Biography
Ginette Reno, born Ginette Raynault on April 28, 1946, in Montreal, Quebec, began her career as a child performer in her father's butcher shop at Montréal's St. Lawrence Market, where she sang to attract customers, and sold newspapers to fund singing lessons, leading to her debut on radio station CKVL’s Amateur Hour.[1][3] Under the guidance of impresario Jean Simon, who shortened her surname to Reno, she released her first single 'J’aime Guy'/'Non Papa' in 1961 and her self-titled debut album in 1962, which became an instant bestseller and established the 16-year-old as Québec’s answer to stars like Lesley Gore and Connie Francis.[2][3][4] Her early hits like 'Tu Vivras Toujours Dans Mon Coeur' (1964) earned her New Talent of the Year, and she soon performed at prestigious venues including Place des Arts, Expo '67, and the Olympia in Paris.[1][2][4]
Reno's career flourished in the late 1960s and 1970s with international success, including performances at London's Savoy Theatre, BBC TV appearances, and collaborations like the 1974 duet 'T’es Mon Amour, T’es Ma Maîtresse' with Jean-Pierre Ferland; she won Juno Awards for Best Female Singer in 1970, 1972, and 1973, and her English single 'Beautiful Second Hand Man' hit No. 6 on the CHUM chart.[2][4][5] Bilingual in French and English, her style centers on chanson québécoise sentimental ballads delivered with a powerful, expressive voice, releasing over 42-60 albums including hits like 'Je ne suis qu’une chanson' (1979, 387,000 copies sold in Quebec) and later works like 'Fais Moi La Tendresse' (2009), which topped Canadian charts.[1][2] She also acted in films like 'Mambo Italiano' (2003) and was managed briefly by René Angélil.[5][6]
Inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame (2025), Reno remains a cultural icon, known as 'La Reno' or 'Quebec’s golden voice,' with a legacy of over 2,000 songs, enduring popularity across generations, and inspiration for artists like Celine Dion.[1][2][5]
Fun Facts
- As a child, Reno sang in the noisy aisles of Montréal's St. Lawrence Market at her father's butcher shop to attract customers and sold newspapers to pay for singing lessons.[3]
- Her 2009 album 'Fais Moi La Tendresse' topped Canada’s album charts, displacing U2's 'No Line on the Horizon' from No. 1.[2]
- Reno co-founded her own record labels: Grand Prix in 1967 with husband Bob Watier and manager Gilles Talbot, and Honey Dew (Melon-miel) in 1977.[4]
- She performed with a 30-musician band and 70-voice choir at Place des Arts and Grand Théâtre de Québec in 1974.[4]
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Jean Simon - Impresario and early manager who guided her professional debut and name change (Debut single 'J’aime Guy'/'Non Papa' (1961), self-titled album (1962)) [Early 1960s]
- René Angélil - Manager in the late 1960s (Career management during peak popularity) [Late 1960s]
Key Collaborators
- Jean-Pierre Ferland - Duet partner ('T’es Mon Amour, T’es Ma Maîtresse' (1974)) [1974]
- Roger Whittaker - Co-host of BBC TV series and shared performances (BBC TV series (1971)) [1971]
- Bob Watier - Husband and co-founder of record company (Grand Prix record company) [End of 1967]
- Gilles Talbot - Manager and co-founder of record company (Grand Prix record company) [End of 1967]
Artists Influenced
- Celine Dion - Named Reno as one of her greatest inspirations; family contacted Reno's manager René Angélil for Dion (Dion's early career inspiration) [1960s onward]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Joyeux Noël | 2006 | Album |
| Aimons-nous | 1974-01-01 | Album |
| Les grands succès de Ginette Reno Vol.1 1960-1970 | 1977-08-27 | Album |
| Aimez le si fort (Remasterisé 2023) | 2023-03-24 | Album |
| Le temps des seigneurs: 25 ans, 25 chansons | 2017-10-13 | Album |
| Duos de la tendresse | 2008-09-15 | Album |
| Ginette Reno | 1970-01-01 | Album |
| Ginette Reno | 1969-01-01 | Album |
| Noël Avec Ginette Reno | 1967 | Album |
| En direct de la Place des Arts (Remasterisé 2023) [Live] | 2023-03-24 | Album |
| Aimez-le si fort | 1970-01-01 | Album |
| L'avenir entre nous | 2011-11-21 | Album |
| Ginette Reno | 2016-01-29 | Album |
| Ombre et soleil | 1972-01-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Une chance qu'on s'a
- Des croissants de soleil (Aimons-nous)
- À ma manière (Aimez le si fort (Remasterisé 2023))
- Bonhomme hiver (Joyeux Noël)
- Vive le vent (Joyeux Noël)
- Le Sable Et La Mer (Les grands succès de Ginette Reno Vol.1 1960-1970)
- La Dernière Valse (Ginette Reno)
- Des soleils par millions (L'avenir entre nous)
- Promenade en traîneau (Joyeux Noël)
- Quand le soleil dit bonjour aux montagnes
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Ginette Reno has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 18, 2025 | 22:50 | Bonhomme Hiverfrom Joyeux Noel | Kitchen Sinkw/ Jennifer Brady |