Buzz
Since the debut of Singable Songs for the Very Young in 1976, Raffi Cavoukian has become a beloved icon in children’s music, captivating young audiences worldwide with his lively and infectious melodies. Beyond his musical achievements, Raffi has dedicated himself to advocating for children’s rights, promoting environmental sustainability, and supporting his favorite hockey team, the Vancouver Canucks. Even if you’ve encountered a goose smooching a moose by the bay, there’s still plenty to discover about this legendary artist.
1. HIS HERITAGE SPANS ARMENIA, CANADA, AND EGYPT.
Raffi Cavoukian’s family history is rooted in resilience and artistry. His grandparents escaped the Armenian Genocide in the 1910s, relying on determination and his grandfather’s exceptional talent for creating detailed portraits to eventually settle in Cairo. In Egypt, Raffi’s father, Arto Cavoukian, built a successful career as a portrait artist, establishing a thriving studio and providing a stable life for the family in their new home.
By the late 1950s, political instability in Egypt and an unappealing repatriation initiative for Armenians left the Cavoukian family with limited opportunities for a prosperous future. Consequently, they decided to relocate to Toronto, Canada, in 1958, bringing along 10-year-old Raffi. The city offered some family connections, and as Raffi noted in his autobiography [PDF], his father found Montreal too snowy and New York too overwhelming.
2. HE’S A DIE-HARD HOCKEY ENTHUSIAST.
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Upon settling in Toronto, Raffi quickly developed a passion for Canada’s beloved sport. His earliest English musical creations were inspired by the lively play-by-play narrations from Hockey Night in Canada, often highlighting the Toronto Maple Leafs, his preferred team during those years.
Although Raffi never played professionally, his dedication to hockey has remained unwavering. After moving to British Columbia in 1990, he became a devoted supporter of the Vancouver Canucks. His admiration for the sport even led him to compose a song celebrating the game and honoring the passionate fans who sustain the NHL. As he shared with the Canucks' NHL website:
I reside on Salt Spring Island, the sole Canadian community of 10,000 people without a hockey rink … Consider the committed hockey parents who must ferry their children to Vancouver Island for games. Their dedication and support deeply inspire me, and it’s this sentiment that inspired the song.
3. HIS NAME HONORS A LEGENDARY ARMENIAN WRITER.
In his 1998 autobiography, Raffi revealed that his name pays homage to Hakob Melik Hakobian, a celebrated 19th-century Armenian poet and novelist who wrote under the pen name Raffi [PDF]. However, this tribute nearly didn’t occur. Had his mother followed tradition, children worldwide might know him by a different name:
"Traditionally, I would have been named Asadour after my maternal grandfather, but my mother had other ideas. She approached her father for a heartfelt conversation, explaining that while she loved him deeply, she wasn’t fond of his name … Asadour dismissed the matter with a colorful Turkish phrase, stating his name was unimportant and that she was free to choose another … [This] allowed my mother, Lucie, to name me after one of Armenia’s most revered writers and her favorite author."
4. HE STARTED HIS CAREER AS A PERFORMING FOLK ARTIST …
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In the early 1970s, Raffi was a regular performer at bars and cafes across Toronto and Vancouver, playing both his own compositions and traditional folk songs. During this time, his wife Deb, a teacher, was the main breadwinner of the family. A year before his breakthrough children’s album captivated audiences in Canada and the U.S., he released his first record, the 1975 folk-country album Good Luck Boy.
5. ... AND HE REFERS TO HIS CHILDREN’S MUSIC CAREER AS HIS “UNPLANNED PATH.”
In the year he achieved fame, Raffi was earning extra income by performing in elementary school classrooms through a Mariposa Folk Fest initiative. He tailored his song selections to the grade level and adapted his performances to the unique energy of each class. However, a pivotal moment occurred when he realized he was connecting with the students on a deeper level—a realization that would shape his career and lifelong advocacy. As he recounted in his autobiography:
"On that unforgettable day, as I sat before 30 children, ready to sing, a realization struck me: each child was a unique individual. This profound insight transformed my approach … From that moment on, I always saw the individual within the group, and this experience ignited my passion to better understand the world of childhood."
As stated on his website, Raffi’s “unplanned career” skyrocketed just months after that transformative moment, allowing him to transition from small classroom performances to sold-out theater events.
