Columnist Bob Shemeligian: French Elvis to shake his vichysoisse in Las Vegas

Bob Shemeligian

Tuesday, Nov. 19, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

JOHNNY HALLYDAY was born on the streets of Belgium in 1943, at a time when the French and Belgian resistance helped turn the tide against the Nazi occupation of Europe.

And so, from his first days on Earth, Hallyday was raised in the spirit of insurrection.

But Hallyday, who was orphaned as a child and raised in France and the United States by French and American cousins, never liked guns.

He learned early on that a guitar and a voice are the strongest weapons of rebellion.

"He was a just a little boy when Elvis Presley hit it big, and Elvis became his hero," said Norbert Aleman, producer of "La Cage" and "Crazy Girls" at the Riviera.

Most Americans, who wouldn't know Flemish lace from nylon weave, haven't heard much about Hallyday, who will play the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts on Sunday evening.

But across the Atlantic, Hallyday is none other than the "Elvis Presley of France."

Indeed, not since Gen. Charles de Gaulle marched triumphantly through Paris in 1944 has there been a more popular European hero than Hallyday.

The French rock 'n' roll star, who also was influenced by Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Fats Domino, sells more than one million albums each year and has more than 40 gold records to his credit.

He has been the top singing sensation in French-speaking countries for 30 years.

Indeed, thousands of Europeans in black leather jackets and tight Levis have already reserved their tickets for Hallyday's upcoming Aladdin performance.

But success didn't come easy for the European Elvis.

"At his first appearance at a rock 'n' roll nightclub in Paris more than 30 years ago, he didn't go over too well," Norbert said. "They didn't appreciate his music. It was the same with Elvis."

It was during those days, when Hallyday wore leather and greased-back hair and rode a Harley-Davidson motorcycle (he was the first in Europe to own one), that the singer began developing a cult following.

"Young people are young people, and it doesn't matter if they're in Europe or America," Aleman said. "They have the same problems and challenges, and they have that same rebellion in their blood."

And they like rock 'n' roll.

Although by far the most successful, Hallyday is the latest of a growing group of Elvis-influenced international entertainers to play Vegas.

Just two weeks ago, El Vez, the "Mexican Elvis," played few songs in the sports book of the MGM Grand.

You wonder what the real Elvis would have thought.

Probably not much.

After all, the closest he ever got to overseas entertainment was when he took a booth at International House of Pancakes.

"Elvis never went to France," Aleman said. "But now Johnny's coming to America."

Maybe it's good Elvis never visited France. With his fondness for rich food, he might have never made it back to Graceland.