Joseph Gaétan Robert Gérald (Gerry) Boulet (March 1, 1946 – July 18, 1990) was a French Canadian rock singer."Gerry Boulet". The Canadian Encyclopedia, July 17, 2007. He was most well known as the vocalist for the Quebec rock band Offenbach,"Offenbach – new blues for old". The Globe and Mail, January 18, 1978. he also released two solo albums. He was considered one of the innovators of rock music in French Quebec."Boulet's death has robbed Quebec of part of its soul". Montreal Gazette, July 22, 1990.
Career Born and raised in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, he started in music with the band Les Gants Blancs (literally "The White Gloves"), which evolved into Offenbach, in 1969."A blow to Quebec culture: Gerry Boulet was 'a tender animal who clenched love between his teeth'. His music carried a message for a generation struggling with its identity". The Globe and Mail, July 25, 1990.
In 1985, Boulet recorded his first solo album, Presque 40 ans de blues. The following year, the band performed a farewell concert at the Montreal Forum."Gerry Boulet". QuébecInfoMusique.
In 1987, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Boulet released his second solo album, Rendez-vous doux, in 1989. Some songs in this album clearly talk about his fight to stay alive. The album won him three Félix Awards in 1989 for Best Rock Album, Best Rock Concert, and Best Television Special.
On July 18, 1990, Boulet died in Montreal of cancer."Quebec rocker Gerry Boulet loses fight with cancer". Montreal Gazette, July 19, 1990. Later that year, he won two more posthumous Félix Awards, including Song of the Year for "Un beau grand bateau" and a special tribute award.
Rendez-vous doux held the title of the best-selling album of all time by a Québécois artist through the early 1990s, until it was surpassed in 1996 by Céline Dion's D'eux."Celine Encore: As the Quebec music industry gears up to honor its own at the Felix awards, Dion still dominates". Montreal Gazette, November 2, 1996.
Legacy In 1991, his solo debut was reissued under the new title Gerry, while in 1994 Dan Bigras produced a recording of Boulet's previously unreleased rock opera Jézabel."The enduring legacy of Gerry Boulet". Montreal Gazette, April 30, 1994.
Offenbach reunited in 1996, with Martin Deschamps on vocals."Offenbach, Corbeau in new incarnation: Quebec rock act reunites". Montreal Gazette, November 7, 1996. In 1998, the live album Gerry Boulet...en rappel was released.
Gerry, a biographical film about his life, was launched in theatres on June 15, 2011."Mario Saint-Amand hits the right notes as Gerry Boulet; Film stays true to rocker's life". Montreal Gazette, June 15, 2011. The film was directed by Alain DesRochers, and stars Mario Saint-Amand as Boulet.
Discography Presque 40 ans de blues (1984) Rendez-vous doux (1988) Gerry (1991) Jézabel (1994) Gerry Boulet...en rappel (1998)
References
External links Gerry Boulet Article at thecanadianencyclopedia.ca