Guy Latraverse, left, holds up his honorary Félix Award from ADISQ, with a little help from Yvon Deschamps at the Adisq awards gala in Montreal, on Oct. 27, 2013.Guy Latraverse, often referred to as “the father of Quebec show business,” was one of his province’s greatest entertainment agents, producers and show designers for half a century. He represented some of Quebec’s most prominent artists and conceived and produced legendary tours, events and television specials.
Like many small-town Quebeckers who came of age during the post-Second World War period, Mr. Latraverse saw his future in the big city. By 1962 he was installed in Montreal where he began but did not complete graduate studies in business and law. He was working at an accounting firm when he met musician Claude Léveillé, a friend of his sister, the actress Louise Latraverse. He became Mr.
Ms. Forestier believes Mr. Latraverse had a unique talent. “He was a businessman with an instinctive understanding of artists. He had incredible energy and the knowledge that Quebec and its artists were flourishing in the 1960s and 1970s and needed to be brought to the world’s attention.” a singer, songwriter and actor. “He also built bridges for artists from both countries to work in each other’s country. All this from a guy from Chicoutimi. He wasn’t afraid of anyone; he was a good salesman, very convincing, but always a gentleman.”featuring Diane Dufresne, at the Olympic Stadium in front of an audience of 55,000 people mostly dressed in pink, proved to be a life-changing moment for Mr. Latraverse.
With his mood stabilized, Mr. Latraverse continued his business activities, winning several awards for his productions, but he also dedicated himself to an organization now known as Relief, which is committed to mitigating the suffering of individuals with bipolar disorder. Mr. Latraverse was chairman of its board from 1992 until 2013 and intrinsic to the creation and building of the organization.