Robert L’Herbier (1921-2008)

Robert L'Herbier

Year Born: 

1921

Year Died: 

2008

Year of Induction: 

1991

Pioneer – Member of CAB Hall of Fame

L’Herbier, Robert (1921-2008)

Robert L’Herbier’s radio career began at CHLT Sherbrooke where as an announcer, singer and pianist, he achieved wide popularity.

In 1946 and again in 1948, he was awarded the “Médaille d’Or” as the most popular radio artist in Montréal. A song which he sang, “Heureux comme un roi” became a best-seller.

His TV career was started in Toronto on “Show Time” hosted by Robert Goulet. Starting in 1954, he wrote, and starred, as a singer-pianist, with his wife Rolande Désormeaux, in the weekly show “Rolande et Robert” on the Radio-Canada network.

He was also the Montréal correspondent for “Film Français”and “Music-Hall”, two French publications.

In 1961, Robert L’Herbier was appointed Program Director for CFTM-TV, the first francophone private television station in Montréal. Three years later, he was promoted to assistant Station Manager. He was a Vice-President of Télé-Métropole when he retired in 1987. He continued on as a consultant to the station.

Robert L’Herbier was instrumental in encouraging and promoting French Canadian artists, writers and singers. He was the organizer of “L’amicale de la chanson” and the “Concours de la chanson canadienne”.

In 1991, Robert L’Herbier was inducted into the CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame.

Robert L’Herbier died at 86, on January 1, 2008, after a long illness.

Written by J. Lyman Potts – January, 2008