Johnny Hallyday (born Jean-Philippe Smet) is the most famous rock star that you’ve never heard of. He is to France what Bob Dylan is to America and has been laying down rock ‘n’ roll for half a century. Influenced by Elvis Presley and other 50’s rockers, Johnny quickly picked up on the music, dipping his toes in the water as a teenager. Living in London at the height of the 60’s, he quickly became part of the musical circles that would shape decades to come: Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Mick Jagger, John Lennon, Peter Frampton and Rod Stewart. Today, he has sold more than 100 million records, 21 platinum albums, 15 French Music Awards; has appeared in 36 movies and has performed to more than 30 million fans around the world.

The performance at the Beacon was his New York City debut, save for a private performance he had done for Jackie Kennedy in 1960. With a cheering crowd, Johnny fared well with the city crowd, as did his newly-released 48 studio album, L’Attente. Dispersed throughout were nostalgic nuggets of rock’s most finest era. Commemorating late friend Jimi Hendrix, Hallyday dipped into a French rendition of “Hey Joe” which featured his music director / lead guitarist Yarol Poupaud and guest guitarist of Foreigner, Mick Jones. Just like the 1968 Elvis Presley TV special—Johnny stood on stage with his Gibson at the center of a semi-circle surrounded by a stand-up bass, acoustic and electric guitars, his drummer and a harp player. The band started off playing Thomas and Brigg’s 1953 “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You)” tenderly,  followed by a French cover of Eddie Cochran’s “Something Else” before dipping into George Jones’ “Tender Years” But the real highlight was on Ben E. King’s “I (Who Have Nothing).” After two hours, Hallyday left on a gentle note with Jacques Brel’s “Quand on n’a Que L’amour.”

– Kirk Yano