Eddy Mitchell and Johnny Hallyday, it is first of all the story of an extraordinary friendship on the French song scene. The Taulier and the interpreter of Last session shared a real bond even before the latter does not start his musical career. It is also under the influence of Laëticia's future husband that Claude Moine, now Eddy Mitchell, decides to try his luck in the merciless world of song.
Great good came to him, since success came quickly for Mitchell, whether with his rock'n'roll group, Black Socksor solo. Despite a career marked by success, it is clear that the popularity of the singer Water mint color does not reach that of Johnny Hallyday.
But between the two, there is no jealousy, simply a sincere and unadorned friendship. Even if everything did not start well between them, with a slap addressed by Eddy Mitchell to the king of French rock for a somewhat glorious history of records, they remained inseparable for more than fifty years. Until the very last years of Johnny's career, punctuated by the tour of Old Rascalsa trio formed by the two singers and their third long-time friend, Jacques Dutronc.
Eddy Mitchell still has a grudge against Johnny
Unfortunately, the tour will have to end prematurely due to Johnny Hallyday's illnessthen his death on December 5, 2017. Le Taulier leaves behind a mountain of musical successes, but also a long-time friend. Among the stages of mourning, anger was felt the most for Eddy Mitchell.
“I blame him“, the octogenarian confides frankly in “Autobiography” book which he published on November 7, 2024. “I'm angry with him for believing he was invulnerable, and for making us believe it. He thought he would get through everything. He wanted to remain the strongest, like a demigod. And we wanted it for him too.” Words which also echo Johnny's excessive lifestyle.
His friend also goes on to refer to it. “I shared some of his excesses, and I ended up calming down, by force of circumstances. I was wiser“, he explains, perhaps referring to the consumption of certain recreational drugs that Johnny did not hide. “He never calmed down. He never let up, and he partly ruined his life. But it represents a part of mine.” This last sentence perfectly illustrates the strength of this friendship, of impressive longevity, but broken by the excesses of a life that is too rock 'n' roll.
