Jean-Philippe (Clerc) Smet
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Jean-Philippe Léo (Clerc) Smet (1943 - 2017)

Jean-Philippe Léo "Johnny Hallyday" Smet formerly Clerc aka Hallyday
Born in Paris IX, Seine, Francemap
Ancestors ancestors
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of [private wife (1940s - unknown)]
Husband of [private wife (1950s - unknown)]
Husband of [private wife (1970s - unknown)]
Husband of [private wife (1970s - unknown)]
Father of and
Died at age 74 in Marnes-la-Coquette, Hauts-de-Seine, Francemap
Profile last modified | Created 6 Dec 2017
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Biography

Notables Project
Jean-Philippe (Clerc) Smet is Notable.

Jean-Philippe Smet, known as Johnny Hallyday, was a French rock'n roll and pop singer. His career spanned 57 years during which he released 79 albums and sold more than 110 million records, mostly in the French-speaking world. He is credited for having brought rock'n roll in France, where he was hugely popular, but he remained largely unknown outside of the francophone world.[1]

"Johnny Hallyday" was born Jean-Philippe Léo Clerc on 15 June 1943 in the 9th arrondissement of Paris[2] He was the son a Huguette Clerc, 23, and Léon Smet, 36, a twice-divorced cabaret artist. His parents were married 15 months later, on 7 September 1944[3] and Jean-Philippe's name then became Smet. The marriage was short-lived; Léon Smet abandoned his family after a few months, though the divorce only became official in 1954.[3] Huguette had to start modeling for a living and left her son to be raised by his paternal aunt, Hélène Smet. Hélène Smet's two daughters were classical dancers and Jean-Philippe followed their tours, which in 1946 took them to London, for two years. In 1948, Jean-Philippe's cousin Desta married an American dancer and they started an acrobatic dancing duo (sometimes a trio including Desta's sister Menen). They were known as "The Hallidays". He started learning to play the guitar and when he was 9 years old started to perform on stage for short numbers during the Halliday's costume changes. He also acted as an extra in a few films.

In 1957, at 14, Jean-Philippe saw the film Loving You with Elvis Presley and immediately resolved to become a rocker. His cousin Lee had records of singers such as Presley and Bill Haley sent over from America for him when these recordings where completely unknown in France. Jean-Philippe, who had chosen the stage name Johnny Halliday in honor of his cousin, sang French covers of American rock'n roll songs. The reception was initially disastrous, except when he performed for American soldiers. His first record was produced in March 1960: on the cover his name was erroneously spelled Hallyday, a spelling which he eventually kept. His first success was Souvenirs, souvenirs in June 1960. In 1961, at 18, Johnny Hallyday had already recorded 36 songs and sold close to 1.7 million records.

Johnny Hallyday remained active until 2017, his career spanning 57 years, during which he sang in several genres, rock'n roll, rythm and blues, soul music, pop rock, ballads and soft rock. He released 79 albums and with over 110 million records sold, was one of the best-selling artists in the world. He also received 10 Victoires de la Musique. He was noted for his strong voice and spectacular shows, singing at the Parc des Princes, the Stade de France and at the Eiffel Tower (the latter show attracting 500,000 spectators). He was also an actor, first in the 1960s in "teen idol" roles somewhat similar to those in Elvis Presley's film career. However he had a first critical success in 1985 with Détective and in 2003 won the Prix Jean-Gabin for his performance in L'Homme du Train. His last tour was in the summer 2017, and he recorded his final album the same year.

Johnny Hallyday died on 5 December 2017[2] at his home in Marnes-la-Coquette, of lung cancer. His funeral was held on 9 December 2017 at the Madeleine Church in Paris, the service being attended by the current President of France and his two predecessors. 900,000 fans had lined the Champs-Élysées as he was taken to the church. He was buried in the cemetery adjoining the church of Lorient in Saint-Barthélemy island.

Johnny Hallyday was married five times (including twice to the same woman) and had four children, two of them adopted.

Biographie

Jean-Philippe Smet, dit Johnny Hallyday, est né à Paris le 15 juin 1943. Il est le fils d'Huguette Clerc et Léon Smet. Ses parents ne sont pas mariés. Il est légitimé quelques mois plus tard et porte officiellement le nom de Smet.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia contributors, "Johnny Hallyday," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Johnny_Hallyday&oldid=991236099 (accessed November 29, 2020).
  2. 2.0 2.1 Acte 12, Fichier des décès de l'INSEE, consulté le 29 nov 2020 via Filae.com.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Acte de mariage: Acte 432, Mariages 1944 Paris IXème, Archives de Paris cote 9M 357 du 20 juillet 1944 (acte n° 370) au 18 novembre 1944 (acte n° 550) vue 12, consulté le 19 avril 2020




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