MAINTENANCE. Death of Johnny Hallyday: before a Toulouse “Symphonic” Zenith, the rocker’s voice magnified by Yvan Cassar

the essential
Two years after “Johnny symphonic” which sold 500,000 copies, the conductor and arranger Yvan Cassar is again at the pulpit for an “Act II” which will be followed by a tour, announced at the Zénith in May 2022.

He worked with Johnny Hallyday on several albums and giant concerts: Yvan Cassar was the ideal man to bring the idol’s voice back to life, accompanied by brand new symphonic – or pop-rock – arrangements. For an album (which includes beautiful new versions of “I promise you”, “About my father”, “What I know” or “Do not leave me”) and a tour promised to triumph.

What are the most moving memories you have of Johnny, the singer and the man?

It’s so hard to graduate them. For the concerts, I would say the Stade de France 1998. It was my first steps with Johnny for six songs that I had prepared with a full orchestra and choir. The initial concert had not taken place because of the rain. The next day, I spent most of the evening near the sound console, among people, on the lawn. I felt this insane feeling that gave to the spectators a concert of Johnny. Many were in tears. It has become the symbol of my whole adventure with him: without this series at the Stade de France, today’s projects would not have taken place. In a register from the antipodes, I have wonderful memories of La Cigale, a small Parisian venue, in December 2006. The week was devoted to the American rock-blues repertoire that I adore. There was such closeness to the audience. It was a great gift for my 40th birthday!

On a more personal level, how did Johnny behave?

He was very generous with his friends. He lived everything passionately, intensely. I was very young in 1998; I came from a very different background. I had to prove to him what I was worth. At first he was very hard on me, he put pressure on me. Then he pushed me, supported me, left me very free. When you gained his trust, he gave you a lot.

Johnny symphonic, does it make sense?

We had talked a thousand times together about the epic dimension of a lot of his songs. Johnny was very fond of movie soundtracks. For example, in the new album, the “Penitentiary” version has an obvious harmonic kinship with the Morricone of “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” As for the voice, absolutely gigantic, it comes from a rehearsal, one afternoon, before one of the concerts at the Parc des Princes (in 1993, editor’s note).

What strikes you more than ever in the album “Acte II” is this incredible voice that Johnny had…

This is what touched me the most in the return of people who liked the previous album. They sensed the respect I had for Johnny; my desire to magnify his voice and his interpretation. On these two albums, they can hear it like they’ve never heard it before. In a very intimate song like “Love me tender”, we are in the raw, without artifice. Johnny is in front of us, he springs.

Album “Act II” (Universal). “Johnny Symphony Tour”, Tuesday May 31, 2022 at the Zénith de Toulouse. Prices: from €40 to €85.

Symphonic and “spiritual”

In addition to the concert “Johnny Hallyday: that I love you”, with many artists, of which he provides musical direction (broadcast Tuesday September 14 at 9:05 p.m. on France 2), Yvan Cassar is actively preparing the “Johnny Symphony Tour”, announced at the Zénith de Toulouse in May 2022.
“When recording the album Act II, I said to myself: these songs would give a good concert, explains Yvan Cassar. So we imagined an immersive sound system and some images. But no question of doing in the hologram genre! In addition to the 100 musicians that I will conduct, a different choir will be used in each region. This local dimension was close to my heart: I am a provincial, born in Rennes! It may be pompous to say it, but these concerts will be like a celebration, with something spiritual. »

MAINTENANCE. Death of Johnny Hallyday: before a Toulouse “Symphonic” Zenith, the rocker’s voice magnified by Yvan Cassar