Singer brought US rock to France
JOHNNY HALLYDAY
Johnny Hallyday, the French rock legend who came to fame in the early 1960s with cover versions of American rock ’n’ roll hits and continued to sell out concerts in France for decades, died Wednesday at his home outside Paris. He was 74.
Fans — many in tears or carrying flowers — gathered outside the home to honor the rocker.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Hallyday, who was often called “the French Elvis,” “brought a part of America into our national pantheon.”
Many Americans had never heard of Hallyday, but he was considered a godlike figure in France, where a survey once indicated he could get elected president. He was presented the Legion of Honor in 1997.
“Hearing about Johnny’s death has hurt us because Johnny is our God and nobody can replace him,” fan Yves Buisson said outside the family’s gated home. Buisson’s arms were covered with tattoos of the star.
The Elvis-inspired rocker scored early hits with cover versions of U.S. records such as “Be-Bop-A-Lula,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On,” “Long Tall Sally” and “Let’s Twist Again.” His early appearances caused riots.
“Johnny Hallyday introduced American rock ’n’ roll to a vast French-speaking audience around the world,” said Howard Kramer, curatorial director at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. “He never really broke out of Europe, but his success was so massive he didn’t really need to.”
Hallyday reportedly sold more than 100 million records and performed before more than 15 million people. In 1966, he had Jimi Hendrix as an opening act.
Hallyday had a farewell concert series in 2009, but decades on the road had worn him down. He had lung cancer and repeated health scares.