"I'm not going to stay to hear her"

Those are the words Pierre Trudeau said at a gala for Maurice "The Rocket" Richard a few years ago when a celebration was held for Richard at the Montreal Forum.  

B had been invited to join Trudeau, Tom Axworthy and Trudeau's chief body guard, dear friend Mike Copeland, for dinner honouring Richard.  B had been a director in the Federal/Provincial Relations Office when Trudeau was prime minister; Tom was a political ally and, of course, Mike -- my high school and good friend for 50 years.  We go waaaaay back.  (See "The Prince of Ottawa," Sept. 25, 2011)

Along with The Rocket, the other star of the show was none other than Céline Dion.  It was when she was introduced that Trudeau announced he would not stay to hear her performance.

What's up with that?  Is it fashionable among some circles not to like the incomparable Dion?  Frankly, I think Trudeau feared the uproarious, thundering applause with which she would be greeted -- applause he hadn't received when he had entered -- so he got up to leave.

What a baby.

Trudeau was a contrarian, as we all know.  That night he confirmed it once again.  B offered to drive his petulant ass home, but he wanted to walk, so naturally Mike walked with him.  A few months later, Trudeau was dead.

I am reminded of this episode because I am currently binge-watching Céline's concerts going back many years and I am spellbound!  Her voice still gives me chills and her stage presence is staggering.  Appearing before hundreds of thousands of fans all over the world, she never disappoints.  She is adored and I am one of her adorers.  

One of the greatest performers of all time.

Pierre's the one who is insecure and disloyal to a great Québecoise who had contributed millions to this country's coffers and international reputation.  Canada has been the beneficiary and he should have acknowledged that.

René Angelil took her from obscurity and made her a star.  He transformed her from an ugly duckling to a beautiful woman and, in the process, himself a very wealthy man.  What amazes me is how God threw a voice like that into the youngest of 14th children in a rural, Quebec family.  Just a little throw-away for Him.

But back to Pierre, funny how the apple doesn't fall far in the form of his acutely, narcissistic son.  Shame, shame.