Last night, Caesars Palace hosted a “Celebration of Life” event to honour René Angélil, and among the luminaries on hand to pay tribute to the late husband of Céline Dion was legendary Canadian music producer David Foster.
Prior to the event, Foster spoke with ET Canada’s Natasha Gargiulo to share a sweet story about Céline and René. “He had the right name,” Foster says of Angélil. “He was an angel.”
In addition to sharing his memories of Angélil, Foster also sat at a piano and performed “Colour of My Love,” the title track from Dion’s 1993 Foster-produced blockbuster album.
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In his speech, Foster, who was instrumental in Dion breaking through into the English-language market, recalled the first time he met Angélil in 1989. “I’ll be honest — I kind of assumed he was in some kind of Quebec mafia,” Foster quipped, adding that he was awestruck when Angélil told him he had mortgaged his house in order to launch Dion’s career.
Related: Celine Dion Breaks Down During Emotional Vegas Memorial Honoring Late Husband Rene Angelil
“Can you imagine how that affected my decision to get involved?” said Foster. “How could I say no to the Quebec mafia?”
On Angélil’s acumen as a manager, Foster offered high praise.
“How did he know to be just right in every situation? How did he know how to navigate the treacherous water of the music business? Where did he learn how to treat everyone with kindness and equality? How did he learn how to create and maintain a global career? How did he learn not just sympathy, but empathy,” Foster said.
Related: Celine Dion, Family And Friends Remember Rene Angelil
“I’m sure there’s probably a kinder, gentler person on the planet other than Rene,” noted Foster, “but I have never met him.”
The evening’s final speaker was Angelil’s widow, Celine Dion, who gave an emotional tribute to her late husband:
