Johnny Hallyday, France’s biggest rock star, has died after a battle with lung cancer. He was 74.
An iconic rock ‘n’ roller and occasional actor, Hallyday (born Jean-Philippe Smet) was one of Europe’s most popular recording artists, selling an estimated 80 million records over a decades-long career.
Hallyday, who died Tuesday (Dec. 5), struggled with a series of health problems in the past decade and, according to multiple media reports, was hospitalized in Paris last month due to respiratory difficulties associated with lung cancer treatments. Earlier this year, Hallyday announced his cancer diagnosis, but took aim at “certain media outlets” for spreading “alarmist information” about the state of his health.
Hallyday’s wife announced the news of his passing Tuesday in a statement, AFP reported. “Johnny Hallyday has left us… I write these words without believing them. But yet, it’s true. My man is no longer with us… He left us tonight as he lived his whole life, with courage and dignity,” the statement reads.
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Though he never managed to break America, Hallyday was adored in his homeland and other French-speaking countries, filling arenas and stadiums well into retirement age. Hallyday was also immensely popular among fellow rock and pop stars, many of whom paid their respects to the “French Elvis” on social media. Check out tributes from Celine Dion, Lenny Kravitz, Richie Sambora and others below.
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
Farewell Dear @JohnnySjh. Your friendship, sweetness and support are imprinted in my heart. It is an honor to have known you and to have spent time with you and your beautiful family. Your soul is pure Rock and Roll. Repose en paix. –: @candyTman pic.twitter.com/1ZAFUewHlo
— Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) December 6, 2017
Goodbye to my friend…@JohnnySjh … we will miss you pal..Thanks for all you gave us…
— RICHIE SAMBORA (@TheRealSambora) December 6, 2017
I’m just gutted to hear Johnny Hallyday has died. He was a loyal friend and lovely, fearless performer and he will be missed by millions. My heart goes out to his family and friends today. RIP JoJo and thank you for all the music.
— Brian Ray (@brianrayguitar) December 6, 2017
RIP johnny hallyday ———- dingrie
— Tarek .B (@TaarekOfficiel) December 6, 2017
R.I.P. JOHNNY HALLYDAY, aka the French Elvis, whose cover of “The House of the Rising Sun” always gave me chills… https://t.co/yQuPLAeQOR
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) December 6, 2017
On a tous en nous quelque chose de Johnny Hallyday. Le public de fans et de fidèles qu’il s’était acquis est en larmes. Nous n’oublierons ni son nom, ni sa gueule, ni sa voix. Le voici au panthéon de la chanson où il rejoint les légendes du rock et du blues qu’il aimait tant.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 6, 2017
On a tous en nous quelque chose de Johnny. https://t.co/1z35AuH4bJ
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 6, 2017