Morse Code

Morse Code

Morse Code (Les Maîtres, 1967-70). Montreal instrumental and vocal rock group whose members included Raymond Roy (drums), Michel Vallée (bass guitar), and Jocelyn Julien (guitar). Christian Simard (keyboards, voice) was added in 1968. The group performed songs by the Beatles, the Bee Gees, Charlebois, and Léveillée before turning to its own compositions. It made some singles for RCA, prior to adopting the new name for its English-language LP Morse Code Transmission (1971, RCA LSP-4575). After changing guitarists several times the group added Daniel Lemay (also a flutist) in 1975. Several singles for Capitol were successful: 'Cocktail' and 'Punch' in 1975 and 'Cérémonie de minuit,' 'Sommeil,' and 'Je suis le temps' in 1977. A progressive group with a tendency towards contemporary classical music, Morse Code often appeared at Quebec universities and Cegeps, notably during a tour of more than 40 cities in the fall of 1976. The style of Simard (b Quebec City 29 Apr 1949) dominated after his arrival. He composed most of the group's songs. Morse Code recorded three LPs for Capitol between 1975 and 1977 (ST-70038, SKAO-70046, ST-70051). In November 1977 the group disbanded for the first time. After having worked mainly in piano bars, Simard revived the group in 1987 with Lemay, Vallée, and Gilles Simard (drums). Morse Code gave several concerts in Sept-Îles, Sherbrooke, and at Club Soda in Montreal before making its final appearance 31 Oct 1990 at the Anglicane in Lévis, near Quebec City. Simard has composed songs for Renée Martel and Patrick Norman, whom he accompanies on the LP Vodou Queen. He also has written for Véronique Béliveau, Jean-Pierre Ferland, Pierre Lalonde, Donald Lautrec, Céline Lomez, Ginette Reno, and Suzanne Stevens.