Alice ROBITAILLE aka ALYS ROBI

ALYS ROBI
International singing star

was baptized ALICE ROBITAILLE and was born 1923-02-03 in Saint-Raymond, a suburb of Québec City, QC, the daughter of Émile and Albina MOISAN. From early childhood, her only desire was to become a famous singer. Her father would enter her in local talent contests, which she won most of the time, a situation which increased her certainty that she would be a star some day. With this in mind, she left her home in Québec City and, at age 13, took the night train to Montréal, without the knowledge of her parents. Arriving in the city with only 5¢ in her purse after having paid the train passage (one way), she purchased a tram ticket to the theatre where Rose OUELLETTE was head of a variety show. Having met Rose once in the past and having been encouraged by her to continue her singing career, Alice took her at her word and entered the theatre where a rehearsal was going on. She went right up to Mrs. OUELLETTE and told her she was there to be part of the show. Although astounded, Rose immediately hired her and even took her into her home since Alice had nowhere to stay and no money to pay for a room.
This was the beginning of Alice's professional career, and she sang with the variety show for 3 years till she was offered a contract in Ontario, etc. By this time, Alice had taken on the stage name of ALYS ROBI by which she is known to this day.
Alys' life is all the more interesting because she unabashedly shared her emotions through the many situational and mental difficulties that she experienced. Her 1990 autobiography, Un long cri dans la nuit: 5 années à l'asile, describes the horrors of life in a Québec mental institution, St-Michel-Archange, following a nervous breakdown, where she was forced to submit to electric shock therapy, cold ice baths, and, eventually, a lobotomy.
Overcoming the isolation of the mental institution where she lived alone in a small cell and where her father visited her but once in 5 years, she managed to hold onto her sanity despite social deprivation. From 1948 to 1953, she continuously told herself that she was an "international singer" and that she would continue her career despite the fears that grew on her during these 5 years.
Of course, by 1953, when Alice was released from St-Micchel-Archange after a successful lobotomy (which was rare), her father came to see her for the second time, to bring her home. After awhile, she overcame the fear of social contacts, which had been brought on by the isolation experienced at the hospital, and she began accepting singing contracts. She now sings occasionally for local institutions despite her age.
ALYS ROBI's life is an inspiration to us all. If she could survive a mental institution and what it entailed in the 1940's and 50's, we should all be able to overcome our daily difficulties and attain our goals.

For pictures of ALYS ROBI
click on the title above.

ROBITAILLE
(1)
Jean ROBITAILLE
Martine CORMONT
Picardie, FRANCE
(2)
Pierre ROBITAILLE
Marie MAUFAY/MAUFET
marriage contract
1675-05-05
before Notary DUQUET
Sillery, suburb of Québec City, QC
(3)
Joseph ROBITAILLE

Catherine DROLET

1722-01-20

N-D-de-l'Annonciation parish, Ancienne-Lorette, QC
(4)
Pierre ROBITAILLE

Marie-Geneviève VALIN

1765-02-11

N-D-de-l'Annonciation parish, Ancienne-Lorette, QC
(5)
Jean ROBITAILLE

Marie CANTIN

1802-02-15

N-D-de-l'Annonciation parish, Ancienne-Lorette, QC
(6)
Jean ROBITAILLE
Adélaïde DELISLE
1829-01-20
N-D-de-l'Annonciation parish, Ancienne-Lorette, QC
(7)
Siméon ROBITAILLE

Christine ALLAIN

1866-01-30

N-D-de-l'Annonciation parish, Ancienne Lorette, QC
(8)
Napoléon ROBITAILLE

Amanda BUSSIÈRES

1886-06-14

St-Jean-Baptiste parish, Québec City,  QC
(9)
Napoléon ROBITAILLE

Albertine DUSSAULT

1910-07-18
St-Jean-Baptiste parish, Québec City, QC