Fernand Gignac born 23 March 1934

Fernand Gignac (March 23, 1934 - August 18, 2006) was a French Canadian singer and actor. He was one of the most prolific artists in Quebec, whose career spanned six decades. 

 A native of Montreal, Quebec, Gignac's career began at the age of fourteen when he sang at the metropolitan cabaret, Faison Doré. He studied singing and piano and achieved a dramatic art degree at the Conservatoire Lassalle.

In 1951, he was hired as the chief announcer for Radio-Canada before working on radio station HPLC in Montreal (1954-1957). Also in 1957 he recorded his first song, "Je n'ai fait que passer," which became an instant hit in Quebec. In 1959, he won his first music award from CKAC radio in Montreal for his song, "Le tango des fauvettes" earning him the nickname Mr. Jukebox.

Over his six-decade career, Gignac would write over 500 songs and record 34 albums, and sell over five million albums in total, with his most successful song coming in 1963 titled "Donnez-moi des roses," which he would, by popular demand, perform at every concert until his death.

 

In 1964, while his songs "La Montagne des amoureux” and “Le Train des amoureux” are at the tops of the charts in Quebec, Fernand Gignac won the popular title of "Mr. Broadcasting" at Artists Gala.  In 1965, he received the trophy for best interpreter of

the disc Festival for " La Chanson d'Orphée.”

He would also make several television appearances over his lifetime, his most well known being his recurring role on the series "Symphorien."

Fernand Gignac died Friday, August 18, 2006, at the Saint-Luc Hospital of Montreal of complications due to hepatitis, aged 72. (Info various sources mainly findagrave.com)