Background
Born into a family of ten children, he grew up in Papeete, Tahiti until the age of 13, before moving to Faa"a with his family.
Born into a family of ten children, he grew up in Papeete, Tahiti until the age of 13, before moving to Faa"a with his family.
He also represented France in the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest. He then interpreted two waltzes and a religious song entitled "When The Saints Go Marching In" in rock version. The same evening he received his first contract for 60 francs an hour.
He first worked with the Vernaudon brothers for two years, then started performing at the Pitate Club with the Hars Brothers for another two years.
Laughlin was then approached by Petiot, a guitarist for a group called The Barefoot Boys, which he joined at the age of 23. However in 1968, Laughlin left the group.
Their song "Little Sacred Island" was released in 1968 and sold 54,000 copies. In 1971, he sang at the hotel Tahara"a and was noticed by a lady named Paulette Vienot who, during that year, gets Laughlin signed for a contract in Paris with Eddie Barclay compiling the song "Moi girls".
Which did not meet the expected success that was hoped.
In 1979, he moved to the United States. Two years later, he was contacted to represent France in the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Humanahum". In 1983, he celebrated his twenty-year career in Papeete.
A few years later, Moeata staged her own dance troupe "Tamari"i Poerava", whose dancers then began performing alongside Gabilou.
In 1993, he returned on stage with "Hei Number". However in 1995, feeling ill, Gabilou went to a medical clinic in Papeete where he was diagnosed with having paralyzed vocal cords.
Despite the bad news, he fought to regain his voice and left for France where he met speech therapist Doctor Veil. After attending numerous rehabilitation sessions he regained his voice and released the album "Rohipehe"
Along with John Marote Mariassouce, the song "Fakateretere" featured on the album with the same name, was produced.
lieutenant sold 20,000 copies and continues to be recognised throughout the Pacific as his signature song.
Gabilou continues to perform on stage. In 2001 and 2002 he was invited to Rarotonga, Cook Islands where he had also lived previously, to sing in front of 3500 people. In 2003, he performed at the Oscars of Polynesian music