A highly anticipated statue… A few months ago, sculptor Olivier Delobel announced that he was in the process of creating a
statue representing Johnny Hallyday. A work that required a lot of work from him, as he revealed to France 3 on August 28, 2024. After two months of shaping, he unfortunately no longer liked the face. “I gave him cheeks, modified his jaw and an eye…”he recalled.
If the singer who died on December 5, 2017 at the age of 74 has many fans, Many cities did not want to accommodate this status. Finally, it was Mayor David Rachline who finally accepted. “He is passionate, when you enter his office there is a photo of him with Johnny”assured Alexandre Hanan, member of the HDC Desperados.
Olivier Delobel: “I can’t wait to see the fans’ reaction”
To represent Johnny Hallyday during his concert at the Parc des Princes in 1993, the sculptor first worked an iron frame before placing and shaping clay. While working, he watched the artist’s concerts and listened to his albums. “I like to do this to immerse myself completely”he said before adding: “I can’t wait to see the reaction of the fans, they are people who idolize their artist a lot”.
For France Bleu Provence, Olivier Delobel confided that if he was not a fan of Johnny Hallyday, he had become one by getting to know him better. “I knew it like everyone else, but since then I have done some research (…) This is not a statue like the othersso I worked a lot on the face and gestures”he added.
A statue criticized by fans
On Saturday, September 21, 2024, the statue of Johnny Hallyday was inaugurated on the port of Fréjus. If Jo Fernandez, the singer’s former bodyguard and president of the Harley Davidson Desperados club was present,
Laeticia Hallyday was absent and did not mention this work on his Instagram account. However, more than 3,000 people were present, including Jacky Chalard, the artist’s former bassist.
On the Facebook account of the city of Fréjus, where a photo of the statue was shared, many fans expressed their disappointment. “As much as I respect the artist Johnny, the sculpture is disgusting!” ; “Sorry, but it’s not a success!” ; “Without the head, this sculpture is great. But without the head!” ; “The general appearance is there, yes, but the face… Still not great! It’s a shame.”we can read.
