RBO pushed the limits of humor with a variety of colourful characters, forward-thinking parodies, memorable skits and, of course, the group’s funny tunes. Learn more about the careers of these Québécois icons, who rank among the province’s greatest comics.
Historical overview
A closer look at the history of Rock et Belles Oreilles, better known as RBO, reveals an exciting era in Québécois humor. The Montreal-based group changed the comedy landscape with its unforgettable characters.
Throughout their journey spanning several decades, RBO has left its mark on the province’s collective memory. These performances, always rooted in popular culture, continue to re- emerge in various spheres of Québécois culture. Across the province, RBO has delighted fans, who have not forgotten the artists’ impact on their lives.
Radio, music and live performances
In the 1980s, Richard Z. Sirois and Guy A. Lepage captivated audiences with their offbeat creativity. Their satirical skits were integrated into the regular programming of Montreal’s community radio station, CIBL 101.5FM, in turn aired across Quebec.
The addition of Yves P. Pelletier, Bruno Landry and André Ducharme to the line-up took their acts to the next level, with their incisive parodies and daring jokes resonating across Québécois households, netting them their own show on CKOI-FM from 1984 to 1986. The radio era not only shaped the journey of Rock et Belles Oreilles, but also greatly influenced the evolution of Québécois humor.
These broadcasts allowed RBO’s work to shine throughout the province, confirming their status as pillars of comedy in Quebec. Through every skit and song, they reflected Quebec society in an authentic and unique way.
By firmly establishing their presence on air and on stage, RBO had the opportunity to immortalize their humor in 1986 with their first album, carving out their place in listeners' homes. The Disque, a compilation of radio skits and original songs was certified gold, confirming its popularity.
This first album built the foundation for their entire discography, which was expanded in 1987 with The Spectacle : Rock et Belles Oreilles, followed by Pourquoi chanter? (1989), Anthologie du plaisir (1990) and Le Gros Cru 1 & 2 (1992 and 1993).
Their radio era was also punctuated with live performances, including the Tournée mondiale des Cégeps and RBO - The Spectacle, which made more than 150,000 audience members laugh from 1985 to 1987. The latter show earned them the Félix award for Révélation de l’année (best new artist of the year) at the Gala de l’ADISQ. In 1990, their return to the stage broke records, drawing over 200,000 spectators on their last tour: RBO - Bêtes de scène.
Television
RBO took their success on TV, producing hilarious and unique skits for the audiences across Quebec, first on TQS, then TVA and finally Radio-Canada. This foray allowed them to have an even greater impact on the comedy landscape, becoming more firmly rooted in Quebec’s culture.
From 1986 to 1990, there was a notable evolution in the style and themes addressed by RBO. In particular, they excelled in the art of parody, the cornerstone of humor at the time. While their weekly show on TQS highlighted their presence on the small screen, it was the special presentation of La grande liquidation des fêtes, an end-of-year show, that crowned their time on the channel, overshadowing Radio-Canada’s Bye Bye 1987.
From 1989 to 1990, RBO switched to TVA with a brand new program (Rock et Belles Oreilles) that earned them eight Gémeaux awards and huge ratings in the same year. This resounding success led the group to produce two new programs, RBO Pot-Pourri and RBO Bêtes de scène, in addition to two other editions of La grande liquidation des fêtes (in 1988 and 1990)
In 1994, RBO returned to TV with Radio-Canada, first with a special, RBO 100% Cru, then with a new weekly series: RBO Hebdo. Audiences loved it, with nearly 1,000,000 people tuning in every week.
Broadcasting their skits reinforced their audience’s love of their work, immersing them in the Rock et Belles Oreilles universe. Thanks to a series of unforgettable skits, RBO became a must-see across Quebec.
After a few years on hiatus, RBO was back on the small screen with Radio-Canada to present RBO 3.0, marking its 30th anniversary in 2011-2012.
While still making people laugh, RBO sought to elevate skits to a finer level of social satire. During this period, RBO innovated by evolving their themes and adopting new styles.
Beyond humor, RBO’s cultural impact in Quebec is undeniable. Today, the group remains rooted in people’s minds as a pillar of Québécois humor in the 1980s and 1990s.
Special appearances and reunion
To mark RBO’s 20th anniversary, compilations of their greatest songs and skits available as box sets, DVD remasters of all seasons of their TV show (2004), as well as The Documentaire (2005) featuring the highlights of their career, were introduced to the public. These celebrations paved the way forward for RBO with great fanfare.
A special program etched in the memories of all Quebecers is undoubtedly Bye Bye 2006, a zany review of the events that marked Quebec during the year and aired on Radio-Canada. This first experience drew more than 4 million viewers, a record for the group. The positive reception for this special edition led RBO to come back for seconds in 2007, once again capping off the year in laughter.
In 2011, the group celebrated its 30th anniversary and was awarded the Medal of Honour of the National Assembly of Quebec. To celebrate this milestone, a radio series, website, mobile app and RBO 3.0 were launched in the same year, to the great delight of their fans.
RBO classics
At the heart of RBO’s outstanding performances are treasures of Québécois humor that have thrilled audiences across the province with the satirical blend of parodies and social criticism.
At the same time, songs and musical parodies like Bonjour la police and Le feu sauvage de l’amour, broadcast across Quebec, resonated with comedy fans. RBO’s discography commemorates these highlights and provides an overview of the music that has shaped the group’s performances on stage, on television and on the radio.
The group’s performances during their heyday confirmed their talent, versatility and ability to entertain various audiences. A number of notable interpretations have left their mark on fans’ minds, enriching each skit with a unique touch. Thus, RBO's impact extends beyond humor, leaving a lasting impression on the Quebecois and Canadian public through their sketches, songs, and characters, which have become true comedy icons.
In 2020, RBO launched RBO – The Archives on streaming platform CRAVE to celebrate its 40th anniversary. This 20-episode series includes excerpts from their original programs broadcast from 1986 to 1988. It’s an opportunity to rediscover the beloved characters and skits, take a trip back in time for a dose of laughs, and find some never-before-seen content.
Influence
RBO isn’t just a group of comedians, it’s a cultural benchmark. Their collaborations with various artists and organizations have had a significant impact on the cultural landscape of Quebec and Canada. Their skits and songs became veritable comedy icons.
We fondly look back at these moments shared with RBO. Their performances continue to resonate throughout Quebec, reminding us of their irreverent humor. Rock et Belles Oreilles will remain forever etched in the history of entertainment in Quebec.
RBO : The Cirque, a tribute to the group signed by Cirque du Soleil, will be presented at the Cogeco Amphitheatre from July 17 to August 17, 2024. Get your tickets today!