Year Born: 1946
Year of Induction: 2003
Ginette Reno made her first record in 1962 at the age of 16. Over four decades she went on to record more than 50 albums and to establish herself as the “Queen of Entertainment”.
Born Ginette Raynault on April 26, 1946, Ginette loved to sing. As a tot, she sang for the customers in her father’s butcher shop in Montreal’s St. Lawrence Market. Eager to develop her talent, the youngster sold newspapers to pay for singing lessons. The payoff was a prized spot on CKVL’s Amateur Hour. With her name abbreviated to “Reno”, Ginette’s first album released in 1962 was an instant best-seller and served as the springboard to a remarkable career in radio, television, films and concert halls in France, Britain, the United States and, of course, Canada.
In 1965, Ginette played the prestigious Montreal Place des Arts, returning several times beginning in 1976 to play from 17 to 24 consecutive sold-out performances and similar multiple performances in Quebec City and Ottawa. The first sold-out performance in Ottawa was in 1969 at the National Arts Centre with the 100-piece Montreal Symphony Orchestra.
Ginette’s list of awards attests to her talent, popularity and success as a singer and as an actress. She has carried home several Junos and a Genie nomination, and multiple awards from Disc Festival, MetroStar and Adisq.
Ginette’s name has been inscribed on The Walk of Fame. She has been given the Governor-General’s Award. In 1982, at the age of 36, Ginette became the youngest Canadian inducted into the Order of Canada when she was named an Officer. Prime Minister Jean Chretien recognized Ginette as “an authentic artist of great talent”.
In 2003, Ginette Reno was inducted into the CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame.