Félix Leclerc

Félix Leclerc, singer-songwriter, poet, novelist, playwright, actor (b at La Tuque, Qué 2 Aug 1914; d at Île d'Orléans, Qué 8 Aug 1988). He prepared the way for the popular CHANSONNIER movement in Québec and was a major influence on the Québec chanson - a revolutionary, a turning point and a leader. He was a radio announcer in Québec City, and was encouraged by Monseigneur Albert Tessier to publish several radio scripts he had written. In 1939 he made his debut as a singer for Radio-Canada and then, with 2 colleagues, in 1948 founded the VLM troupe, which presented his own plays throughout Québec.

Thereafter, he made his name as a singer and soon became a superstar throughout Europe, particularly in France, as well as in Canada. He created a new Québec chanson which was to serve as the natural channel for the collective identity of the people of Québec. Some of his most popular songs are "Notre sentier,""Moi, mes souliers,""Bozo" and "Le Train du nord." Recurring themes are love of nature, his homeland and mankind.

Félix Leclerc is also one of Québec's literary giants, and his poetic work takes its strength from its simplicity. A 2000-page anthology of his poems and other literary works was published in Montréal in 1994. Among numerous awards he has received are the Grand Prix du disque from the Académie Charles-Cros in Paris (1951, 1958, 1973), the 1975 PRIX DE MUSIQUE CALIXA-LAVALLÉE, the Diplôme d'honneur of the Canadian Conference of the Arts (1976) and the Prix Denise-Pelletier (1977). He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada (1968) and a Chevalier of France's Légion d'honneur (1986).

Author HÉLÈNE PLOUFFE

Links to Other Sites
CBC: Félix Leclerct
A CBC Radio interview with acclaimed Québec folksinger Félix Leclerc.

Félix L’homme de paroles
A concert performed in tribute to legendary Québec musician Félix Leclerc. From the website for the FrancoFolies de Montréal.

Félix Leclerc
A postage stamp featuring an image of Félix Leclerc, a Québec musician, writer, and actor helped revive the Québecois folk song.

No excuse to ignore music of Félix Leclerc now
A review of a new compilation of recordings featuring acclaimed Québec singer Félix Leclerc. From the canada.com website.