6. HE DECLINED A PERFORMANCE AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN.
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Despite his growing fame, Raffi remained committed to prioritizing the needs of his young audience. He understood that children engage with music in a distinct way compared to adults, and he strived to honor this in his work. For instance, when offered the chance to perform at Madison Square Garden for up to 18,000 people, he declined. As he explained in his autobiography, "While the event might have generated significant media attention, it wouldn’t have offered a meaningful experience for my young listeners."
He also noted that many of his preschool-aged fans struggled to connect the cozy experience of listening to his music at home with the overwhelming atmosphere of a crowded arena, where interaction is nearly impossible. His autobiography shares a story from the mother of a 5-year-old Ontario fan who was thrilled to "see Raffi" at an upcoming concert:
"On the day of the concert, as the mother and daughter entered the packed venue, the child became visibly distressed. When her mother asked what was wrong, the girl tearfully questioned, 'Why are all these people here?' In her mind, 'seeing Raffi' meant a personal meeting, not the overwhelming spectacle of a concert hall."
7. HE BELIEVES CHILDREN ARE MORE "LOGICAL" THAN ADULTS.
Raffi’s deep connection with children may stem from his genuine admiration for their intelligence and curiosity. In his autobiography, he wrote, "Children are the most rational individuals I’ve encountered. They spend their days trying to understand the world, seeking meaning, and solving problems. Their perspective is enchanting, and their questions reflect a sincere desire to learn."
8. A THE SIMPSONS CHARACTER, “ROOFI,” WAS INSPIRED BY HIM.
While Raffi sees children as remarkably sensible, the creators of The Simpsons took a different approach in the 2004 episode “Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays.” The character “Roofi” drives Homer, Bart, and Lisa to frustration with his repetitive songs, but the toddlers of Springfield adore him so much that their enthusiasm spirals into chaotic rioting.
9. A BELUGA WHALE SPARKED THE CREATION OF “BABY BELUGA” AND IGNITED HIS ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY.
During a 1979 visit to the Vancouver Aquarium, Raffi was captivated by Kavna, a beluga whale. "I wanted to write a song about this magnificent creature," he shared in his autobiography. "Deb suggested focusing on a baby whale, as children are naturally drawn to babies. She was right! 'Baby Beluga' became an instant favorite, enchanting listeners of all ages."
In 1988, Raffi attended a presentation highlighting the plight of beluga whales in the St. Lawrence River, which links the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The population had plummeted from 5000 during World War II to just 450, a shocking decline. Raffi wrote, "Even more devastating, autopsies of stranded belugas revealed they had suffered agonizing deaths from cancer and organ failure, their bodies riddled with toxins and lesions, rendering them hazardous waste."
This revelation spurred Raffi to channel his creative energy into environmental activism. He released the acclaimed album Evergreen Everblue in 1990, focusing on ecological education, and later collaborated with scientist David Suzuki on the 2007 rockabilly track “Cool It,” a rallying cry for climate action that became the anthem for Suzuki’s Canadian climate tour.
10. HE HAS BEEN A LEADING VOICE IN CHILD WELFARE FOR DECADES ...
Beyond using his music to advocate for children and their future, Raffi established the internationally renowned Centre for Child Honouring, a non-profit aimed at improving the lives of children today and in the future. He also co-edited the 2006 anthology Child Honouring: How to Turn This World Around, featuring a foreword by the Dalai Lama. Additionally, he co-founded the Red Hood Project to combat online bullying, which has tragically led to teen suicides in Canada and the U.S., and authored Lightweb Darkweb, exploring the impact of social media on young people. In 2005, he urged the CEO of Canada’s largest wireless company to cease marketing to children—a practice Raffi has always avoided.
11. ... AND HE ENCOURAGES “BELUGA GRADS” (NOW-ADULT FANS) TO JOIN THE CAUSE, TOO.
12. HE HAS BEEN HONORED WITH NUMEROUS AWARDS FOR HIS ACTIVISM.
Raffi’s accolades include the Fred Rogers Integrity Award from the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, the Order of Canada, the Order of British Columbia, multiple honorary doctorates from Canadian universities, and a UN environmental ambassadorship. At a 2006 event celebrating Raffi’s philosophy of child-honoring, the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia remarked:
"I believe that if we heed Raffi’s guidance, alongside his colleagues and the generation of ‘Baby Beluga’ graduates, our collective efforts will foster a more socially responsible global society … I can think of no greater aspiration than to follow Raffi’s vision toward a world where every child, like every person, is truly honored."
13. HE RECENTLY DROPPED A NEW TRACK—THIS TIME, BACKING BERNIE SANDERS.
Discover the inspiration behind the song on Raffi’s Facebook page.
