Norman Iceberg
Encyclopedia
Norman Joseph Bédard also known by the former stage names Norman Iceberg and Norman Joseph, is a Canadian singer-songwriter.
underground music scene in the early-80s under the name Norman Iceberg. One of a handful of gender-bending new wave artists to come out following the success of artists like Duran Duran
, Boy George
, and Gary Numan
, Bedard was recruited by music producer Tony Green, responsible for France Joli
’s 1979 disco hit Come To Me.
Norman Bedard's experimental, minimal electro sound was therefore remodeled to cater to the dance club scene as evident on his debut, Be My Human Tonight (RCA
). Person(a)
, released in 1987, was a conceptual collection of synthpop songs reflecting a young man’s own vision of life, and featuring keyboardists such as Lenny Pinkas (Men Without Hats
), Mario Spezza (Rational Youth
) and Mic Lussier. The cover photograph of him posing nude - pre-dating Prince’s Lovesexy
by several months - stirred up controversy. A few selections taken from Person(a) were used for TVA’s Le Match de la Vie hosted by Quebec
author and former politician Claude Charron
.
On stage, careful attention was paid to set design and visual effects; Norman would then sometimes only be backed by a pre-recorded soundtrack and live vocalists such as Claudine Mercier
and Louise Litsz, giving them entire freedom to use props and screens, a style made popular by American
performance artist Laurie Anderson
. 1988 saw the release of Gotta Move.
With its frenetic, energetic beat, 1989’s Kiss the Beauty was a favourite for months in night clubs. The title track's music video was directed by filmmaker Eric Canuel
. A couple of years later, We Act got him a “Best Video” nomination at the Musique Plus (his native Quebec
equivalent to MTV
) Video Awards.
In the early-90s, American music industry executives strongly advised him to change his name in order to avoid any confusion with new rap artists Ice-T
, Ice Cube
and Vanilla Ice
. However, with a strong gay following, Norman decided to keep using his stage name, performing notably at the 1992 Los Angeles
Gay Pride
, the notorious Whisky A Go-Go, as well as Prince’s Glam Slam, backed by dancers Viktor Manoel
(David Bowie
’s Glass Spider tour), Luca Tommassini and Carrie Ann Inaba
(Madonna
’s Girlie Show tour). He also performed acoustic sets with American actor Robert Consoli
on guitar.
Ending a series of concerts with a five-piece rock band at The Roxy Theatre
in Los Angeles
, Norman’s actual last appearance under the name Norman Iceberg was on the Syndicated TV Show Sheena Metal's Freakin' Rock Review in 1993. He also recorded as Norman Joseph in 1994 before deciding to come back to Norman Bedard, his birth last name.
Committed to his craft, and now on his own, Norman Bedard continued writing songs, working with collaborators such as Kevin Komoda (Rational Youth, Sarah McLachlan
), and self-produced several pre-prod albums not available commercially, which revealed a more subdued side. Norman’s newer material recorded in various studios, offered the sound of a simple and mature man embracing life. With his goal of easing our souls, he termed his new music “zen pop”.
In November 2007, Norman announced via his website that a brand new album scheduled for release in 2008 was in the works. The album was confirmed to be titled Vital on March 9, 2009, with a release date set for Spring 2009. Vital, and a remastered version of We Act were both released simultaneously on July 15, 2009. Wonderful was the first single from the album Vital, released on March 2, 2010. Also released on the same date was Norman Iceberg's Crawl (Alternate Version), originally recorded in the 1990s at Men Without Hats
’ home studio.
On June 1, 2010, Norman released the second single from his Vital album, A Day With My Self, described by Richard Morris of Pink Paper
as a "folky ditty". It was followed with the release of Norman Iceberg's 1+1=2, also recorded in the 1990s at Men Without Hats’ home studio and newly remastered in 2010. The following single, Thank You, was released on October 4, 2010. Next, Norman gave us Sleepytime, then Space, released on February 8, 2011. Writer Jack Foley of IndieLondon called Space a "chilled pop record" and "the sort of offering that has an instant catchy appeal to it".
Early years: Performing as Norman Iceberg
A graphic artist turned performance artist, Norman Bedard emerged from the MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
underground music scene in the early-80s under the name Norman Iceberg. One of a handful of gender-bending new wave artists to come out following the success of artists like Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
, Boy George
Boy George
Boy George is a British singer-songwriter who was part of the English New Romantic movement which emerged in the early 1980s. He helped give androgyny an international stage with the success of Culture Club during the 1980s. His music is often classified as blue-eyed soul, which is influenced by...
