fans of the rocker honor his memory in a church

This is the fourth time that the Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul church in Épernay (Marne) has hosted such a ceremony in homage to the “Taulier”. This Saturday, November 30, several hundred fans gathered to celebrate a mass on the sidelines of the seventh anniversary of the singer’s death.

From Seine-et-Marne, from the North, from the southern region, from Belgium, there were around 400 from the four corners of France and border countries, all gathered for Johnny Hallyday.

It is in the Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul church in Épernay (Marne) that the memory of the singer is honored, this Saturday, November 30, a week before the seventh anniversary of his death, December 5, 2017.

“I have it as a tattoo, and at home I have a room just for Johnny“, proudly declares Guy. A fan since his adolescence, he has even illustrated his passion through his children. “I gave them all a first name that ends with Y: “Fanny, Anthony, Wendy and Jérémy“.

Like a classic mass, it is said by an abbot. Sitting on a bench with her husband, Edwige enjoys the moment. “We really like Johnny Hallyday. He is almost the same year as me: he was born on April 18, 1943, and I on April 18, 1944. I also celebrated my 80th birthday at his grave” tells the one who considers herself “a great faithful“.

The abbots always welcome us kindly and let us do what we want in terms of songs and presentation

Jacky Blavier

President of the association “100% Fans of Johnny Hallyday, Rock’n’Roll and Blues”

Like many fans, Guy and Edwige are members of the association 100% fans of Johnny Hallyday, rock’n’roll and the bluesa structure born after the death of “The idol of young people” and which has more and more members each year. “The attendance increases at each concert, with people coming from all over France, but also from Belgium and Switzerland” says Jacky Blavier, the president.

The former municipal councilor of the town of Épernay says he is proud to be at the head of an association with national and international renown. “These concerts are organized every year in a church at the time of his death, since Johnny’s funeral took place at the Madeleine church (in Paris, Editor’s note). The abbots always welcome us kindly and let us do what we want in terms of songs and presentation” he rejoices.

That’s the whole point: taking advantage of the solemnity of a church to listen to the recognizable rock of Johnny Hallyday. “It’s more than a mass, it’s a meditation around the memory of Johnny […]fans are there to gather and hear Johnny’s music again. It’s a bit of joy.”

At mass, it’s an almost sacred moment, as if Johnny Hallyday had a divine aura. The opportunity for many to remember the “Taulier”, and the concerts they attended. “There is a gap, so we try to fill this gap between us, by honoring his memory” explains Philippe. “There was a big community when we went to see him in concert […] and events like these allow us to find each other” he concludes, before diving back into his commemoration.

The tribute to Johnny Hallyday in church, but also outside. On the square, around ten bikers – a community very attached to the singer – have gathered to also honor the symbol of Johnny Hallyday.