Raôul Duguay (born February 13, 1939, in Val-d’Or, Quebec, Canada) is a Québécois poet, singer, songwriter, playwright, and cultural activist known for his vibrant personality, experimental art, and influential role in Quebec’s countercultural movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

Early Life and Education

Duguay studied at the Collège Sainte-Marie in Montreal and later at the Université de Montréal, where he became involved in literature and performance. During the 1960s, a period of intense cultural change in Quebec known as the Quiet Revolution (1960-1970), he emerged as a bold artistic voice advocating creativity, freedom, and Quebec identity.

L’Infonie and Counterculture

In 1967, Duguay co-founded the avant-garde artistic collective L’Infonie, which blended poetry, rock, theater, and multimedia experimentation. The group became a symbol of Quebec’s psychedelic and countercultural scene, producing eclectic performances that challenged artistic conventions.

Music and Poetry Career

As a solo artist, Duguay released numerous albums combining spoken word, chanson, and experimental sound. One of his most famous songs is La Bittt à Tibi (from the album Alllô Toulmond! released in 1975), a playful and rhythmic piece that became iconic in Quebec popular culture.

His work often explores themes such as:

• Language and identity
• Spirituality and cosmic consciousness
• Love and peace
• The power of sound and words

Duguay is known for his distinctive shaved head and flowing beard, as well as his charismatic stage presence.

Television and Public Life

In addition to music and poetry, Duguay has appeared frequently on Quebec television and radio. He has hosted programs, participated in cultural discussions, and remained an outspoken advocate for creativity, Quebec nationalism, and personal well-being.

Later Years and Legacy

Over the decades, Raôul Duguay has continued to write, perform, and lecture. He remains a respected figure in Quebec’s cultural landscape, recognized for helping redefine artistic expression during a transformative era in the province’s history.

He is widely regarded as one of the most original and enduring voices of Quebec’s artistic counterculture.

Suggested sources:

1. Thériault, Louise, et Raôul Duguay. Raôul Duguay: L’arbre qui Cache la Forêt. Éditions du CRAM, 2017.
2. Rochon, Pierre, and Christian Rioux. “Raöul Duguay.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published August 19, 2007; Last Edited December 16, 2013. Accessed on February 20, 2026. https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/raoul-duguay-emc
3. Duguay, Raôul. “La bittt à Tibi”. Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Accessed on February 20, 2026. https://www.cshf.ca/song/la-bittt-a-tibi/