Géo Giguère

1. Introduction

Born in Montreal on February 6, 1947, Géo Giguère is a journalist, broadcaster and music enthusiast who devoted much of his life to promoting rock music and Quebec artists. His career spans several decades of the history of music media in Quebec.

His name remains particularly associated with the newspaper Pop Rock, which he led during its final years of publication, and with the television program Famille Rock. Both media outlets helped introduce established and emerging artists to Quebec audiences.

Through print journalism, radio, television and, more recently, the Internet, Giguère witnessed the transformation of the music industry while maintaining a particular interest in the local music scene.

2. Early Years and Music

Music played an important role in Géo Giguère's life from adolescence onward. Between the ages of thirteen and twenty-two, he played the trumpet and mellophone, two instruments that allowed him to develop his musical knowledge before turning to journalism.

At seventeen, he began teaching brass instruments to various musical ensembles, an activity he continued for several years. He also participated in evaluating musical performances while still very young.

This practical training helped shape his approach to music criticism. Rather than observing the music industry entirely from the outside, he possessed firsthand experience of performance, teaching and the work of musicians.

3. Radio and the Music Scene

During the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s, radio played a central role in introducing rock music and new musical trends to Quebec audiences. Géo Giguère gradually became involved in this world, developing relationships with artists, broadcasters and music industry professionals.

His professional biographies describe his involvement in the early days of CHOM FM. Some also mention his participation in the history of CKOI FM. These activities formed part of a broadcasting career that reportedly included work at five radio stations.

His commitment extended beyond broadcasting alone. He also took an interest in musicians' careers and in opportunities for the development of Quebec's rock scene.

In the early 1970s, he was associated with the band LES CHAMPIGNONS, a group from Shawinigan for which he served as manager. The band released the album Première capsule in 1972.

4. The Pop Rock Newspaper

The history of Pop Rock began on January 29, 1972, with the first issue of a publication originally called Pop Jeunesse. Founded by Claude J. Charron, the newspaper initially targeted a teenage audience before increasingly focusing on rock music.

Géo Giguère joined the editorial team in March 1972. He therefore participated in the early years of a publication that would become one of the leading French-language rock newspapers in Quebec.

Over the years, Pop Rock published interviews, record reviews, features and news about Quebec and international artists.

At a time when the Internet did not yet exist, specialized music magazines were essential sources of information for fans. They helped readers discover new bands, follow music news and learn more about different musical scenes.

5. Leading Pop Rock

In 1978, Géo Giguère was appointed editor-in-chief of Pop Rock by Raymond Blaquière. The following year, he became the owner of the publication.

Under his leadership, the newspaper continued covering music news while paying particular attention to Quebec bands and artists. Pop Rock became a meeting point between specialized journalism, musicians and their audiences.

During his years at the head of the magazine, Giguère conducted numerous interviews, published reviews and maintained contacts throughout the music industry. He helped provide visibility to artists whose promotional resources were often far more limited than those available to major international stars.

The publication ceased operations in March 1987, after approximately fifteen years of existence. Giguère had been involved since 1972 and had led the newspaper for nine years.

6. The Famille Rock Television Show

Alongside his work in print journalism, Géo Giguère developed a presence on television. He notably co-produced and hosted Famille Rock, a program devoted to music news and rock culture.

Broadcast on community television, the program provided exposure for Quebec bands and artists who often struggled to gain access to mainstream media.

Famille Rock featured interviews, discussions and musical content. The program stood out for its close relationship with musicians and its particular interest in the local scene.

According to accounts published by Famille Rock, the television project continued for several years under different names before ending in 1987.

The program was a natural extension of the work undertaken through Pop Rock: giving music enthusiasts access to artists, their ideas and their creative work.

7. Pierre Verville and the Character Gello

Géo Giguère's recognition gradually extended beyond the world of music journalism. During the 1980s, his television appearances and media presence made him familiar to a wider audience.

Comedian and impressionist Pierre Verville created a character inspired by Giguère called Gello. The parody drew upon certain aspects of his public personality and broadcasting style.

What began as a humorous imitation developed into a character in its own right, notably through the song Gello Reggae.

The world of Famille Rock was also parodied on television, with some sketches reproducing elements of the original program's set.

A photograph taken by Denis Courville and preserved at Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec shows Pierre Verville with Géo Giguère on September 1, 1988.

8. Popular Magazines and the Internet

Following the closure of Pop Rock in 1987, Géo Giguère continued his career in journalism and Quebec media.

For many years, he contributed to popular magazines such as 7 Jours, Le Lundi, La Semaine and Dernière Heure. His experience allowed him to continue conducting interviews and writing features about personalities in the entertainment industry.

During the 2000s, digital media gradually transformed journalistic practices. Giguère adapted his work to new publishing platforms.

Beginning in 2007, exclusive interviews bearing his byline appeared on various websites, including Canoe.ca and 24 heures.

This transition allowed him to continue his professional activities after the disappearance of the traditional media formats that had shaped his early decades in music journalism.

9. The Revival of Famille Rock

On March 5, 2016, Géo Giguère began a new chapter in his career by relaunching Famille Rock online.

The project revived the spirit of the Pop Rock newspaper and the original television program, while embracing the possibilities offered by digital media.

Working with contributors from different generations, Giguère participated in publishing articles, interviews, memories and historical documents devoted to rock, progressive rock, popular music and blues.

Famille Rock places considerable emphasis on Quebec's musical history, while also covering international artists who have influenced generations of listeners.

This revival illustrates the continuity of his commitment: helping audiences discover music, supporting artists and preserving a cultural memory that might otherwise disappear.

The project remains available at famillerock.com .

10. Historical Legacy

The history of Quebec rock is not limited to the artists and bands who recorded albums or filled concert venues. It also includes the work of journalists, broadcasters and publishers who helped bring that music to audiences.

Géo Giguère belongs to a generation of enthusiasts who accompanied the emergence and development of rock culture in Quebec. His career illustrates the importance of specialized media at a time when opportunities for exposure were far more limited than they are today.

Through Pop Rock, Famille Rock and his many collaborations, he helped document artists' careers, introduce new bands and bring musicians closer to their audiences.

His work also provides a record of the evolution of Quebec music media: from print journalism to radio, from community television to digital platforms.

Preserving old issues of Pop Rock, recordings of Famille Rock and accounts from his collaborators represents a valuable contribution to the cultural history of Montreal and Quebec.

11. Timeline