France is in mourning, with the news of the death of the iconic singer Johnny Hallyday. He died from lung cancer at the age of 74. And while Hallyday never participated in Eurovision, he was a highly influential performer to many Eurovision performers from Francophone countries.
Eurovision stars paid tribute to “the French Elvis” and shared stories of his influence on their careers.
Natasha St-Pier (France 2001)
Natasha shared a clip from a 2003 concert. Johnny had given her a break and put he on the bill in the early stages of her career in France. “I had just arrived in France, in the very beginning of my career and Johnny invited me to sing at his concert, which is big for a young beginner, because in front of the Parc des Princes there are a lot of people. And for ten days there are a LOT of people.”
Je n’oublierai pas son nom… un grand artiste nous quitte…. https://t.co/lEkT36ZEbH
— Natasha St-Pier (@Natasha_StPier) December 6, 2017
Amir (France 2016)
Amir paid tribute to Johnny with a performance of his song “Que je t’aime” at a concert last night in Bordeaux.
#VuParLePublic ? Pierre-Alexandre
Ce soir, à Bordeaux, musique et émotion. Merci Johnny, que l’on t’aime… ? #AmirTour 9??6???? pic.twitter.com/Lnds22s9h5— ???? (@Amir_Off) December 6, 2017
Lara Fabian (Luxembourg 1988)
Lara made an emotional tribute to Johnny on a Facebook video. She said, “There are people who pass through our lives and who transform our destinies. Johnny, we will miss you so much. This is who you are: a creator of destinies, a creator of joy, of happiness and infinite love. I can not imagine that today you will be up there among the stars. At the same time, for me this is where you come from. Thank you. Thank you for all that you’ve done in this life. All that I wish for you to meet you in the one after. See you soon somewhere.
Posted by Lara Fabian on Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Céline Dion (Switzerland 1988)
The French-Canadian diva paid her respects with messages in both French and English.
I'm very sad to hear the news that Johnny Hallyday passed away. He was a giant in show business…a true icon! My thoughts go out to his family, his loved ones, and to the millions of fans who adored him for many decades.He will be sadly missed, but never forgotten.- Céline xx…
— Celine Dion (@celinedion) December 6, 2017
Anggun (France 2012)
The Indonesian-French singer talked about Johnny’s kindness on tour with her. She wrote, “I was the opening act for his tour in 2005, he was very kind to me, refused to be addressed as “vous”, rose from table when he saw me coming, apologized to me when a concert had to be cancelled because of bad weather. I will keep his memory for a long time. Legends are eternal. Heartfelt thoughts… #RIPJohnnyHallyday”
J’ai fait la première partie de sa tournée de stade en 2005, il était d’une gentillesse envers moi, refuse que je le vouvoie, se lève de table quand il me voyait arriver, s’est excusé auprès de moi quand un concert devait être annulé pour cause de mauvais temps #RIPJohnnyHallyday pic.twitter.com/P6XdLeTCKT
— Anggun Official (@Anggun_Cipta) December 6, 2017
Amaury Vassili (France 2011)
Like many stars, Amaury shared stories of his experiences with Johnny. He wrote, “I had the great chance to meet the immense Johnny Hallyday and I’m so sad this morning. He is a symbol that will always stay in our hearts and our ears.” In another tweet, he shared, “Johnny Hallyday told me about his blues idols with an immeasurable passion when his last album came out. Today he must be playing his dream jam session.”
J’ai eu cette grande chance de rencontrer l’immense #JohnnyHallyday et ce matin je suis si triste! Il est un symbole qui restera a jamais dans nos Coeurs et nos Oreilles!
— Amaury Vassili (@amauryvassili) December 6, 2017
#JohnnyHallyday me parlait de ses idoles du blues avec une passion incommensurable a la sortie de son dernier album. Aujourd’hui il doit jouer le boeuf de ses reves??
— Amaury Vassili (@amauryvassili) December 6, 2017
Amandine Bourgeois (France 2013)
Amandine Bourgeois, who opened for Johnny at his 2012 concert at the Royal Albert Hall, celebrated his rock ‘n’ roll attitude. In 2014, she covered his song “Ma guele” on her album Au masculin.
Johnny Hallyday ?
Posted by Amandine Bourgeois on Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Patricia Kaas (France 2009)
Patricia shared a number of photos, including a floral tribute to Johnny.
Je n oublierais jamais cette magnifique interpretation de Lara et Johnny dans REQUIEM POUR UN FOU!!!!!!Un grand artiste Français nous a quitté j ai versé quelques larmes c est vrai !!Pour moi grand fan de l ‘ eurovision je sais qu ‘il aurait pu représenter la France et nous faire gagner!!!Magnifique interpretation d AMIR également!!!!!!!!RIP Johnny!Je ne compte plus les tubes de ce grand artiste!!!!!
Il faisait parti des icônes de la musique française, nous sommes tristes qu’il soit parti. Merci! /He was one of our iconic stars of the French music, we’re sad he’s gone. Thank You!
Very huge loss for french music and France in general
Thank you for France and french readers to make this article, we are sad….