"Johnny Hallyday is gone. I write these words without believing it. And yet that's it. My man is no more. He leaves us tonight as he has lived throughout his life, with courage and dignity," wrote Laeticia Hallyday in a statement.

Hallyday had been fighting lung cancer for several months.

A legend of the French Rock'n'Roll that has left an impact several generations, a national legend and icon of the French song, Johnny Hallyday has also left his mark on the cultural history of France.

Early life

Johnny Hallyday was born in Paris in 1943, Jean-Philippe Smet took the name, Johnny Hallyday. Influenced by Elvis Presley and the 1950s rock n' roll revolution, "Johnny," as he was known in France became famous in the 1960s for singing Rock 'n' Roll in French. His debut single, "Laisse les filles" was released in March 1960. His first album, Hello Johnny, was released the same year.

Career

His longevity as a major star in France, as well as his vocal and visual performances, attracted the recognition of his peers. Since his debut, he has done 183 tours that were estimated to have attracted more than 28 million spectators. He has recorded more than 1,000 tracks, composed a hundred songs and sold 110 million records. His career has been rewarded with 40 Gold Records, 22 Platinum, 5 Diamond and 10 'Victoires de la Musique' (French Arias), his official discography has 50 studio albums and 29 live albums.

He has also stared in more than 30 films.

The reactions on social networks were quick to come, celebrities, fans or not, everyone agrees to pay tribute.

Farewell Dear @JohnnySjh. Your friendship, sweetness and support are imprinted in my heart. It is an honor to have known you and to have spent time with you and your beautiful family. Your soul is pure Rock and Roll. Repose en paix. 📷: @candyTman pic.twitter.com/1ZAFUewHlo — Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) 6 décembre 2017

I'm very sad to hear the news that Johnny Hallyday passed away. He was a giant in show business...a true icon! My thoughts go out to his family, his loved ones, and to the millions of fans who adored him for many decades.He will be sadly missed, but never forgotten.- Céline xx… — Celine Dion (@celinedion) 6 décembre 2017

On a tous en nous quelque chose de Johnny Hallyday. Le public de fans et de fidèles qu'il s'était acquis est en larmes. Nous n'oublierons ni son nom, ni sa gueule, ni sa voix. Le voici au panthéon de la chanson où il rejoint les légendes du rock et du blues qu'il aimait tant. — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) 6 décembre 2017

Johnny Hallyday, the Elvis Presley of France, has died at 74 https://t.co/JBzcJTkgob — New York Times Music (@nytimesmusic) 6 décembre 2017

Watch him perform below: