Johnny Hallyday's Last Concert Along Champs Elysees as Devoted Fans Sang The Words To Honour His Memory

Hallyday was a motorcycle enthusiast and would often be found atop his Harley on the vast California desert for weeks and months at a time.

(Image: Johnny Hallyday archives)

Life, as we know it, is fleeting – a temporary gift sent from above for us to do with as we wish. And some lives have been more impactful than most. Eight days ago, the whole of France, mourned the passing of one musician that contributed to the rise of the rock ‘n’ roll culture of France.

To his fans he is Johnny Hallyday, but to his family, he is better known as Jean-Philippe Smet. Born in Nazi-occupied Paris in 1943, the “French Elvis” was 74 years old when he died of lung cancer before 3 a.m. on December 6, 2017.

Thousands of people gathered to bid Hallyday a tearful adieu, with a resounding chanting of his name among the solemn cortege, ever devoted to their idol, some even throwing bouquets of flowers on to the slow-moving hearse. They honoured his memory by singing along instrumental versions of his “rock anthems” played by his band, swaying side to side in time with the music. About 700 bikers were there to also show their support of the avid motorcyclist as the procession moved along the Champs Elysées.

(Image: Best Image/Vantage News)

Meanwhile, Hallyday’s wife, Laeticia (42), could be seen in the back behind dark glasses alongside their two daughters and Hallyday’s other children, grand-children, and two of his ex-wives.

As the hearse approached the Madeleine Church, it was as if the harsh reality of the event came upon the crowd, stealing their breath as they waited in anticipation for someone to give words their grief.

(Image: Thibault Camus/AP)

At last, their President, Emmanuel Macron, took to the microphone. “Johnny was yours. Johnny was his public. Johnny was his country.” And as he ended his speech, he requested the crowd, wherever they were, to applaud Monsieur Johhny Hallyday “so that he never dies”, followed by an eruption of cheers and claps as First Lady Brigitte Macron hugged the newly-widowed, Mrs Hallyday.

Also present at the mournful ceremony were two former Presidents and their significant others, Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni as well as François Hollande and Julie Gayet.

Film stars such as Marion Cotillard, Carole Bouquet, Jean Reno, and Jean Dujardin were also seen at the gathering of thousands.

(Image: Twitter)

Au revoir, Monsieur Hallyday.