Macron, wife to head national tribute to rock star Johnny Hallyday

PARIS, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife will participate on Saturday in "a popular homage" to Johnny Hallyday, also called the "French Elvis" who died on Wednesday at 74, the president's office said on Thursday.

"The family and friends of Johnny Hallyday and the President have agreed that as a part of the popular homage," said the Elysee.

Hallyday died at the age of 74. He announced in March that he had been receiving treatment for cancer.

Influenced by Elvis Presley and the 1950s rock and roll revolution, Hallyday issued his first album in 1959 and became famous in the 1960s after performing local versions of rock standards and bringing U.S. music to the French public.

Over 1 million copies of his first album "Let's Twist again" have been sold and it was awarded a gold disc. Since then, he has sold more than 100 million albums over the decades. Enditem