I opened the New York Times website on my computer this morning and saw that Johnny Hallyday had died. For those of you unfamiliar with the name, Hallyday was a popular singer and actor in France. Most of his works were covers of others’ tunes. The Times obituary links to a 1970’s video of him singing “Blue Suede Shoes” in a very Elvis-esque style, down to the sequined jumpsuit and swiveling hips.
As we were walking around Lyon today, I heard and saw numerous homages to Hallyday. A grocery store was playing Hallyday tunes, including his version of the Beatles’ “Got to Get You into My Life.” A music store set up a display window devoted to his work. And the table at the downtown tourist office had a sign: “Merci, Johnny.” France has lost two icons this year; first Jerry Lewis, now Johnny Hallyday. Who’s next, Brigitte Bardot?
Postscript, 12/8/17: Another French icon has passed, but not Bardot. Jean d’Ormesson, who was a member of L’Académie Française, died on December 5. The “Quarante Immortels” (40 Immortals) of the Académie are charged with protecting the purity of the French language. (So how come I see French-English mashup signs all over town?) This Washington Post obit offers an explainer.
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