Tribute to Johnny Hallyday, the greatest
As one of my friends said so well, “Whoever has never seen Johnny Halliday on stage, has seen nothing”.
Everything has been said about Johnny, filmed, photographed, published, but when you’re a star, it’s difficult to have a private life.
What a career for this very young blond man with ‘transparent’ blue eyes and who, for his first interview (in black and white), very shy, with Madame Line Renaud as godmother, did not imagine such a future, supported by millions fans, and still to this day, more than sixty years later.
Where are you from Johnny?
Everyone knows his difficult history with mom and dad, but let’s not go into his private life which only concerns him. The aim of these few lines is to share with you the journey of an extraordinary artist who, we all hope, will give us unforgettable moments for a long time to come.
His real name Jean-Philippe Smet (it’s pretty) was born on June 15, 1943. Let’s go through several years during which he made a few family encounters.
In 1954, while still very young, he made an appearance in the film “Les diaboliques” by Henri-George Clouzot (if you have the opportunity, watch this film carefully, you will recognize our Johnny Hallyday without difficulty). Perhaps the future of a great career in cinema… but life has decided otherwise, although he has a few films to his credit, we will see that a little later.
A first crush when he saw the film “Loving You” at the cinema with a certain Elvis Presley, whose footwork our Johnny would copy a little later. At the end of the 1950s, he met Long Chris (stage name) whose daughter he married (twice) (the very pretty Adeline) many years later, and frequented the very renowned Golf Drouot.
TOP 1. Leave the girls
This is the release of his first 45 rpm in 1960.
Some titles published by the big house VOGUE, songs that were completely forgotten and which must not have had a huge success (Laisse les fille, for example). But a magazine “SALUT LES COPAINS” is interested in him, all the artists are reviewed, but Johnny Hallyday will be like a subscriber to this magazine.
And over time, it will quickly become a reader’s favorite. All old-timers like me will understand this little play on words (I was lucky enough to read all the Hello Friends and keep a few), nothing but happiness. At 19, he represented the youth of the time, he was the idol of young people.
TOP 2. Hold back the night
At the time and still today, who doesn’t know or hasn’t hummed this beautiful, sweet song (you have to take advantage of it, because Rock is coming).
After having opened for shows for great French artists, Johnny Hallyday performed at the Alhambra and the Olympia (a little nod to Monsieur Coquatrix, some of whom owe him a lot…), his career was already well launched, and the armchairs too… The opportunity to shoot a first major film with the very young and beautiful Catherine Deneuve, ‘Les Parisiennes’ and to offer us ‘Retiens la nuit’.
At the beginning of the 60s, he made a film where he gave a great performance ‘Where do you come from Johnny’. A story which begins in Paris (with the pretty Sylvie Vartan at his side) and which ends in this very beautiful region that is the Camargue. The sun, the blue sky, the horses (Johnny very good and handsome rider with the face of an angel), and the opportunity to meet Fernand Sardou… Michel’s dad, and Daniel Cauchy, Patrick Barou, among others. A film where Johnny seems very comfortable, perhaps a taste of the great American outdoors???
TOP 3. For me life is about to begin
A 45 rpm with a beautiful cover representing our handsome Johnny Hallyday on a Camargue horse galloping in the marshes, that’s already great.
Like many of us, a passage to compulsory military service, the opportunity to see our idol in beautiful military uniform with a slight rank, or in full maneuvers with his comrades, or in the evening at the vigil, the guitar around his neck to play pleasure to friends (I would have liked to be one of them). A good way for the army to be appreciated and also to publish some photos for all the fans (already) who are impatiently awaiting its return.
A little anecdote (according to one of his friends), on leave, he was in such a hurry to get home to see Sylvie, that the car trip took place without any stops and so he ‘peed’ in a bottle, you didn’t know that … Well its done.
TOP 4. Black is black
A song where Johnny expresses his voice well, good music (with, as always, very good musicians), and over time he will choose the best.
What a beautiful couple, Johnny and Sylvie, newlyweds on April 12, 1965, machine-gunned by photographers, smothered by a delirious crowd. The couple is a dream… It must be said that they were magnificent.
Everything is coming together, increasingly important galas everywhere, the birth of their son David, some beautiful songs including one that everyone knows ‘San Francisco’, the hippie era. A new film ‘To Break Everything’ with the great Eddie Constantine, motorbikes, leather jackets, fights, all the young people go to see Johnny at the cinema and identify with him. Already more than the idol of young people.
TOP 5. I was born on the street
One of the most beautiful songs from his album (River, open your bed).
He will celebrate his ten-year career on stage with the Rolling STONES, in a grandiose staging for this show.
The same year he will shoot a spaghetti western by Sergio Corbucci, a film without much success despite a very handsome Johnny in this role, a beautiful cinema poster… but not everyone can replace Clint Eastwood.
TOP 6. Jesus Christ
A title that made a lot of noise with a bearded and hairy Johnny, he was handsome all the same, it was the hippie era.
Lots of new titles, shows all over France and abroad (Canada, South Africa, Latin America, etc…). Johnny who lived at a hundred miles an hour, crazy about motorcycles and racing cars (he will have the most beautiful motorcycles and the most beautiful cars, but he will have a serious accident with his great love Sylvie). Another film where he will play his own role under the direction of Claude Lelouch, the opportunity to meet and make friends with big names like Jacques Brel, Lino Ventura, Charles Gérard and Aldo Maccionne. A good moment of cinema, a must-see.
