Jean Lalonde

Lalonde, Jean

Jean (Gabriel) Lalonde. Singer, host, administrator, b Montreal 4 May 1914, d there 6 Jun 1991. After studying voice with José Delaquerrière, he began his career in 1933 at radio station CKCO in Ottawa, often singing songs made famous by Bing Crosby, to whom he was compared. In 1934 he returned to Montreal, where station CKAC hired him as a singer and a host and where he remained for about 20 years. One of his programs, 'Le Don Juan de la chanson' (ca 1936-45), was very popular, and its title became associated with his name. He also participated 1941-3 in the CKAC series 'Café-concert Kraft.' He sang in French, English, and Spanish, sometimes under the pseudonym Jack Forbes, and performed many US and South American hits, which he translated into French. About 1955 he moved to St-Jérôme, north of Montreal, and opened radio station CKJL, which he owned until 1974. On the CBC radio program 'Au temps du 78 tours' (1971) he relived the best moments of his singing career. 'Petite madame bonsoir,' 'Sous le pont des soupirs,' and 'Vous qui passez sans me voir' were among his biggest hits. Several of his most successful songs were rereleased on an RCA LP. After he gave up his station in St-Jérôme, he left the world of entertainment, except that in 1974 he was co-host with his son, Pierre, for 'Les Don Juan' on radio CKLM and in 1977 appeared on 'Dimanshowsoir,' part of the 'Beaux Dimanches' series on CBC TV.