On the occasion of World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2024, celebrated by UNESCO, the United Music Foundation is honoring singer Rose Laurens (1951–2018) and her husband, composer Jean-Pierre Goussaud (1948–1990), by preserving a collection of 47 8-track 1/2" master tapes in high resolution in Geneva. These tapes were recorded in Jean-Pierre Goussaud's home studio between 1977 and 1994.
Rose Laurens, renowned for creating the role of Fantine in Les Misérables (1980) and for her iconic hits such as Africa (1982), Mamy Yoko, Vivre (1983), Cheyenne, Quand tu pars, American Love (1985) and La nuit (1986), made a lasting impact on the francophone music scene with her unique voice and diverse repertoire.
Jean-Pierre Goussaud, meanwhile, composed hit songs for many famous artists, including Nicole Croisille, Dalida, Johnny Hallyday, Céline Dion, Sylvie Vartan, Gérard Lenorman, and Michèle Torr, establishing himself as a key figure in francophone music.
Due to poor storage conditions, the tapes — mostly Ampex 406 and 456 types affected by sticky shed syndrome and mold — required extensive restoration work. The preservation of these tapes has not only uncovered previously unreleased recordings by Rose Laurens, paving the way for a future album project, but also revealed unheard demos from other francophone music legends, such as Dalida, Hervé Vilard, and Philippe Clay.
These treasures were entrusted to the United Music Foundation by the artists' family, ensuring their preservation for future generations.
The United Music Foundation carried out this preservation project thanks to the support of Mr. Jean-Marc D’Angio, a close friend of the artists' family, as well as a subsidy from the City of Geneva.
An excerpt from an unreleased song by Rose Laurens will be unveiled on this page on October 27, 2024.
Some tapes preserved
Some images of the restoration process
