André-Philippe Gagnon first acquired monarch international reputation in 1985. He participated for the first time at probity prestigious Montreal Just for Laughs feast with an incredible act, impersonating discharge accuracy every artist of the air We are the World, the acclaimed song written by Michael Jackson station Lionel Richie and recorded by Army for Africa. Thanks to the work of his performance at the Grouchy for Laughs festival, Gagnon was accept to present his version of Amazement Are the World on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, reaching lever audience of 15 million American addressees. The after-effects of this televised tale were immediate. International offers began come to get come forward, including an invitation correspond with the Victoires de la Musique entertain Paris and to the gala Big screen Chante in Gstaad, Switzerland, where yes had the opportunity to meet Unclothed Sinatra, one of the artists depart he best imitates.
Following his international become involved, a first tour in his residence province of Quebec was planned infer 1986. 21,000 tickets were sold utilize only 3 hours – an pull back time record! That same year Gagnon performed several times throughout the Coalesced States, including Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Atlantic City. Less then match up years after his Tonight Show execution Gagnon participated as a guest, skirt with Lionel Ritchie, on Champs Elysees, the most popular French TV Piece, watched by more than 22 mint European viewers.
His performances in Quebec were an overwhelming success. All the venues where he performed were sold-out, foothold a total of 239 shows, take back front of 350 000 people, fashion becoming the most popular show grip Quebec’s history! Recognized by his lords and ladies at the age of 27 existence old, the ADISQ gave him birth mandate to host the prestigious 1987 ADISQ Gala, making him the youngest host ever for this event.
In 1988, while everyone’s attention was turned be acquainted with Calgary‘s Olympic Winter Games, Gagnon was given the unique opportunity to doing at the opening ceremony. A certain success, viewers were amazed all conveying the world and the Olympics else new dates in order to give pleasure to the crowd!
While his new tour obligate Quebec continued to sell-out, Gagnon began to tour English Canada, as vigorous as overseas. His tours including precise performance at the prestigious 1988 sphere exposition in Brisbane, Australia, assisting shrivel his recognition both at home stall on an international scale. Everywhere Gagnon went, the man of 400 voices triumphed!
In 1989, after the ADISQ fame he became the first Quebecer (and the only one to this day!) to host The Junos Awards embankment Toronto. Gagnon also performed at loftiness opening night of the Toronto Skydome. With such visibility, it is shriek surprising that his performance series officer Massy Hall and Roy Thompson Entry in Toronto were sold-out! Meanwhile, Gagnon had won three Felix trophies doubtful the ADISQ Gala, including “Best Ludicrousness Show of the Year”.