Johnny Hallyday was a French musician, singer, and actor credited with bringing rock and roll to France.
His debut single, "T'aimer follement," was released in 1960, marking the start of his illustrious career.
Hallyday was married five times, including to famous singer Sylvie Vartan, with whom he had a son.
Biography
Early Life
Johnny Hallyday, born Jean-Philippe Léo Smet on June 15, 1943, in Paris, France, was the son of a Belgian father and a French mother. His father, Léon Smet, a nightclub performer, left the family shortly after his birth, leading Hallyday to be raised by his mother and aunt. He adopted the stage name Johnny Hallyday from a cousin-in-law who introduced him to American music, which would heavily influence his career.
Career
Hallyday's career took off in the 1960s when he became known for bringing rock and roll to France, inspired by icons like Elvis Presley. His debut single, "T'aimer follement," was released in 1960, followed by his first album, "Hello Johnny." He achieved significant success with hits like "Viens Danser Le Twist," which sold over a million copies. Throughout his career, Hallyday released numerous albums, including "Johnny Hallyday et ses 'fans' au festival de rock 'n' roll" and "Salut les copains!" He was known for his dynamic performances, including a memorable appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show and a concert where the Jimi Hendrix Experience opened for him.
Personal Life
Hallyday's personal life was marked by five marriages, including a notable union with singer Sylvie Vartan, with whom he had a son, David. He also had a daughter, Laura, with actress Nathalie Baye. His last marriage to Læticia Boudou lasted until his death in 2017, and they adopted two daughters from Vietnam. Hallyday spent much of his later life in Los Angeles and was known for his love of riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Legacy
Often referred to as "the French Elvis," Hallyday left an indelible mark on the music scene, blending rock and roll with French chanson. He received numerous accolades, including being made a Knight of the Legion of Honour. Despite his fame in France, he remained relatively unknown in the English-speaking world, earning the title of "the biggest rock star you've never heard of." His influence continues to resonate, as seen in tributes from artists like Jimmy Buffett.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
Country, Folk, Rock1972
- 1.Ma main au feu2:39
- 2.Joe, la ville et moi5:18
- 3.Hello U.S., U.S.A.2:39
- 4.Mon amour à Marie4:30
- 5.Comme si je devais mourir demain2:51
- 6.E Dio crea la donna4:12
- 7.Rien ne vaut cett’ fille‐là3:27
- 8.Viens le soleil2:56
- 9.Toi, tu voles l’amour3:19
- 10.Sauvez-moi4:07
- 11.Tomber c’est facile3:52
- 12.Comme un lion en hiver3:26
Flagrant délit1971
- 1.Flagrant délit3:28
- 2.Fils de personne2:51
- 3.Oh ma jolie Sarah4:48
- 4.Il faut boire à la source2:27
- 5.Fille de la nuit3:10
- 6.Si tu pars la première3:47
- 7.L'Autre Moitié3:53
- 8.La Loi3:58
- 9.Que j'aie tort ou raison4:27
- 10.Tant qu'il y aura des trains3:24
Vie1970
- 1.Essayez4:24
- 2.Lire dans tes yeux3:11
- 3.La Pollution5:00
- 4.Rendez-moi le soleil3:04
- 5.Dans ton univers4:07
- 6.C’est écrit sur les murs3:40
- 7.Poème sur la 7e2:25
- 8.La Fille aux cheveux clairs3:11
- 9.Le monde entier va sauter3:09
- 10.Deux amis pour un amour3:33
- 11.Jésus Christ3:10
Johnny Hallyday1969
- 1.Riviere… ouvre ton lit4:20
- 2.Voyage au pays des vivants3:38
- 3.Amen (Bang Bang)3:29
- 4.Viens2:21
- 5.Reclamation (News Report)3:28
- 6.Regarde pour moi (What You Will)4:23
- 7.Je te veux3:35
- 8.Les Anges de la nuit2:51
- 9.Je n’ai besoin de personne3:05
- 10.Je suis ne dans la rue5:41
Jeune homme1968
- 1.Jeune homme3:04
- 2.Je n'ai pas voulu croire3:02
- 3.Au pays des aveugles3:15
- 4.À tout casser2:47
- 5.Cheval d'acier2:29
- 6.Le Mauvais Rêve2:30
- 7.Mal2:32
- 8.Quand l'aigle est blessé2:16
- 9.L'Histoire de Bonnie and Clyde2:58
- 10.Ma vie à t'aimer2:55
- 11.Le ciel nous fait rêver2:20
- 12.Hitparade3:00
Rêve et amour1968
- 1.Entre mes mains2:50
- 2.Cours plus vite Charly2:22
- 3.Non, ne me dis pas adieu3:00
- 4.En rêve2:29