, and Gary Numan
Gary Numan
Gary Numan is an English singer, composer, and musician, most widely known for his chart-topping 1979 hits "Are 'Friends' Electric?" and "Cars". His signature sound consisted of heavy synthesizer hooks fed through guitar effects pedals.Numan is considered a pioneer of commercial electronic music...
, Bedard was recruited by music producer Tony Green, responsible for France Joli
France Joli
France Joli is a Canadian singer, born 1963, who is best known for the disco classic "Come to Me."-Teen stardom:A native of Montreal, Quebec, Joli grew up in the Montreal suburb of Dorion...
’s 1979 disco hit Come To Me.
RCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
). Person(a)
Person(a)
Person is a full-length studio album by Norman Iceberg. Recorded and mixed at Marko Studios in Montreal, it was released in 1987. The musical style of the album is a blend of experimental electronic music and commercial synthpop, and featured keyboardists such as Lenny Pinkas , Mario Spezza and...
, released in 1987, was a conceptual collection of synthpop songs reflecting a young man’s own vision of life, and featuring keyboardists such as Lenny Pinkas (Men Without Hats
Men Without Hats
Men Without Hats is a Canadian New Wave group from Montreal, Quebec. Their music was characterized by the distinctive baritone voice of their lead singer Ivan Doroschuk as well as their elaborate use of synthesizers and electronic processing...
), Mario Spezza (Rational Youth
Rational Youth
Rational Youth is a Canadian New Wave band, originally formed in 1981 in Montreal, Quebec, by synthesizer wizards Tracy Howe, former singer and drummer for Montreal punk band "The Normals", and Bill Vorn, both of whom idolized the German synthpop pioneers Kraftwerk.Among the band's notable singles...
) and Mic Lussier. The cover photograph of him posing nude - pre-dating Prince’s Lovesexy
Lovesexy
Lovesexy is the tenth studio album by Prince, released on May 10, 1988. Lovesexy was issued as a substitute record after the release of the infamous The Black Album had been suddenly cancelled. The Black Album and Lovesexy almost act as companion pieces, sharing the song "When 2 R in Love", but...
by several months - stirred up controversy. A few selections taken from Person(a) were used for TVA’s Le Match de la Vie hosted by Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
author and former politician Claude Charron
Claude Charron
Claude Charron is a former CEGEP teacher, provincial politician, writer and broadcaster. He graduated from the Université de Montréal with a degree in political science. During 1969 and 1970 he taught at Cégep Édouard-Montpetit and the Cégep du Vieux Montréal.In 1970, Claude Charron entered...
.
On stage, careful attention was paid to set design and visual effects; Norman would then sometimes only be backed by a pre-recorded soundtrack and live vocalists such as Claudine Mercier
Claudine Mercier
Claudine Mercier is a Québécoise comedian, singer, actress and impressionist.Mercier began her performing career in the early-80’s singing with the a cappella vocal group Artishows for several years, and with Canadian singer Norman Iceberg...
and Louise Litsz, giving them entire freedom to use props and screens, a style made popular by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
performance artist Laurie Anderson
Laurie Anderson
Laura Phillips "Laurie" Anderson is an American experimental performance artist, composer and musician who plays violin and keyboards and sings in a variety of experimental music and art rock styles. Initially trained as a sculptor, Anderson did her first performance-art piece in the late 1960s...
. 1988 saw the release of Gotta Move.
With its frenetic, energetic beat, 1989’s Kiss the Beauty was a favourite for months in night clubs. The title track's music video was directed by filmmaker Eric Canuel
Eric Canuel
Eric Canuel is a film director and actor from Quebec, Canada.Eric Canuel began his career in the mid-1980s making music videos for such artists as Paul Piché, Sass Jordan, Norman Iceberg, Vilain Pingouin and Sylvain Cossette...
. A couple of years later, We Act got him a “Best Video” nomination at the Musique Plus (his native Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
equivalent to MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
) Video Awards.
Transition: From Norman Iceberg to Norman Bedard
ICE-T
* Ice-T, an American rapper and actor* ICE T , a tilting model of the German InterCityExpress series of high-speed trains...
, Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
and Vanilla Ice
Vanilla Ice
Robert Matthew Van Winkle , best known by his stage name Vanilla Ice, is an American rapper, extreme athlete and home improvement television personality...
. However, with a strong gay following, Norman decided to keep using his stage name, performing notably at the 1992 Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
Gay Pride
Gay pride
LGBT pride or gay pride is the concept that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity...
