part 1
In the fall of 1991, François Pérusse released the very first People’s album. He was hired last year by CKOI radio, whose managers spotted him signing the absurdly humorous advertisement for Luc De Larochellière’s album, which allegedly contained devilish, subliminal passages!
Crazy success!
Surprised, François received a platinum record (sold more than 100,000 albums) for L’Album du peuple – Tome 2 in 1992, as well as a Félix Award and a Juno Award for best-selling French-language album in Canada. It was just the beginning of the comedian’s adventure, who has released 16 People’s albums over the course of his career.
Official picture
François Pérusse in 1994 while co-hosting the morning show Y’é trop d’bonneheure on CKOI with Normand Brathwaite. The 2 minutes of the people had become a must on the radio. This year we celebrated the 500th capsule. Over time, there will be 4,200.
Early Beginnings
François, 35, in 1995, hosted CKOI for five years. He debuted as a tech host on Quebec community radio station CKRL in 1976 before getting his own night show at age 16. He hosted CKRL for 12 years before being drafted by broadcaster Montreal.
A winner
The Quebec native, who had started out as a bassist alongside his brother Marc and played for Jean Leloup and Luc De Larochellière, was now a popular comedian, winning a Félix award almost every year for his Albums du peuple. In his career he notably receives 11 Félix, seven Olivier and five Gemini.
►The universe of François Pérusse will be presented on an outdoor stage at the Just for Laughs Festival this summer, in a show that will be inspired by the hundreds of capsules and characters he has created over the years. We’re talking about the immersive journey The People’s Crossroads, which will reproduce several iconic locations presented by the comedian, including the snack bar at the Raymond, and many characters such as Jean-Charles the grocer, Louis-Paul Fafard-Allard, Pierrette and Bob Hartley. We’re talking about interactive animations designed by Just for Laughs and Charlie Tango. Festival-goers can also sing karaoke or take a photo with the famous ski-doo. Directed by Guillaume Lambert, with whom François played in the film Niagara. Free access to the Place des Arts Esplanade from July 20th to 29th.
►You can listen to the humorist’s capsules here The People’s Radio on his web channel francoisperusse.ca.
►François is still on the radio with his series Perusse frequency on the Énergie grid (94.3 in Montreal).