1. Gilles Vigneault was born in Natashquan, in the Cote-Nord region of Quebec.
12 Facts About Gilles Vigneault
1. 2.
Gilles Vigneault started writing poetry during his studies at the seminary in Rimouski, and by the 1950s was publishing poems and writing songs for other performers.
3.
In 1960, Gilles Vigneault made his singing debut at the L'Arlequin club in Quebec City, followed by a successful Montreal concert later that year.
4.
In 1962, he recorded his first album, Gilles Vigneault, and received the Grand Prix du Disque from Montreal radio station CKAC.
5.
Gilles Vigneault's reputation grew in Quebec and beyond with the success of his song "Mon Pays", from the soundtrack of the NFB film The Snow Has Melted on the Manicouagan in 1965.
6.
Gilles Vigneault performed in major Canadian concert halls, including Montreal's Place des Arts, the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, and at Toronto's Massey Hall.
7.
On 13 August 1974,130,000 spectators came together on the Plains of Abraham for the Superfrancofete, where Gilles Vigneault participated in a historic concert alongside Felix Leclerc and Robert Charlebois.
8.
At the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day concert "Les 5 Jean-Baptistes" on Montreal's Mount Royal on 24 June 1976, Gilles Vigneault performed together with Robert Charlebois, Claude Leveillee, Jean-Pierre Ferland, and Yvon Deschamps.
9.
The main subjects of Gilles Vigneault's writing are Quebec and its people, as well as human relationships, love, and everyday life.
10.
Gilles Vigneault is concerned with environmental issues and has written songs and tales for children.
11.
Gilles Vigneault has seven children: Michel, Louis, Francois, Pascale, Guillaume, Jessica, and Benjamin.
12.
Gilles Vigneault is a Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec, Knight of the Legion d'honneur, and Officier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.