Raffi Biography

Raffi Cavoukian, CM, OBC (born July 8, 1948), usually known simply as Raffi, is a popular children's entertainer in Canada, the United States, and the English speaking Western world at large. Some of his best known songs are "Bananaphone," "Baby Beluga," "Down by the Bay," "Shake My Sillies Out," and "All I Really Need."

Born in Cairo of Armenian parents, he spent his early years in Egypt before emigrating with his family to Toronto in 1958. Today, Raffi resides on Mayne Island near Victoria, British Columbia. In recent years he has devoted himself to Child Honouring, which seeks to create a humane and sustainable world by addressing the universal needs of the very young. He founded the Troubadour Foundation to support this cause, and in 2006 published a book, "Turn This World Around," which argues that Child Honouring can be a potent remedy for the world's most pressing issues. In 1983, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada. He was awarded the Order of British Columbia in 2001. His sister is Dr. Ann Cavoukian, Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner.

On January 4, 2004, Raffi was parodied as "Roofi" on the American animated sitcom The Simpsons in the episode Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays.

In October 2006, Raffi was presented with the Fred Rogers Integrity Award by the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood at the Judge Baker Children's Center in Boston for his consistent refusal to use his music in endorsements that market products directly to children.