Gerry Boulet
Encyclopedia
Joseph Gaétan Robert Gérald (Gerry) Boulet (March 1, 1946-July 18, 1990) was a Canadian
rock
singer. Most famous as vocalist for the Quebec
rock band Offenbach
, he also released two solo albums. He is considered one of the innovators of rock music in the joual
language of French Quebec.
Born and raised in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, he started in music with the band Les Gants Blancs, which evolved into Offenbach, in 1969.
In 1984, friction within the group led Boulet to record his first solo album, Presque 40 ans de blues. The following year, the band performed a farewell concert at the Montreal Forum
.
In 1987 he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Boulet released his second solo album, Rendez-vous doux, In 1989, the album won him three Félix Award
s. Some songs in this album clearly talk about his fight to stay alive.
On July 18, 1990, Boulet died in Montreal. Offenbach later reunited with Martin Deschamps
on vocals.
Three more albums, including a live album
and a rock opera
, were released after Boulet's death.
A film titled Gerry
about his life was launched in theatres on 15 June 2011. The film is directed by Alain Desrochers
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
singer. Most famous as vocalist for the 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....
rock band Offenbach
Offenbach (band)
Offenbach is a Quebec blues rock band, initially active from 1969 to 1985. Following a successful reunion tour in 1996, the band released a new album in 2005.-History:...
, he also released two solo albums. He is considered one of the innovators of rock music in the joual
Joual
Joual is the common name for the linguistic features of basilectal Quebec French that are associated with the French-speaking working class in Montreal which has become a symbol of national identity for a large number of artists from that area...
language of French Quebec.
Born and raised in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, he started in music with the band Les Gants Blancs, which evolved into Offenbach, in 1969.
In 1984, friction within the group led Boulet to record his first solo album, Presque 40 ans de blues. The following year, the band performed a farewell concert at the Montreal Forum
Montreal Forum
The Montreal Forum was an indoor arena located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Called "the most storied building in hockey history" by Sporting News, it was home of the National Hockey League's Montreal Maroons from 1924 to 1938 and the Montreal Canadiens from 1926 to 1996...
.
In 1987 he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Boulet released his second solo album, Rendez-vous doux, In 1989, the album won him three Félix Award
Félix Award
The Félix Award is a music award, given on an annual basis to artists in the Canadian province of Quebec.The first Félix awards were presented on September 23, 1979, by the Association du disque, de l'industrie du spectacle québécois...
s. Some songs in this album clearly talk about his fight to stay alive.
On July 18, 1990, Boulet died in Montreal. Offenbach later reunited with Martin Deschamps
Martin Deschamps
Martin Deschamps is a Canadian rock singer from Quebec. He records and performs both as a solo artist and as the lead vocalist for the reunited Offenbach.-Young age:...
on vocals.
Three more albums, including a live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
and a rock opera
Rock opera
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include...
, were released after Boulet's death.
A film titled Gerry
Gerry (2011 film)
Gerry is a 2011 biographical film shot in Quebec about rock singer Gerry Boulet from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec written by Natalie Petrowski and directed by Alain Desrochers. The lead role of Boulet was played by Mario Saint-Amand....
about his life was launched in theatres on 15 June 2011. The film is directed by Alain Desrochers
Alain Desrochers
Alain Desrochers is a Canadian film director and screenwriter. Desrochers studied first at St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu College in the early 1980s and then at Concordia University earning himself a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the end of the decade. He began his career by directing music videos and...
.
Discography
- Presque 40 ans de blues (1984)
- Rendez-vous doux (1988)
- Gerry (1991)
- Jézabel (1994)
- Gerry Boulet...en rappel (1998)