They always seemed to be on, more often than the Toronto Maple Leafs, and a lot more often than the Vancouver Canucks.
At the start of every game was the national anthem.
No one did a more Canadian rendition of the national anthem than Roger Doucet – because he did it half in English and half in French.
He died more than 40 years ago, but it’s his birthday again, and a chance to look back at another uniquely Canadian institution.
“O Canada in French”
It was in Grade 4 that we learned the Canadian national anthem in French. We asked our teacher, Mrs. Lastuka, to teach us. She was perfectly suited because she was the French teacher at St. Joseph’s School.
It was in Grade 4 that we learned the Canadian national anthem in French. We asked our teacher, Mrs. Lastuka, to teach us. She was perfectly suited because she was the French teacher at St. Joseph’s School.
As she went through the words with us, I remember Mike Balint and Tim Nestorowicz thinking the same thing I was – we were aided by hearing the anthem on “Hockey Night in Canada” sung by Roger Doucet.
To this day, I remember the words to “O Canada” in French, and it dates back to Grade 4.
National anthem
Until recently, I had forgotten Roger Douctet also sang his unique version of “O Canada” at Montreal Expo baseball games, and at Montreal Alouette football games.
Until recently, I had forgotten Roger Douctet also sang his unique version of “O Canada” at Montreal Expo baseball games, and at Montreal Alouette football games.
No wonder it sticks out in my mind – I heard it a fair bit.
The singer
As it turns out, Wikipedia reveals Roger Doucet was a Canadian tenor who first sang the national anthem at a Montreal Canadiens game on October 13, 1970. He would be inducted into the Order of Canada in 1980 for his efforts.
As it turns out, Wikipedia reveals Roger Doucet was a Canadian tenor who first sang the national anthem at a Montreal Canadiens game on October 13, 1970. He would be inducted into the Order of Canada in 1980 for his efforts.
Sadly, on July 19, 1981, Roger Doucet died, succumbing to a brain tumour.
He was 62 years old.
Spoof
The comedy duo of Wayne and Schuster often spoofed movies and television shows on their TV specials. They aired on CBC Channel 9 on peasant vision.
The comedy duo of Wayne and Schuster often spoofed movies and television shows on their TV specials. They aired on CBC Channel 9 on peasant vision.
One year, they spoofed the Scarlett Pimpernel, with a sketch called “Close Encounters of the Pumpernickel Kind”. The actual Scarlett Pimpernel was a Lone Ranger type vigilante during the Reign of Terror in France. As the Scarlet Pimpernel, he would rescue French aristocrats from the guillotine then pose as a seemingly harmless English aristocrat by day.
Johnny Wayne portrayed the Brown Pumpernickel, who would rescue French aristocrats headed for the guillotine. However, he would leave behind a loaf of pumpernickel bread.
Part way through the sketch, the Brown Pumpernickel is captured by the authorities. In order to stall his execution, he cries how they need the national anthem before any beheading.
Then he called up Roger Doucet who, dressed in period costume, comes up to the front and starts to sing the national anthem of that period.
I always thought that was really clever.
Parting thoughts
Only in Canada, can we revere a talented singer for his very special rendition of our national anthem sung at hockey games.
Only in Canada, can we revere a talented singer for his very special rendition of our national anthem sung at hockey games.
Yet we do, and it is a uniquely Canadian thing.
I have to be honest. Whenever I hear anyone singing “O Canada” at a televised hockey game, my mind always drifts back to Roger Doucet at the mike in the Montreal Forum.
He really sang a national anthem like no other.
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