Canadian Music Hall of Fame Ceremony Program
Over the course of her 60-year career, Ginette Reno, a living legend of Quebec song, has transcended generations and borders, inspiring admiration and emotion among a huge audience in Canada and internationally. With over two thousand songs, 42 albums, all gold or platinum, and various notable roles on the silver screen and on television, Ginette Reno is now a true icon. Honoured by the Canadian, Quebec and French governments, rewarded countless times by the music industry and hailed by the film industry, the artist has accumulated prestigious distinctions, and the impressive list continues to grow. However, her art and her story will never cease to reflect her authenticity, her warmth, her generosity. Living like this, "in her own way," is also quite an achievement.
Ginette Reno was born Ginette Raynault in Montreal in 1946. She always wanted to be a singer, and the opportunity came in 1960, when she won a talent contest at the tender age of 14. Two years later, she recordes a first single, which sold 40,000 units. After performing in countless clubs, radio and television programs, she triumphed at Montreal's Place des Arts in 1965. She was back the following year with Gilbert Bécaud, who brought her over the pond to perform at Olympia de Paris. In 1967, she performed to sell out audiences for three months at Expo 67's Jardin des Étoiles, before embarking on a major Canadian tour. Two years later, she signed world-wide deal with London's label Decca Records. She represented England at the Tokyo International Popular Song Festival, picking up the Gold and Silver Awards in 1972. This was just the start of an exceptional career.
Tireless and animated by an unbreakable determination, she has recorded over forty gold and platinum albums, in French and in English. The most famous Québécois and French songwriters wrote songs for her. A multidisciplinary artist, she demonstrated her acting skills in Janette Bertrand's television series and numerous cinematic roles, including in Denise Filiatrault's C't'à ton tour, Laura Cadieux, for which she was nominated for a Best actress Genie, and for her brillant performance
Ginette Reno portraying the mother in Jean-Claude Lauzon's Léolo, which she represented at the Cannes Film Festival.
Ginette Reno has been awarded countless artistic awards (JUNOS, ADISQ, Métrostar, Artis, SOCAN, SPACQ, etc.). Consecrated Female Singer of the Year at Gala de l'ADISQ in 1980, she will also go on to win 40 years later! -the Album of the Year (AC) and People's Choice Félix awards for her C'est tout moi album released in 2023. A vivid testimony to the enduring attachment of the public and the relentless recognition of the Canadian music community.
Ginette Reno was named Officer of the Order of Canada in 1982, she became Knight of the Ordre national du Québec in 2004, Knight of the French Order of the Arts and Letters in 2013, she was awarded the Medal of Honour of the National Assembly in 2017, and was made Knight of the Legion of Honor of the French Republic in 2022. May 2025 marks the induction of the phenomenal Québécois singer into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS).
Au fil de 60 années de carrière, Ginette Reno, légende vivante de la chanson québécoise, transcendera les générations et les frontières, suscitant admiration et émotions auprès d'un immense public au Canada et à l'international. Avec plus de deux mille chansons, quarante- deux albums, tous d'or ou de platine, et divers rôles marquants au grand écran comme à la télévision, Ginette Reno est désormais une véritable icône. Honorée par les gouvernements canadien, québécois et français, récompensée à d'innombrables reprises par l'industrie musicale et saluée par celle du cinéma, l'artiste cumule les distinctions prestigieuses, et la liste, imposante, continue de s'allonger. Pourtant, son art et son histoire ne cesseront jamais de refléter son