"It is the musical event of the return", loose Michel Drucker by launching this Tuesday evening the concert tribute to Johnny Hallyday.
The 9,000 spectators of the Accor Arena will not tell him otherwise.
Since morning, most have been in Bercy to pay homage to their Johnny, who now has an esplanade in his name in front of the concert hall.
The technicians, musicians, singers and singers have been rehearsing for three days in the room.
As Yvan Cassar, who directs the symphonic part of the show, said: faced with such a legend, “you have to be up to the task”.
Who better than Johnny, moreover, to open the ball with Laeticia's favorite song, “I promise you”, sung live with a large orchestra.
Fans are reassured: no hologram in place of the "taulier", just archival videos broadcast on a huge screen which occupies the entire width of the stage.
There will often be during the show.
An insane version of "Gabrielle" by Catherine Ringer
As soon as Johnny reappears and speaks, a thrill runs through the Accor Arena, filled for its reopening.
The spectators are seated and have very often taken off the mask which, this evening, is only "recommended".
Although the health pass was compulsory, these uncovered faces seem to have aroused a lot of indignant reactions from viewers of France 2, which broadcasts the concert live.
The spectators, among which took place Brigitte Macron, First lady and friend of Laeticia, are less observant.
We see their broad smiles when their idol shouts at them: “You are part of my life.
Johnny Hallyday wouldn't exist without you.
Gaëtan Roussel makes them stand up first with an energetic version of "Noir, c'est noir", Catherine Ringer makes them jump and electrifies them with a demented cover of "Gabrielle".
Imperial Catherine Ringer on "Gabrielle" @Accor_Arena #JohnnyHallyday #QueJeTAime pic.twitter.com/U8k4slLHD2
- Emmanuel Marolle (@emarolle) September 14, 2021
The strong volume of the three guitarists, Yarol Poupaud, Louis Bertignac and Robin Le Mesurier, on a cover of “Hey Joe” by Hendrix, makes them roar with happiness.
Just like “Ma gueule” by Florent Pagny and a Kad Merad very vocal and in progress.
Patrick Fiori makes them sing with a powerful symphonic version of "Que je t'aime" and Yarol Poupaud with an instrumental version of "Allumer le feu" composed by Pascal Obispo.
Yodelice's declaration of love
The latter, a longtime friend of David Hallyday, finally declined the invitation. Just like Johnny's son. Pity ! We would have loved to see him sing "Blood for blood", which he had written for him, even if Amir is doing well. Hats off also to Adrien Gallo, the singer of the BB brunettes, who replaced Julien Doré at the last minute - contact case - on "The idol of young people".
In a calmer register, Christophe Mae offers a nice version of “I promise you”, even if we can regret hearing the same song twice among more than a thousand in such a rich repertoire.
We also wonder why Florent Pagny sings - perfectly - but no less than four times ... But we can only applaud the return of Yodelice, who had disappeared since the release of Johnny's last record, which he had composed and executed.
The mourning was too heavy for the one who had become a spiritual son to Johnny.
Beautiful Yodelice "Miss you" @Accor_Arena #JohnnyHallyday pic.twitter.com/tAJOkJ3zzG
- Emmanuel Marolle (@emarolle) September 14, 2021
His version of "Miss you", eyes closed, on the edge of emotion, is a magnificent declaration of love before the final college on "The music that I love" then "The quest", the inaccessible star de Brel whom Johnny was one of the few who could reach. If the statue installed in the morning in front of Bercy in homage to the singer divides the fans, this vibrant tribute of more than two hours, elegant and rhythmic, brings them together. They applaud Johnny for a long time, who appears for the last time. " I will never forget you ". Neither do they.
