Because his health is starting to fail, Raôul Duguay has decided to retire from the stage. After six decades of career, the 85-year-old poet and singer, who has never known boredom, decided to tell his story in “the book of his life», Touttt is in touttt.
“In my last show, I managed to make a mistake in I gave it to Tibiafter having done it 3333 and three thirds times. [rires]. Can you? That’s what made me say: Raoul, shut up, you’ve done your time. I think I gave. Sixty years of career is still something.”
In interview with The Journal to talk about his new book, Raoûl Duguay confides that he was touched by the recent death of Lucien Francoeur. “He wasn’t a very intense personal friend, but I knew him well. We were different in our approach, but we had immense respect for each other. I find that he brought a note to Quebec culture that is very particular to it.”
The death of the man who was almost ten years younger than him made him think about death. “There’s more time behind me than ahead, that’s for sure. How long do I have left to live? As I am an increasingly finite man, what interests me is the infinite. When I die, what will be left of me? I don’t have an answer.”
Be careful
Raôul Duguay mentions that he currently has an inguinal hernia which prevents him from lifting heavy objects. “As a good Quebecer, I have one child too many! I have a lump in my lower stomach. I have to be careful.”
This problem could be resolved with an operation, but he decided not to undergo the procedure. “Because I was told I would be bedridden for a month. It would give me another problem with my joints if I don’t walk. So I try to avoid that.”
Cover of the book “Touttt est dans touttt”, by Raôul Duguay
Photo provided by Éditions Sylvain Harvey
“The way I feel at the age I am, I no longer feel worthy of myself, of what I have already been,” he continues. That’s why I don’t do shows anymore. I no longer give lectures because I am losing my memory more and more.”
Archives et album
Despite everything, Raôul Duguay continues to remain active. He is currently preparing his archives which will go to the National Archives in Rouyn-Noranda. And he is thinking about an album project that he would do with Alain Sauvageau.
In his new book, Raôul Duguay decided to share the approximately 200 song lyrics he wrote in his career to demonstrate that he is more than I gave it to Tibi.
“Fortunately I have the copyright from the sale of beers from I gave it to Tibi [de la brasserie d’Amos Belgh Brass] who pay me more than the royalties of the song, he said candidly. It’s incredible! If I didn’t have that, I would have to close the house.”
The book Touttt is in touttt, by Raôul Duguay, is available.
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