Quebec: Let me turn you on to . . .

. . . the beautiful Gerry Boulet and Offenbach.

The late, great Boulet was considered to be one of the innovators of French rock music in Quebec, Wikipedia says. He was the lead singer of Offenbach and went on to release solo albums. Sadly, he died of cancer in 1990 at the age of 44.

Personally, I get a rush every time I hear him sing the song included here, Ayoye, performed at the Montreal Forum in 1985. He had a voice unlike any other: strong, sexy . . . sigh . . . yes, I have a crush on Gerry Boulet, as I’m sure many others did — and still do.

Music is an international medium that often transcends language, so it doesn’t really matter whether you understand the lyrics or not. Indeed, it’s hard to make out the lyrics in many English songs, too.

So, I urge you to put on some headphones, crank up the volume, and be transported back in time to a golden age in Quebec.

We miss Gerry so very much.

A la prochaine, Monsieur Boulet . . .

— Jillian

This is part of a series highlighting some of my favourite Quebec rock musicians in the weeks leading up to La Fête nationale du Québec on June 24.