Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Music Box • Musician

Joël Denis

Joël Denis is a Québécois singer, television host, and entertainer from Montreal, Quebec.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Joël Denis is a Québécois singer and television host from Montreal, Quebec, known for French-language pop hits in the 1960s and 1970s.

Who he is

Born Denis Laplante on 11 October 1936 in Montreal, he adopted the stage name Joël Denis. He became a prominent figure in Quebec's popular music and television scene, with a career spanning from 1958 to the present.

Key details

Denis is best known for songs like "Le Ya Ya" and "Hey Hey Lolita", and for co-hosting the youth program Jeunesse d’aujourd’hui on Télé-Métropole. He also recorded "Quoi de neuf Pussycat" and "L’École est finie". Sources from the 2020s confirm he remains active into his late 80s.

Why it matters

Joël Denis represents a significant chapter in Quebec's French-language entertainment history, bridging music and television during a formative era for Canadian pop culture.

In short

  • Quebec singer and TV host, active since 1958.
  • Known for hits "Le Ya Ya" and "Hey Hey Lolita".
  • Co-hosted Jeunesse d’aujourd’hui.
  • Still active as of 2026.
Canadian angle

Joël Denis is a notable figure in Quebec’s French-language popular music and television history, and his career is especially relevant to Canadian entertainment culture.

Quick questions

Who is Joël Denis?
A Canadian singer and television host from Montreal, known for French-language pop music and hosting Jeunesse d’aujourd’hui.
How old is Joël Denis?
Born 11 October 1936, he is 89 as of July 2026.
Is Joël Denis still alive?
Yes, recent 2026 sources describe him as active and giving interviews.

Sources

  1. Journal de Montréal — https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2019/06/30/inoubliables-joel-denis
    Supports: Birth date and place, birth name Denis Laplante, and major songs and TV work.
  2. Radio-Canada — https://ici.radio-canada.ca/tele/le-telejournal-quebec/site/segments/reportage/381474/valerie-cloutier-joel-denis-biographie-joel-denis
    Supports: Age in 2020, biography title, ongoing activity, and Montreal bed-in reference.
  3. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkforaf1RYU
    Supports: Birth name Denis Laplante and birth date/place.
  4. Noovo Moi — https://www.noovomoi.ca/en-vedette/joel-denis-emission-zenith.html
    Supports: Recent activity and later-career information.
  5. 7 Jours — https://www.7jours.ca/2026/02/19/entrevue-avec-joel-denis
    Supports: Recent interview describing him as alive and active in 2026.
  6. Apple Music — https://www.apple.com/ca/music/
    Supports: Artist origin from Canada and birth year 1936.