It was a state funeral in all but name. Paris came to a standstill as millions bade an emotional adieu to France’s biggest rock star, Johnny Hallyday, on Saturday, reports The Telegraph.
Huge crowds thronged the streets of the French capital, chanting “Johnny, Johnny”, as a parade of 700 bikers lent a rock ’n’ roll flourish to the solemn cortege along the Champs Elysées. President Macron delivered an eulogy that moved many to tears.
Johnny Hallyday, the “French Elvis”, who died of lung cancer aged 74, was almost unknown in the English-speaking world, but in France he enjoyed a status comparable to royalty.
The public outpouring of grief was reminiscent of Princess Diana’s funeral. It was not just a farewell but a celebration of Hallyday’s life, as if he was performing one final concert before his burial in the Caribbean island of Saint Bathélemy on Monday.
They belted out the words, swaying from side to side, as his musicians played instrumental versions of his rock anthems such as “Something of Tennessee,” a homage to the American playwright Tennessee Williams.
Some hurled bouquets of flowers on to the slow-moving hearse carrying his coffin.
His wife Laeticia, 42, walked behind, wearing dark glasses in the bright winter sunshine, accompanied by the couple’s two daughters.
The crowd fell silent as the hearse drew to a halt in front of the Madeleine Church.
Standing on the steps of the 19th century church, with a gigantic portrait of Hallyday adorning its neo-classical facade, Mr Macron was visibly moved.
“I’m almost expecting him to suddenly emerge from somewhere, on a motorbike. He’d begin the first song, and you’d sing along with him… He would tell you that he loves you,” the president told the crowd.