The fifth of eight Paiement children, Rachel was born in Sturgeon Falls in 1955, five years after her brother André. Despite the age difference the two were inseparable as children, a bond that would later come to fruition when André invited Rachel to join his "Coopérative des artistes du Nouvel-Ontario", the musical and theatrical troupe that would eventually serve as the launching pad for Cano.

Rachel’s earliest musical influences were her mother’s ‘Broadway’ albums, plus the experience of singing in church. Other musical influences included The Beatles, Gordon Lightfoot and Jimi Hendrix. Her biggest influence, however, was singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell.

As a teenager Rachel studied voice and piano with sister Margaret at ‘Notre Dame de Lourdes’. She taught herself guitar by listening to older siblings Denise and André.

Rachel joined “le Theâtre du Nouvel-Ontario” in 1973 for the production of “La vie et les temps de Medéric Boileau”. In 1974 she moved from Sudbury to southern Ontario to join the club band “Morgan”, a group that boasted many famous alumnus including Daniel Lanois (producer for U2 and Peter Gabriel), Bill Dillon (Boomers, Counting Crows, Robbie Robertson), as well as Cano members David Burt and John Doerr.

In July 1975 Rachel returned to Sudbury and joined Cano. She remained with the band until October 1980, at which time she moved to Vancouver where she married songwriter Jim Vallance.

In Vancouver Rachel became an in-demand, first-call session singer, among other things working on a Tom Jones television series singing backing vocals for Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, Dusty Springfield, Isaac Hayes and many other guests. After the Tom Jones series she sang for Paul Anka, again performing behind many famous vocalists (jazz legend Peggie Lee was a highlight).

In January 1985 Rachel helped Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance and David Foster compose “Tears Are Not Enough”, the Canadian song for African Famine Relief (the song raised more than $3-million). Recorded in Toronto, “Tears” was performed by Gordon Lightfoot, Burton Cummings, Geddy Lee, Neil Young and Rachel’s original hero ... Joni Mitchell.

Years of sessions later Rachel decided to ‘call it a day’ and concentrate on being a mother. At this writing her 17-year-old son ‘Jimmy-J’ is a published songwriter/musician, following in his parents' footsteps.