- 5.Attention2:35
- 6.Je pars demain2:45
- 7.Fumée3:11
- 8.Je suis l’amour2:22
- 9.J’ai peur, je t’aime2:48
- 10.Sans une larme2:30
- 11.Dans ma vie3:15
- 12.Quand on sifflait2:53
Johnny 671967
- 1.Amour d’été3:15
- 2.J’ai crié a la nuit3:03
- 3.C’est mon imagination3:05
- 4.Je m’accroche à mon rêve2:07
- 5.Je n’ai jamais rien demandé2:52
- 6.Lettre de fans2:20
- 7.Aussi dur que du bois2:57
- 8.Pourquoi as-tu peur de la vie ?3:00
- 9.La Seule Vraie Musique2:24
- 10.La Petite Fille de l’hiver3:06
- 11.Son amour pour un jeu3:01
- 12.Petite Fille2:35
La Génération perdue1966
- 1.La Génération perdue3:17
- 2.On s’est trompé2:47
- 3.Je me suis lavé les mains dans une eau sale3:02
- 4.Quand un homme perd ses rêves2:44
- 5.Don’t Need Nobody3:29
- 6.De loin en loin2:22
- 7.Noir c’est noir3:16
- 8.La Fille à qui je pense3:01
- 9.Je veux te graver dans ma vie2:54
- 10.Le Jeu que tu joues2:30
- 11.Elle reviendra3:18
- 12.Cheveux longs et idées courtes3:42
Hallelujah1965
- 1.Mes yeux sont fous
- 2.Les monts près du ciel
- 3.On a ses jours
- 4.Tu ne me verras pas pleurer
- 5.Juste un peu de temps
- 6.Celui qui t'a fait pleurer
- 7.Quand revient la nuit
- 8.Rock'n'roll musique
- 9.Va-t'en
- 10.Hallelujah (Pour nos joies et pour nos peines)
- 11.Pleurer auprès de toi
- 12.Plus je te regarde
- 13.Zeep a dee yeh
Johnny chante Hallyday1965
- 1.Mon anneau d'or2:52
- 2.Tu as de la chance2:54
- 3.Toi qui t'en vas3:35
- 4.Le diable me pardonne2:43
- 5.Ne crois pas ça2:39
- 6.Un jour ou l'autre2:03
- 7.Tu oublieras mon nom1:48
- 8.À deux heures de chez toi2:18
- 9.Avec une chanson2:17
- 10.Je bois à sa santé2:26
- 11.Ne joue pas ce jeu là2:07
- 12.Dis à mon frère2:19
N°6 (Les Guitares Jouent)1964
Tracklist not collected yet.
N°7 (Le Pénitencier)1964
- 1.Le Pénitencier "The House Of The Rising Sun"4:05
- 2.Toujours Plus Loin2:02
- 3.Mais Je Reviens "I'm The Lonely One"2:15
- 4.Ça Fait Mal "It Hurts Me"2:26
- 5.One More Time,Encore Une Fois2:15
- 6.Je Te Reverrai "I'll Be Seeing You"3:55
- 7.Les Mauvais Garçons1:57
- 8.Pour Moi Tu Es La Seule "Sweet Lovin' Mamma"2:58
Johnny, reviens ! Les Rocks les plus terribles1964
- 1.Johnny, reviens !2:24
- 2.Lucille2:31
- 3.Au rythme et au blues2:25
- 4.Tu me quittes1:59
- 5.Celui que tu préfères1:51
- 6.Rien que huit jours2:40
- 7.Frankie et Johnny2:34
- 8.Ô Carole2:50
- 9.Belle1:49
- 10.Susie-Lou2:24
- 11.Sally1:52
- 12.Oh ! laisse-la partir2:08
- 13.J'ai oublié de me souvenir2:21
- 14.C'est fini miss Molly2:24
L’Idole des jeunes1963
Tracklist not collected yet.
Les Bras en croix1963
Tracklist not collected yet.
N°5 (Da Dou Ron Ron - Les Bras En Croix)1963
Tracklist not collected yet.
Retiens la nuit1962
Tracklist not collected yet.
Sings America's Rockin' Hits1962
Tracklist not collected yet.
Nº3 (Madison Twist)1962
Tracklist not collected yet.
Nous les gars, nous les filles1961
Tracklist not collected yet.
Johnny Hallyday et ses "fans" au festival de rock 'n' roll1961
Tracklist not collected yet.
Tête à tête avec Johnny Hallyday1961
Tracklist not collected yet.
Viens danser le twist1961
Tracklist not collected yet.
Salut les copains !1961
Tracklist not collected yet.
Hello Johnny1960
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Disques Vogue
- Record label
- Universal Music France
- Record label
- Warner Music Group
- Record label
- PolyGram
Achievements
- Award
- Knight of the Legion of Honour
- Award
- Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres
- Award
- Officer of the Order of the Crown
- Award
- Victoires de la Musique – Male artist of the year
- Award
- Victory of the album of chansons, variety
- Award
- Victory of honor
- Award
- Victory of the rock album
Groups
- Les Vieilles Canaillescurrent
- Les Enfoirés1989–1989
- Les Enfoirés1997–1998
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Jean-Philippe Léo Smet, Jean-Philippe Smet, Johnny Halliday, Johnny Halyday
Jean-Philippe Léo Smet, better known by his stage name Johnny Hallyday, was a French rock and roll and pop singer and actor, credited with having brought rock and roll to France.
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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