It’s with deep sadness that SOCAN has learned of the death of John McGale, guitarist, songwriter, and icon of legendary Québec band Offenbach. He died in a car accident in the early hours of Oct. 30, 2022, in Lacolle, Montérégie, on his 66th birthday.
McGale was Offenbach’s guitarist since 1978. Having reached guitar hero status in Québec, he also co-wrote some of Offenbach’s most famous songs, including “Deux autres bières,” “J’ai l’rock’n’roll pis toé,” “Seulement qu’une aventure,” and “Rock de v’lours.”
As a songwriter and producer, he’d collaborated with Gerry Boulet, Breen LeBoeuf, Céline Dion, Éric Lapointe, Nanette Workman, Dan Bigras, Julie Masse, Natasha St-Pier, Mixmania, Toyo, Shawn Philips, and Martin Deschamps.
SOCAN extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends and many musical collaborators.