johnny hallyday - francodiff.org

JOHNNY HALLYDAY
Ever since the beginning of his career, nearly 50 years ago, Johnny Hallyday has
become, hit after hit, tour after tour, more than a simple rock star. Today, he is
considered as a monument of the French music scene.
He sold 100 million records, won 39 gold discs, 18 platinum discs, made a 100 tours
seen by 17 million people and sang 900 songs!
The revelation came at an early age when he first saw Elvis Presley in the movie
« Lovin’ you » in 1957 and decided he would sing rock ’n roll. He was only 14.
After his début on the mythic scene of Le Golf Drout, he was noticed in 1959 on the
radio show « Paris-Cocktail » and quickly signed by Vogue.
His first record, including a Dalida cover and « souvenirs, souvenirs » came out in
1960 and achieved great success.
But not only is Johnny famous for his deep and powerful voice, he is also known for
his extravagant shows, his great generosity and inexhaustible energy.
Immediately, he proved to be a great performer, galvanizing his public, rolling himself
on the stage, which was completely new in France.
His rise was meteoric and his shows were often surrounded by an atmosphere of
mass hysteria.
People called Johnny “the youth’s idol” (l’idole des jeunes) from the title of one of his
songs. He was only eighteen and left Vogue for Philips to become the king of the
“yéyé” generation, helped in this by the development of teen press, and particularly
the monthly magazine “ Salut les copains”. For the magazine’s first birthday, Johnny
gave a concert place de la Nation where 150 000 people came to see him.
At the same period, Johnny met Sylvie Vartan, another teen idol. He left for national
service and married her when he returned in 1965. This wedding was a national
event and also contributed to improving Johnny’s rebellious image.
Always curious and open to new trends, Johnny introduced Twist and Madison in
France. In 1966, he hired Noel Redding and Jimi Hendrix, still unknown, on one of
his tours and also recorded French versions of “Hey Joe” or “Love me tender”. This
last title was more “soul”, reflecting the new sounds Johnny wanted to explore.
But singing isn’t Johnny Hallyday’s only talent, he also played in various movies
including “A tout casser” by John Berry in which he sings the theme song were
Jimmy Page’s guitar can be heard.
Touring incessantly, Johnny mainly played in France but also in the United States in
1968, Canada and even in Africa. In 1969, he played 16 nights in a row at “Le Palais
des sports” (5000 seats) with Micky Jones at the guitar and Tommy Brown from the
Blackbirds at the drums. Two albums and two hit singles (including “Que je t’aime)
later, he played again at “Le Palais des Sports”, this time accompanied by Michel
Polnareff at the piano.
In 1971, he can be seen in the movie “L’Aventure c’est l’Aventure” by Claude Lelouch
along with Lino Ventura and Jacques Brel.
In 1973, Johnny gives a concert at l’Olympia to help Bruno Coquatrix, the owner of
the place, raise money.
After having seen Elvis Presley in Las Vegas, Johnny records an album in Memphis
including adaptations of standards by Eddie Cochran and Little Richard. He moves to
LA in 1976 without slowing his production or touring.
In 1979, he creates a very original show at “Le pavillon de Paris” entitled “l’Ange aux
yeux de laser”: the angel with laser eyes where he sings for the first time one of his
biggest hits: “Ma gueule” accompanied by Gilbert Montagné at the piano.
After a divorce, and another short wedding, Johnny meets the actress Nathalie Baye
in 1982 who introduces him to many artists, incuding Jean-Luc Godard for the
cinema (Johnny plays in the movie “Détective”) or Michel Berger who writes an
album for him in 1985. During the same year, Johnny also plays at the Zénith (5000
seats) for 4 months in a row.
In 1986, Jean-Jacques Goldman, another major French artist writes an album for
Johnny entitled “The Gang”.
In 1987, he works again with Michel Berger who creates the show “Johnny se donne
à Bercy” for him. He tours with it for a year.
In 1989, Johnny tours with “Les enfoirés” a charity show organized by Les Restos du
Coeurs (created by the comic Coluche).
In 1990 he is awarded two Music Awards for his new show at Bercy: Best Show and
Biggest number of spectators.
For his new album “Ca ne change pas un homme”, he collaborates with many artists
including Jon Bon Jovi, Tony Joe White, Patrick Bruel, Art Mengo and Etienne RodaGil.
In 1992, Polygram releases 17 albums of Johnny Hallyday in 5 Box sets a few
months before 3 gigantic concerts at Le Parc des Princes (48 000 seats) for Johnny’s
50th birthday.
Johnny’s fame allows him to realize all his dreams, including a new album in English
in 1994 produced by Chris Kimsey (The Rolling Stones), concerts in small theaters or
even an unique concert in Las Vegas in front of 4300 French fans coming especially
for the concert.
In 1997, Johnny Hallyday is awarded with the Medal of Honnor (Legion d’honneur) by
the President Jacques Chirac.
