Johnny Hallyday has died aged 74. He was France's biggest 'rock star'; he was the self-styled 'French Elvis'.
His greatest dream was to break through into the US market, but it never happened. My favourite Johnny story was connected to this US dream of his; he booked a huge venue in Las Vegas, and sold all the tickets to his fans back home in France. He just wanted to be able to say that he'd held a sell-out concert in the USA; which he did, but to an all French audience.
So, goodbye Johnny. You will be missed by millions of fans here in France, but sadly your fame always rested within her bounds .
I remember him. He did get some press in the US and had some fame. He was, as you said, referred to as the French Elvis. That is not so bad.
ReplyDeleteFame is fleeting and I wonder if Elvis had not died so young (43?), would he have been able to sustain his fame. He (his estate) got richer with his tragic death.
He was obsessed by becoming known in the US. Most of his album covers showed him in US locations, aboard a Harley, or driving some big 1950's car. I'm pleased that at least someone knows of him.
DeleteI loved "Que Je t'aime" and many others from my time living in France. I was walking down the Danforth (street in central Toronto) perhaps three years ago and to my incredulity it would have been possible to see him in a small club for about C$40 (25 pounds). I should have gone but had my wife and small baby at home at the time. It really was a tiny, 500-seater club or something. Sad that his work never translated, though he was a friend of Jagger and various others...
DeleteSo now, due to you Cro, more of us know of Johnny. And being a big fish in a little pond is certainly not the worst accomplishment in life.
ReplyDeleteHe was a HUGE star here, and in other Francophile countries.
DeleteI remember the name but can't remember anything he sang. What was his most famous song?
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't know; I wasn't really a fan.
DeleteQue Je t'aime (google the live at the Zenith/Olympia version); On Appelle Ca Le Rock and Roll, Ye-Ye, etc etc...
DeleteHe was spoken about today here on radio. I have never heard of him. His record sales were phenomenal, but after hearing one track of his music, I wasn't keen to hear more.
ReplyDeleteThe French are better at Ballads than Rock-n-Roll.
DeleteHe was upstaged by Birkin and Gainsborg in the end.
ReplyDeleteThey were far more interesting. Lady M was at school with La Birkin.
DeleteHe was a legend, France will miss him.
ReplyDeleteStreets and Squares will be named after him!
DeleteI always liked his voice and didn't realise that his popularity didn't really spread beyond France Cro.
ReplyDeleteI think it was mostly a question of language, but I think he did sing in Anglais too.
DeleteWhen we first came, our French teacher was gobsmacked that we didn't know him (I did, but not any of his hits). She made us listen to her rendition of several of his songs. Didn't make us a fan, but we appreciate his fame with our friends and neighbours.
ReplyDeleteBefore I came to live here I knew of Francoise Hardy, and that was it!
DeleteSo sad. I do not know his work that much, but was fascinated by the movie Man on the Train. So excellent!
ReplyDeleteMulti talented.
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