France Rocks with Johnny Hallyday

In the 1950’s and 1960’s France needed its own rock star – someone non-American – and Johnny Hallyday was the answer. He is the biggest name in French rock - and has been for forty years.

Although an unashamed imitator of American pop, rockabilly and R&B (he specialized in French-language cover versions of hits by his idols across the Atlantic) his commercial success in the late 1950s and early '60s opened the door that made rock music acceptable to French ears.

His latest 2003 summer tour takes him across France under an extensive automated rig supplied by X&Y Systemes, Cameleon, and Magnum lighting supply companies.

The MAC-dominated rig includes 54 MAC 700 (customized MAC 600s with 700 watt HMI bulbs by company Zap Technology), 44 MAC 2000 Profiles (some with removed ballast by Zap technology) and 12 MAC 2000 Wash from X&Y Systemes, with 30 MAC 2000 Profiles supplied by Cameleon.

Lighting Designer Jacques Rouveyrollis is the man responsible for harnessing all that power, plus some, and spread the MACs liberally across the enormous stage. MAC 2000 Wash line back of stage truss elements on either side of the stage in four sets of three. The MAC 2000 Profile are placed at the end of a series of truss arms projecting directly over the stage; on a main, large truss piece at center stage; and above speaker clusters on each side of the stage. MAC 2000 Profiles also line dominant central risers towering from mid stage. The MAC 700s are located above the speaker clusters and on the main horizontal truss element above the stage.

A first-class musical performer, Johnny Hallyday’s long career includes a host of movie stints, 80 million discs sold and some 100 tours.

Light Designer: Jacques Rouveyrollis
Production: Camus & Camus Productions
Production Manager: Roger Abriol
Stage Manager: Michel Marseguara