Playing on his extraordinary quality as a showman, Johnny gives two concerts at Le
Stade de France (80 000 seats) in 1998 with prestigious guests such as Lara Fabian,
Florent Pagny, Pascal Obispo and Jean-Jacques Goldman.
In 1999, his album “Sang pour sang” is released, entirely written by his son, David
Hallyday and lyrics written by various artists such as the author Françoise Sagan,
Vincent Ravalec or the singer Miossec. Johnny sells 2 million albums and receives
an award for The best Album of the Year (Victoires de la musique).
But one of the main events of Johnny’s career is probably the free concert given in
june 2000 under the Eiffel Tower where 400 000 people (9 million people saw him on
TV) come to see him to celebrate 40 years of career! (600 000 pre-orders before the
album is released)
In 2002, Johnny is unanimously chosen by the French football team to sing their
hymn for the world cup.
Two very successful studio albums follow: “A la vie à la mort” (2002) which sells 1.5
million pieces, an achievement for a double CD.
And “Ma vérité” (2005) which was a double platinum disc.
In 2006, Johnny signs with Warner Music and starts the Flashback Tour : 100 nights
and more than a million spectators.
HISTORIC OF JOHNNY HALLYDAY’S
CONCERTS
Février 1960
1961, 1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1971
1976
1979
1981
1982
1984
1987
1990
1992
1993
1994
1995
1998
1998
2000
spectators)
Palais des Sports
Olympia
Grande Nuit de la Nation (200 000 people)
Olympia
Olympia
Olympia
Olympia + Palais des Sports
Tour in South America
Palais des Sports/Show de l’an 2000
Palais des Sports
Palais des Sports
Exceptionnal concert on the carry boat FOCH
Pavillon de Paris
Tour + Exceptionnal concert at Hippodrome de
Pantin
Palais des Sports / Mad Max
Zénith de Paris (4 months)
Bercy (215 000 spectators)+ 500 000 during the tour
Bercy / Award for the biggest number of spectators and
Best show
Bercy / 250 000 spectators
3 nights at Parc des Princes / 155 000 spectators
and Tour
Award for the Best concert of the year
La Cigale for 4 nights
(tickets sold in less than 2 hours)
Bercy
Show Las Vegas
3 nights at the Stade de France (240 000 spectators).
Tour
10th of june / Free concert at la Tour Eiffel (700 000
spectators)
15 of june / Parc de Sceaux (60 000 spectators)
17th of june to 25th of august/ Olympia (85 000
Stades (230 000 spectators)
2003
Tour of stadiums 3rd of june to 3rd of august/ 14 stadiums
10, 11, 14, 15th of june at Parc des Princes (205 000
spectators)
Tour « Plus près de vous » november and december 2003 1
million de spectators for the 2003 tour
SELECTIVE DISCOGRAPHY
Flashback Tour (2006)
Ma vérité (2005)
Parc des Princes, concert (2003)
À la vie, à la mort (2002)
Olympia 2000 (2000)
100% Johnny - Concert a la Tour Eiffel (2000)
Sang pour sang (1999)
Allume le Feu - Stade de France 98 (1998)
Ce que je sais (1998)
Destination Vegas (1996)
Lorada Tour (1996)
Lorada (1995)
Rough Town (1994)
Coffret guitare - 40 compacts disc en 1993
Parc des Princes, concert (1993)
Bercy 92 (1992)
Ça ne change pas un homme (1991)
Dans la chaleur de Bercy (1990)
Cadillac (1989)
Johnny à Bercy (1987)
Gang (1986)
Rock 'n' Roll Attitude (1985)
Johnny Hallyday Au Zenith (1984)
En V.O. (1984)
Nashville 84 (1984)
Entre violence et violon (1983)
Palais Des Sports 82(1982)
La peur (1982)
Quelque part un aigle (1982)
Live à Pantin (1981)
Pas facile (1981)
En pièces détachées (1981)
À partir de Maintenant (1980)
Pavillon de Paris 79 (1979)
Hollywood (1979)
Solitudes à deux (1978)
C'est la vie (1977)
Hamlet (1976)
Palais des sports 76 (1976)
Derrière l'amour (1976)
La terre promise (1975)
Rock à Memphis (1975)
Rock'n'Slow (1974)
Je t'aime, je t'aime, je t'aime (1974)
Insolitudes (1973)
Country, Folk, Rock (1972)
Palais des sports 71 (1971)
Flagrant délit (1971)
Vie (1970)
Palais des sports 69 (1969)
Rivière… ouvre ton lit (1969)
Rêve et amour (1968)
Jeune homme (1968)
Palais des sports 67 (1967)
Olympia 67 (1967)
Johnny 67 (1967)
La génération perdue (1966)
Johnny chante Hallyday (1965)
Halleluyah (1965)
Olympia 64 (1964)
Les rocks les plus terribles (1964)
Les bras en croix (1963)
Olympia 62 (1962)
Sings America's rockin'hits (1962)
Salut les copains (1961)