Fans of all generations rallied to send a huge wave of love to Cowboys Fringants singer Karl Tremblay, who despite his illness insisted on taking the stage at Thursday night’s summer festival.
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By bringing the Cowboys’ performance forward to 7:30 p.m. due to the unstable weather, the organizers also wanted to punt the odds in their favor to give him the unconditional support of the crowd as he struggles with the disease. . Unfortunately, the site was evacuated prior to the band’s performance.
By 5 p.m., hundreds of fans were already there, worried about his health, but also about the weather, which then threatened to spoil this important evening. The band’s t-shirts, Quebec flags and of course the iconic cowboy hat were hugely popular.
Concerned fans
“It worries us a bit. I like it very much and it’s the third time I see it this year. He’s canceled several shows,” said 17-year-old Emy-Rose Black, who crossed her fingers to hold up her poster in support of Karl Tremblay. The teenager currently particularly appreciates the pieces “Les maison toutsembles”, “Ces temps-ci” and “La manifestation”, which is a bit better known.
As a free pass from FEQ, Les Cowboys Fringants had planned a unique concert that would highlight the progress made over the past 25 years. The change in schedule resulted in a faster, windswept tide of crowds on the Grande Allée.
Many festival-goers in Quebec City still remembered the magic they witnessed at the Videotron Center last January. The fear of a longer absence of the singer caused some viewers to talk.
Of the love
“We will give him lots of love! When he canceled his show on Tuesday, I thought that was the end. I hope that he will accompany us for a long time. I think it’s the last chance to party with him for a while longer. I hear it all the time: driving, cooking, washing! I love her,” added Kim Moreau.
Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
“We will be in front and tell him that we love him,” Florence Bérubé also started.
“We love you, Karl, you are really strong!” was also the message from Léanie Côté and Mégane Croteau.
Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
Cowboys Fringants singer Karl Tremblay’s chemotherapy treatments “are not working anymore,” his wife Marie-Annick Lépine, a member of the group, said this spring.
On site
Usually, singer’s cancer is usually quite treatable. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, the 5-year net survival rate for prostate cancer is 91%. The former mayor of Quebec, Régis Labeaume, himself successfully fought such a cancer a few years ago.
“My father was affected and so was my grandfather. Sometimes complications can arise. Every person is different. Gerry Boulet said he wasn’t in pain on stage. He gave shows to the end. Patrick Bourgeois said the same thing,” concluded Joël Croteau, who wishes Karl Tremblay all the best.