Monday, March 1, 2010

Joe and Claudine

The Dreadnoughts have just learned that two of our good friends in Chicoutimi, Quebec, have died in a tragic car accident. We have been all over the world and met a lot of people, but not many could match the incredible kindness and fun-loving spirit of Joe Desgagne and Claudine Belanger.

The last time we saw Joe and Claudine, we had just been treated to a booze-soaked private show in their home basement, a fully decked-out bar they called the Unnipek Pub. Ono the wall was a large mirror with the phrase "Cider is Good For You" etched into it. We drank obscene amounts of their liquor for free and they helped us to invent the World's Greatest Drinking Game: "Let It Ride", a spectacular game with chips and a roulette wheel. By the end of the night, everyone was tired, happy and nicely drunk.

It was one of the greatest nights we've ever had, and it will always stand as a testament to Joe and Claudine. We did not know that the poutine we shared with them the next morning would be our last together, and we did not know that our good-bye embraces would be final. However, we do know that they were among the finest people we've ever had the chance to meet on the road, and we will never forget them.




Douce mère qui sait, au sein de la victoire,
Faire toujours veiller un rayon de sa gloire
Sur les tombeaux de ses enfants.

-Octave Crémazie (1860)
Posted by The Dreadnoughts at 3:48 PM

4 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 5, 2010 at 6:10 AM

    WOW elle nous a tellement parler de vous tous et de votre musique indescriptible selon elle. Vous étier une drogue pour elle . Elle aurait fait n'importequoi pour vous voir meme se déclarer malade a la job. C'étais une fille extraordinaire et toujours elle sera dans mon coeur.
    Merci pour se mot il me touche particulierement
    Nathalie Bosse

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 7, 2010 at 5:58 AM

    Is Joe's mom here...The Dreadnoughts, i put your flag, and your poster with Joe, he is gone with this...and sure, you were very near of his heart...i know also how much he loved you so much too...and Claudine too...

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 7, 2010 at 1:56 PM

    Je suis la cousine de Claudine. Je ne parle pas en anglais mais je tenais à vous dire un gros merci pour cet hommage. Claudine et Joe vont nous manquer. Ils seront toujours dans nos coeurs.

    Je sais que vous donnez un show au bunker le 27 mars. Moi et ma soeur nous serons là. En l'honneur de Claudine et Joe.

    C'était deux êtres merveilleux.
    Sophie

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownMarch 17, 2010 at 5:40 AM

    What a lovely testimonial to two wonderful people. Because of the internet, many of us were able to love these two people whom we never shook hands with. I know of the party you mentioned and what a great time everyone had.

    Warmly,

    Pam Guthrie

    ReplyDelete

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