Les Cowboys Fringants singer Karl Tremblay dies of prostate cancer
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“He was an exemplary warrior facing this illness and a model for all of us,” his bandmates said.
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Published Nov 15, 2023 • Last updated 9 hours ago • 3 minute read
Karl Tremblay of the Quebec band Les Cowboys Fringants, at a Bell Centre show in 2021. Photo by Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette files
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Karl Tremblay, the lead singer of popular Quebec folk rock band Les Cowboy Fringants, has died at 47, of cancer.
The artist revealed in July 2022 that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, had been battling it for several years and was being followed by specialists.
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Members of the group announced Tremblay’s death on Instagram and Facebook, expressing “an indescribable sadness.”
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“He was an exemplary warrior facing this illness and a model for all of us. We want to thank all those who showed us love during our last shows; we were moved by your support,” said the message by band members Marie-Annick Lépine, Jean-François Pauzé and Jéröme Dupras.
The record label La Tribu also announced the death of the singer, calling Tremblay a “man of integrity, generosity and loyalty.”
On Feb. 28, 2023, Tremblay’s wife Lépine announced on Facebook that his chemotherapy treatments were not working anymore and that Tremblay would begin another treatment after a relapse in March.
He continued to accompany the band on stage, despite chemotherapy treatments. The group decided to cancel several dates last summer, before postponing all the shows scheduled for the fall.
“I decided to listen to you, to listen to myself also. To take a break,” Tremblay told fans on a video on Instagram at the end of September. “We are not dead yet, we are not dead, we are working on it,” he added, with a smile.
In July, the group offered a historic benefit concert at Quebec City’s Festival d’été, before a crowd of 90,000 fans on the Plains of Abraham.
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Despite this year’s challenges, the group was named Group of the Year at the ADISQ gala. Tremblay was not present.
Born in Montreal on Oct. 28, 1976, Tremblay met guitarist Pauzé in his basement, when the two played Junior B hockey in Repentigny. They formed the band in 1995 with violinist Lépine, who would later marry Tremblay.
The group quietly dropped its first album, “12 grandes chansons” in 1997, at which point Les Cowboys also included Dominique “Domlebo” Lebeau on drums and Jérôme Dupras on bass guitar and double bass. After playing the Francofolies festival in Montreal, the group gained popularity with its 2003 live album “Attache ta tuque!” and Tremblay gained a reputation for drawing crowds with his rare enthusiasm.
After 2004, francophones in Europe began to discover the group, and Quebecers were amazed to see French audiences singing along to the lyrics of their Cowboys.
The group managed to maintain its popularity over time, winning the ADISQ’s Félix Award for best group of the year in 2003, 2004, 2011, 2020 and 2021, thanks in large part to the remarkable ability of Tremblay to attract crowds and keep them coming back for more.
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Tremblay sang mainly the lyrics of his bandmate Pauzé, but he did compose some songs, including the touching “Ruelle Laurier” on the album “Break Syndical.”
On X (formerly Twitter), Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante announced the city would lower its flags to half-mast in Tremblay’s honour “the loss of a giant.” Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand said his city would do the same.
Ce soir, nous pleurons la perte d’un géant.
La Ville de Montréal mettra ses drapeaux en berne pour honorer la mémoire de Karl Tremblay. Il est un grand artiste, dont la voix et les chansons ont soulevé le Québec en entier.
Mes sympathies aux fans, aux membres des Cowboys et à… pic.twitter.com/zehQbUfp44
— Valérie Plante (@Val_Plante) November 15, 2023
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Quebec Premier François Legault called Tremblay “A great star, a beautiful star, a shooting star” and said all of Quebec is crying from news of his death.
Une grande étoile, une belle étoile. Une étoile filante. Karl Tremblay nous a quitté et c’est tout le Québec qui pleure. Mes plus sincères condoléances à sa famille et à ses proches.
— François Legault (@francoislegault) November 15, 2023
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Federal heritage minister Pascale St-Onge called Tremblay’s death “a great loss for all of Quebec.”
“‘L’Amérique pleure’ was my favorite Cowboys Fringants song, and today it’s Quebec and francophones across the country who are mourning you leaving now, Karl,” she wrote.
The death of Karl Tremblay is a great loss for all of Quebec.
Karl left his mark on French and Quebec culture. We will never forget his voice and his courage.
I send my condolences to his family and loved ones.
Thank you for the beautiful music, Karl. 💫
— Pascale St-Onge (@PascaleStOnge_) November 15, 2023
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Depuis 25 ans, avec Les Cowboys Fringants, Karl Tremblay a marqué l’histoire de la musique au Québec. Il restera à jamais notre étoile filante. Toutes nos condoléances à Marie-Annick, Jean-François, Jérôme, ainsi qu’à sa famille et à ses proches. 💙 pic.twitter.com/KLftLJZwR8
— ADISQ_ (@ADISQ_) November 15, 2023
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Nous partageons la tristesse du Québec à la suite du décès du chanteur Karl Tremblay. Avec les Cowboys Fringants, il aura fait chanter et vivre des moments inoubliables à toutes les générations aux quatre coins du Québec et ailleurs. Nos plus sincères condoléances à ses proches. pic.twitter.com/QaKkt649Bc
— Place des Arts (@Place_des_Arts) November 15, 2023
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