Zachary Richard 'Last Kiss' album

Singer-songwriter Zachary Richard’s roots are deeply planted in his native Louisiana. Inspired by the various styles of the region, his songs go beyond the limitations of any particular genre. Zachary Richard’s (pronounced Ree-shard) style is uniquely his own.

Zachary received his first recording contract at the age of 21 with Electra records. That album, HIGH TIME, was lost in the maelstrom surrounding the merger of WEA and was not released until 2000 when the original masters were found in a vault in New York City and made available on Rhino Hand Made.

From 1976 until 1981, Zachary lived in Montreal, recording seven French language albums including two gold albums, MARDI GRAS and MIGRATION. Despite critical and commercial success in the French-speaking world, Zachary returned to Louisiana in the early 1980s and began another phase of his career, this time recording in English.

He recorded two albums for Rounder Records, MARDI GRAS MAMBO and the perennial favorite ZACK’S BON TON, before signing with A&M, and recording two albums, WOMEN IN THE ROOM, and SNAKEBITE LOVE. Non-stop touring and the strength of these recordings guaranteed Zachary an international following.

In 1994, after an extended absence from the French market, Zachary returned to Canada to play at the Acadian World Congress in New Brunswick. Passionately inspired by his heritage once again, Zachary began a new collection of French songs, resulting in the double platinum album CAP ENRAGÉ. The album established Zachary as one of the foremost singer-songwriters in the French-speaking world.

After a hiatus of nearly 15 years, Zachary returns to the U.S. Market with the new album, LAST KISS. The songs are deeply rooted in Louisiana experience. “Dansé” (pronounced Don-Say, i.e. French for Dancing) celebrates the dance tradition of Cajun Louisiana. “The Levee Broke” was inspired by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (Zachary spent nearly a year raising money for hurricane relief in France and Canada, creating two foundations, SOS Musiciens and Solidarité Acadie-Louisiane and distributing aid to musicians and schools impacted by the storms). “Last Kiss” deals with forbidden love. Louisiana is not the only source of inspiration. “Sweet Daniel” was inspired by the social crisis that is threatening the native populations of the Canadian North.

In 2006, Zachary met a young Innu girl who told him of her terrible experience at the loss of her brother, Daniel. Young children in the communities of Northern Québec had taken to sniffing gasoline to get high, carrying a plastic bag filled with gas. The young girl related how her brother got too close to a space heater and the gasoline exploded, burning him to death. He was 9 years old. In August of 2008, Zachary Richard participated in the celebrations commemorating the 400th anniversary of the founding of Québec. Sharing the stage with Céline Dion, together they sang two of Zachary’s songs. Zachary has known Céline for many years but this event was the first time the two had sung together. Inspired by the emotion of their collaboration, Zachary asked her if she would sing on his latest album. She was happy to oblige. The song they share is the Robbie Robertson classic “Acadian Driftwood.” Both Zachary and Céline are of French heritage, and the song holds a meaning for them that goes beyond the realm of musical performance. This collaboration is not only the occasion to sing a beautiful song, but also to tell a story which is dear to both of them. Produced by Larry Klein, the song is tribute to the resistance of the French community of North America.

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Zachary Richard - Last Kiss