Patrick Zabé

Patrick Zabé is the stage name of Jean-Marie Rusk, a Quebec singer and businessman from Quebec City, Canada.

Patrick Zabé is the stage name of Jean-Marie Rusk, a Quebec singer and businessman from Quebec City, Canada. He became popular in the 1960s and 1970s with French-language pop songs, and later founded the Zabé Jeans retail chain. He has also remained active through recordings, performances, and public discussion of Parkinson’s disease.

Early life and stage name

Patrick Zabé was born Jean-Marie Rusk in Quebec City, Quebec. Sources disagree on whether he was born in 1941 or 1943, and his stage name was reportedly formed by combining names from people around the Canusa team.

Music career

He became known in Quebec popular music through a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s. Reported songs associated with him include "La lettre," "Les lunettes," "La sirène de mon rêve," "OB-LA-DI OB-LA-DA," "Agadou," and "Senor météo."

Business activities

Zabé also worked as an entrepreneur. Reports say he opened a florist shop, a shoe-manufacturing business called Zabé le Bottier, and later the Zabé Jeans retail chain.

Later life

In later years, Zabé continued occasional musical activity, including album releases and performances. Media coverage has also focused on his health, including Parkinson’s disease and related benefit or awareness efforts.