In 1973, he released an album with a song that is still a hit today: “The music that I love”. Even if there are covers, only he can sing it, this title sticks to him and his interpretation is brilliant. Another important title, remember… Johnny and Sylvie on a motorcycle, their beautiful blond hair in the wind, singing… “I have a problem, I think I love you…” Beautiful song to bring this together again couple after separation.
TOP 7. Requiem for a Madman
We can’t forget such a beautiful song…
Other titles that he still sings (Derrière l’amour, Joue pas de rock’n’roll pour moi, Gabrielle and Requiem pour un fou), a few songs among others, but when you love Johnny Hallyday, you love all his songs.
1977, the death of Elvis Presley whom he never met, and the release of a very beautiful title ‘I forgot to live’.
Two years later, during a show, his son David surprised him (or not surprised) by coming to play a piece on the drums. This kid has talent and he will confirm it in the future. In 1982 he offered his audience a great show inspired by the film Mad Max. The same year he met the actress Nathalie Baye who transformed him and gave him a pretty little Laura. And yes yet another new album, this time with Michel Berger Something from Tennessee, The abandoned singer and Rock’n’roll attitude.
You guys are real fans…I hear you humming all these tunes.
Other films like ‘Detective’ by Jean-Luc Godard, ‘Family Council’ by Costa-Gavras and another album, in charge of Jean-Jacques Goldman with ‘I’m waiting for you, I want you, I promise you… and Laura’. White hair and fiction, Johnny releases ‘Terminus’, a film without success.
At the same time we see him on stage supporting Jacques Chirac with a view to the future presidential election, and on television cutting off the nose of his Guignols puppet.
A few years later he will participate in a concert at the Fête de l’Humanité, and all this with the death of his father, and his marriage to Adeline.
TOP 8. The hymn to love
When we had the chance to see one of his shows and hear this interpretation at the end of the recital, believe me, and as they say, we had hair… Not a sound, not a breath apart from the his, it was grandiose, it was Johnny.
He is 50 years old, in 1993 and to celebrate this he will put on a very big show at the Parc des Princes where he will cross the crowd not without difficulty but to the great pleasure of all his fans (the crossing was difficult and risky but for our Johnny, nothing is impossible). Two years later he gave a concert at Bercy with a finale of a song by Edith Piaf ‘The Hymn to Love’, thrills guaranteed, it was superb. This is the year in which he will meet Laeticia who will become his wife to this day.
TOP 9. All the music I love
The blues in all its grandeur…
Pascal Obispo composed an album for him (Ce que je sais) and Zazie a song which will ignite his audience ‘Light the fire’. Concert at the Stade de France with an arrival by helicopter (with Michel Drucker at the controls), lots of comments on this arrival, it’s him… it’s not him… well YES it was him, grandiose spectacle once again , as only he can do. Bercy, the Olympia and… the Eiffel Tower which will accommodate 1 million people. And in this great concert he will light the fire.
In 2002 he released a new album including a very beautiful song ‘Marie’. It is he who will also perform ‘All together’ the anthem of the 2002 World Cup. The Paris-Dakar will be part of his adventures the same year (after having done so well before the Monte-Carlo Rally).
60 years old in the year 2003, the opportunity to celebrate his birthday with four concerts at the Parc des Princes… and all his fans will be there.
The release of a film ‘Jean-Philippe’ alongside Fabrice Lucchini where he plays his own role, to see…
Health problems will come to thwart his career and his life and worry all his admirers and all others, fans of Johnny Hallyday or not.
TOP 10. Light the fire
What a crazy atmosphere, he often lit the fire for our idol and what power in the voice, you have to have seen and heard it.
Tours, Bercy, the Stade de France, all the other venues and each time always so many people, faithful to the meetings, young and old, young and old. At 70, he filmed with his friend Claude Lelouch (impossible to refuse him) ‘Bastard we love you’, a very good film accompanied by his lifelong friend Eddy Mitchell. Personally the end of this story hurt me a lot, but fortunately it’s only cinema. A must-see movie.
At 70 years old, he offers us 3 concerts in Bercy with very close contact with his audience and a tour across France. LOVE for all. And our Johnny announces a tour in 2017 with his two lifelong FRIENDS Eddy Mitchell and Jacques Dutronc, after publicly announcing his cancer. Now, after a life filled at two hundred miles an hour, a fight awaits him: overcoming illness. Johnny, WE ARE ALL WITH YOU.
We could have made a TOP 1000 with all his songs, maybe another time.
………..Wednesday December 6, 2017, like every morning I turn on the radio and my throat closes, the terrible news has just fallen, how can we believe that, Johnny Hallyday is immortal, the whole of France is sad, Johnny you are going to us miss.
For you, we tried to hold back the night, but today black is black and even very black. You are everywhere, on TV, on the radio, on social networks, all your songs are on display, videos, your shows, your life which belongs to us a little. WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT. With more than 1000 songs, endless scenes, films, cars, motorcycles, it’s impossible to list everything. You have been in our hearts for over 60 years and you will be forever. What more can be said ?
A new star shines in the sky, it’s yours Johnny, sorry… Mr. Johnny Hallyday.
Bye…
We promise you… That no one will ever forget you.
