Félix Leclerc

Félix Leclerc was a Quebec singer-songwriter, poet, actor, and author whose spare language and acoustic performances helped establish the modern chanson tradition in French Canada. Born at La Tuque in 1914, he worked in radio and theatre before Jacques Canetti invited him to perform in Paris in 1950. His song Moi, mes souliers earned a Grand Prix du disque français in 1951 and became closely identified with his public voice. Leclerc later used Moi, mes souliers as the title of an autobiographical book, first published in Paris in 1955 and subsequently issued in Quebec. The narrative approaches memory through episodes involving family, work, travel, radio, animals, and his emergence as a touring chansonnier. His plays, poems, songs, and prose all draw strength from direct images and spoken rhythms. Honours including the Prix Denise-Pelletier recognized a career that reshaped Quebec popular song while keeping literature, performance, and everyday rural experience in close conversation.