Martin Deschamps
The powerhouse voice of Quebec rock, who carried the legacy of Offenbach while forging a distinct and enduring solo path.
Born 1970 (age 56)·Canadian rock singer·Birthday: June 23·Generation X
Biography
Martin Deschamps stepped into one of Canadian music's most daunting roles: replacing the late Gerry Boulet as the frontman for the legendary Quebec rock group Offenbach. With a voice that shared Boulet's gravelly warmth but carried its own raw power, Deschamps didn't just fill shoes; he reclaimed the stage, leading the band's reunion to great acclaim. Simultaneously, he carved out a substantial solo career, releasing albums that blended hard rock sincerity with melodic hooks. His music, sung almost exclusively in French, resonates deeply within Quebec's cultural fabric. Beyond the rock persona, Deschamps is recognized for his steady, grounded presence in the industry, a musician respected for his dedication to the craft and his role as a keeper of a vital musical flame, connecting classic Quebec rock to a new generation.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Martin was born in 1970, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Martin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1970
#1 Movie
Love Story
Best Picture
Patton
#1 TV Show
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Martin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1970Born
First Earth Day; The Beatles break up
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $17,000Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Bridge over Troubled Water" — Simon & GarfunkelBest Picture: Patton
1975Started school
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1983Became a teenager
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1986Could drive
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1988Could vote
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1991Turned 21
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
2000Turned 30
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2010Turned 40
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 50
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 56 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Successfully assumed the role of lead vocalist for the reunited iconic Quebec rock band Offenbach in 2005.
- Released multiple solo albums, including 'Le Château des rêves' and 'Tout est possible', achieving commercial success in Quebec.
- Won the Felix Award for Rock Album of the Year at the ADISQ gala in 2008 for his solo work.
- Performed to sold-out crowds at major Quebec venues like the Bell Centre and Festival d'été de Québec.
Did You Know?
He is the son of renowned Quebec singer and songwriter Paul Deschamps.
Before joining Offenbach, he was the lead singer for the band 'Grim Skunk'.
Deschamps is known for his philanthropic work, particularly with organizations supporting people with disabilities.
He performed the French-language version of 'We Are the World' ('Nous sommes le monde') for Haitian earthquake relief in 2010.
“Singing Gerry's songs is not an imitation; it's a conversation with the past.”
