Roger Doucet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roger Doucet
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Roger Doucet (right) in 1980
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| Background information | |
| Born | 21 April 1919 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Died | 19 July 1981 (aged 62) Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Occupation(s) | singer |
| Instruments | Voice |
Roger Doucet (born April 21, 1919 – died July 19, 1981) was a famous Canadian singer. He was a tenor, which means he had a high male singing voice. Roger Doucet was best known for singing Canada's national anthem, "O Canada", at big sports games. He sang for teams like the Montreal Canadiens (hockey), the Montreal Alouettes (football), and the Montreal Expos (baseball) during the 1970s. People especially loved his special version of the anthem, which started in French and finished in English. This showed respect for both of Canada's official languages.
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Roger Doucet's Singing Career
Roger Doucet first sang the national anthem at a Canadiens hockey game on October 13, 1970. Author Andrew Podnieks said that Doucet sang with great energy. His singing got the crowd excited, just like a great play by a hockey star.
A Special Anthem Moment
In 1976, Roger Doucet was set to sing anthems at the first Canada Cup hockey tournament. He was supposed to sing for a game between Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union. However, the Soviet Union's anthem lyrics had been removed years before. This was because they contained references to Stalinism, which was a difficult part of their history.
To solve this, Doucet asked for help from the Université de Montréal. Staff from their Russian department gave him a new, modified version of the anthem to sing. He made sure to get it right!
How Roger Doucet Changed the Anthem
Roger Doucet also changed how many Canadians sing "O Canada." Before him, the last part, "we stand on guard for Thee," was sung with the notes going down. Doucet started singing the last two notes by raising them higher.
His version was so powerful and heard by so many people on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada. Because of this, within a few years, Doucet's way of singing the anthem became the accepted way. It's still how many people sing it today!
A High Honor
In 1980, Roger Doucet was made a Member of the Order of Canada. This is Canada's highest award for civilians. He received it "in recognition for the feeling of pride he has instilled in his fellow citizens." This means he made Canadians feel proud of their country.
Roger Doucet passed away in Montreal on July 19, 1981. He had been ill with a brain tumour.
Roger Doucet's Legacy
American sportswriter Paul Zimmerman remembered Roger Doucet's performances. He said Doucet's singing was amazing. "People would cry when he finished that song," Zimmerman recalled. He also noted that the anthem never lasted longer than 48 seconds.
In the Montreal Canadiens' first home game of the 2020–21 NHL season, the team honored famous anthem singers. They showed a video compilation starting with Roger Doucet. It ended with another well-known singer, Ginette Reno.
