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French rock and roll singer, actor, and cultural icon often hailed as the 'French Elvis'.Johnny Hallyday dominated French music for six decades, selling over 110 million records. He pioneered rock 'n' roll in France, blending American influences with French chanson. Notable for theatrical live performances, he starred in 34 films and maintained superstar status despite personal controversies.

• Born to a Belgian father and French mother, he was abandoned as an infant and raised by his aunt, dancer Hélène Mar.
• Faced lifelong scandals: four marriages (including actress Adeline Blondieau), drug addictions, tax evasion charges (prompting exile to Switzerland), and public feuds with French authorities.
• Survived multiple health crises: coma from benzodiazepine overdose (2009), spinal surgery (2010), and colon cancer (2017) before succumbing to lung cancer linked to heavy smoking.
• His 2017 death triggered national mourning; 800,000 lined Paris streets for his funeral procession. French President Macron delivered a eulogy, calling him 'a part of every French person’s life.'