, the notorious Whisky A Go-Go, as well as Prince’s Glam Slam, backed by dancers Viktor Manoel
Viktor Manoel
Viktor Manoel is a Mexican-American dancer, choreographer, writer, and actor. Viktor Manoel was born and raised in Mexico. His charismatic, androgynous look and unique style of dancing captured the imaginations of choreographers Édouard Lock of Canadian dance group La La La Human Steps and Toni...
(David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
’s Glass Spider tour), Luca Tommassini and Carrie Ann Inaba
Carrie Ann Inaba
Carrie Ann Inaba is an American dancer, choreographer, actress, game show host, and singer.She started her career as a singer in Japan, but became best known for her dancing, first introducing herself to American audiences as one of the original Fly Girls on the sketch comedy series In Living Color...
(Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
’s Girlie Show tour). He also performed acoustic sets with American actor Robert Consoli
Robert Consoli
Robert Consoli was an American actor and musician.Robert Consoli was born and raised in Bradford, Massachusetts, in a family of Italian heritage. After graduating from Haverhill High School, he moved to California in the late-80’s to pursue live stage acting...
on guitar.
Ending a series of concerts with a five-piece rock band at The Roxy Theatre
The Roxy Theatre
The Roxy Theatre is a famous nightclub, on the Sunset Strip, in West Hollywood, California. The Roxy is owned by Lou Adler and Adler's son, Nic, who operates the club.- History :...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Norman’s actual last appearance under the name Norman Iceberg was on the Syndicated TV Show Sheena Metal's Freakin' Rock Review in 1993. He also recorded as Norman Joseph in 1994 before deciding to come back to Norman Bedard, his birth last name.
Committed to his craft, and now on his own, Norman Bedard continued writing songs, working with collaborators such as Kevin Komoda (Rational Youth, Sarah McLachlan
Sarah McLachlan
Sarah Ann McLachlan, OC, OBC is a Canadian musician, singer and songwriter. Known for her emotional ballads and mezzo-soprano vocal range, as of 2006, she has sold over 40 million albums worldwide. McLachlan's best-selling album to date is Surfacing, for which she won two Grammy Awards and four...
), and self-produced several pre-prod albums not available commercially, which revealed a more subdued side. Norman’s newer material recorded in various studios, offered the sound of a simple and mature man embracing life. With his goal of easing our souls, he termed his new music “zen pop”.
In November 2007, Norman announced via his website that a brand new album scheduled for release in 2008 was in the works. The album was confirmed to be titled Vital on March 9, 2009, with a release date set for Spring 2009. Vital, and a remastered version of We Act were both released simultaneously on July 15, 2009. Wonderful was the first single from the album Vital, released on March 2, 2010. Also released on the same date was Norman Iceberg's Crawl (Alternate Version), originally recorded in the 1990s at Men Without Hats
Men Without Hats
Men Without Hats is a Canadian New Wave group from Montreal, Quebec. Their music was characterized by the distinctive baritone voice of their lead singer Ivan Doroschuk as well as their elaborate use of synthesizers and electronic processing...
’ home studio.
On June 1, 2010, Norman released the second single from his Vital album, A Day With My Self, described by Richard Morris of Pink Paper
Pink Paper
The Pink Paper is a UK publication covering gay and lesbian issues. Founded in 1987 as a newspaper, since June 2009 it has been available only on the Internet....
as a "folky ditty". It was followed with the release of Norman Iceberg's 1+1=2, also recorded in the 1990s at Men Without Hats’ home studio and newly remastered in 2010. The following single, Thank You, was released on October 4, 2010. Next, Norman gave us Sleepytime, then Space, released on February 8, 2011. Writer Jack Foley of IndieLondon called Space a "chilled pop record" and "the sort of offering that has an instant catchy appeal to it".
External links
- Norman Bedard's Official Website
- Official Norman Bedard MySpace Page
- http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/lac-bac/result/all-tout.php?FormName=Fed+Simple+Search&SourceQuery=&ResultCount=5&PageNum=1&MaxDocs=-1&SortSpec=score+desc&Language=eng&SearchIn_1=&Operator_1=AND&SearchIn_2=&SearchInText_2=&Operator_2=AND&SearchIn_3=&SearchInText_3=&Sources_1=amicus&Sources_2=mikan&Sources_3=genapp&Sources_4=web&soundex=on&cainInd=&SearchInText_1=norman+icebergLibrary and Archives Canada/Bibliothèque et Archives Canada]
- The Quebec Gay Archives/Archives gaies du Québec
- Norman Iceberg discography at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...
.