Offenbach

Offenbach came together in Quebec during 1969 when Gerry Boulet, Michael Lamonthe, Jr., and Wezo established the group. The independent Barclay label signed them in 1972, after which the French album Soap Opera appeared. A&M extended a recording contract four years later, leading to the release of a self-titled album in 1977. Never Too Tender and a second self-titled LP also surfaced that year. Lamonthe and Wezo exited around the same period and were succeeded by Pierre Lavoie and Norman Kerr, though Kerr departed soon afterward. Offenbach recorded Traversion in 1979 and brought in further newcomers Breen LeBoeuf and John McVale. Four additional studio albums followed—En Fusion (1980), Tonnedebrick (1983), Live a Fond d'Train (1984), and Rockorama (1985)—before the band dissolved in 1986. Their final release, Le Dernier Show, surfaced that year after being recorded live in Montreal. Gerry Boulet issued two solo albums, Presque 40s in 1984 and Rendezvous Doux in 1988. John McGale, who had joined the lineup in 1978 and taken part in the reunion launched in 1996, died on October 30, 2022, at age 66 after a severe auto accident.