Quebec Rock

42. Harmonium, Robert Charlebois, Morse Code, Ville Emard Blues Band, Offenbach, Louise Forestier, Beau Dommage, Aut'chose, Marie Claire et Richard Séguin, Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush

Jul 02, 2025

Welcome to John’s Jukebox. Whenever I get around to it, I like to share a 10 song playlist of grooviness… My idea is to highlight music I love and to post sweet performances, outstanding videos and great audio recordings which tickle the ears and leave a lasting impression.

Welcome back my friends. I apologize for my absence. It has been months since I last published a post to John’s Jukebox. Not that there is anyone chomping at the bit to hear my selections, but it is time for me to get back in the game. There are so many wonderful songs to share, and I do miss putting together these 10 song playlists. This past week saw the passing of frontman Serge Fiori of the band Harmonium. It reminds me we are all getting older but also of the musical legacy he leaves behind. Peter Gzowski of CBC’s Morningside once commented, “They are the most important band in this country.” What I think he meant by that was they were able to bridge a gap that existed between English and French Canada. That through music, they tapped into universal love that transcends cultural differences. First a bit about the passing of a legend and how English Canada broke a French only Quebec band.

Un Musicien Parmi Tant D Autres by Harmonium

1974 - Harmonium

Now Harmonium did not appear in a vacuum. There was a rich legacy of music in Quebec which continues today, supported in no small part during the 1970’s by radio station CKGM-FM (CHOM) as mentioned in the piece above. The rest of this list will dive into some of the other artists I new and loved as a teenager in Montreal that were unique to La Belle Provence. For that reason, I will restrict my selections to the time I was living there. Of course, I am just scratching the surface of what you will find there.

Adieu Alouette by Robert Charlebois

Adieu Alouette was written as the theme song for an NFB/CBC co-production by the same name. The piece was added to Charlebois’ next album, 1973’s Solidaritude. You can read more about the 12 episode TV series here.