Pierre Lalonde facts for kids

Pierre Lalonde (born January 20, 1941 – died June 21, 2016) was a famous Canadian singer and television host. He was sometimes known as Peter Martin when he worked in the United States. Pierre Lalonde was a popular figure in Canadian entertainment for many years.

Early Life and Career

Pierre Lalonde was born in Montreal, Quebec. His father, Jean Lalonde, was also a well-known singer in the 1940s. Pierre went to high school in the United States. In 1960, he returned to Canada. He started his career working at a radio station called CKJL with his father. Soon after, he moved to another radio station, CJMS, in Montreal.

Becoming a TV Star

In 1961, Pierre Lalonde began working in television. He joined CFTM-TV and hosted many different programs. One of his most famous shows was Jeunesse d'aujourd'hui, which means Today's Youth. This show was very popular with young people.

Singing Success

Pierre Lalonde also had a successful singing career. He released his first song in 1962. His first full music album came out in 1963. He mostly sang in French. However, he also released several songs in English.

Hosting More Shows

Pierre Lalonde's success led to him hosting his own show in the United States. It was called The Peter Martin Show. This show was on WPIX in New York from 1967 to 1968. He even released an album called Introducing Peter Martin under this name.

His other English-language TV shows included Music Hop and The Mad Dash. He also hosted Circus and The Pierre Lalonde Show. In the 1970s and 1980s, he was the host for the Telethon of Stars. He also hosted the Miss Teen Canada Pageant in 1983 and 1984.

Awards and Recognition

In 2011, Pierre Lalonde received a special award. He was given Quebec's Medal of Honour of the National Assembly. This award recognized his important contributions to the arts.

Passing Away

Pierre Lalonde passed away on June 21, 2016. He was 75 years old. He died in Hudson, Quebec. His death was due to health problems related to Parkinson's disease.