(Paris) Wearing scarves in the name of their idol or heavy leather jackets, early fans kicked off the Johnny Hallyday the exhibitionwhich opened its doors on 3000 m2 Friday in Paris.
A large part of them discovered the space of 3000 m2 dedicated to the French favorite rocker a year ago in Brussels during its inauguration, and the exhibition is now in Paris, Porte de Versailles.
“Johnny represents fifty years of my life during which I attended 350 of his concerts,” confides Danielle Ruiz, 71, president of an association of fans of the singer who died on December 5, 2017.
Mireille Sirgnac made the trip from Marseille.
PHOTO KENZO TRIBOUILLARD, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
In the middle of the exhibition hall sits a room where giant screens broadcast an immersive 360° concert. Sitting on “ flight cases » converted into seats for the occasion, some fans scream in front of the singer’s face in giant version, and recite each lyric religiously, some shedding a tear.
“I bought my ticket five months ago, as soon as I learned that the event would be held in Paris. I plan to return in January and April. I’m so excited that I haven’t slept all night,” says the fifty-year-old.
Produced by Laeticia Hallyday, widow of the star, and Tempora, a Belgian agency specializing in the design of exhibitions, the event offers visitors the opportunity to let themselves be guided by the voice of actor Jean Reno, friend of the singer, through the mazes of site in the shape of a guitar until June 19.
Several reconstructions of symbolic places in Johnny’s life welcome his admirers, from the room he occupied as a teenager to his office in the villa in Marnes-la-Coquette, near Paris.
Founder of a motorcycle club who had “the honor of riding with the star”, Henri Vancraeyenest came to honor the memory of his “friend”.
PHOTO JULIEN DE ROSA, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
The tribute continued at 13 rue de la Tour des Dames in the IXe arrondissement Friday afternoon, where Laeticia Hallyday, her daughters Joy (left) and Jade (right) inaugurated a plaque in the name of Johnny Hallyday.
“Johnny, that was our life. This exhibition continues to keep his legend alive. In any case, a myth like his never really dies,” he says, accompanied by other members of his club with carefully waxed mustaches.
In the middle of the exhibition hall sits a room where giant screens broadcast an immersive 360° concert. Sitting on “ flight cases » converted into seats for the occasion, some fans scream in front of the singer’s face in giant version, and recite each lyric religiously, some shedding a tear.
The tribute continued at 13 rue de la Tour des Dames in the IXe arrondissement Friday afternoon, where Laeticia Hallyday, her daughters Jade and Joy as well as the deputy mayor of Paris Laurence Patrice inaugurated a plaque in the name of Johnny Hallyday.
“Jean-Philippe Smet, known as Johnny Hallyday, French rock icon (1943-2017) grew up here,” we can read.