Johnny Hallyday, born Jean-Philippe Léo Smet, was a legendary French rock and pop singer and actor, celebrated for bringing rock and roll to France. Over a 57-year career, he released 79 albums and sold over 110 million records, becoming one of the best-selling French-speaking artists. Known for his powerful voice and spectacular live performances, Hallyday was famous for show-stopping entrances, including arriving by helicopter or moving through crowds. He performed more than 3,000 shows, with landmark concerts at venues like the Stade de France and the Eiffel Tower, drawing massive audiences. Hallyday collaborated with renowned French musicians such as Charles Aznavour, Michel Berger, and Jean-Jacques Goldman. Revered as a national icon and symbol of postwar France, he remained largely unknown outside French-speaking countries, often called "the biggest rock star you have never heard of." His death in 2017 was marked by a huge national outpouring of grief, cementing his legacy as a cultural legend in France.