Johnny Hallyday

Featuring contributions by Small Faces' Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane, as well as Jimmy Page and Mick Jones, it is the one absolutely unimpeachable full-length in his long discography), the audience immediately rose to its feet and rarely sat down for the rest of the 95-minute set.

Last night was more than an explanation of Hallyday's very particular magic. It was a baptism, communion and exorcism

His name provokes little more from UK audiences than one of those indifferent shrugs his countrymen are so eager to deploy.

Known since the '60s as the "French Elvis", Johnny Hallyday has until now shared at least one characteristic with the American King, in never having performed in Britain. Unlike Elvis, however, Hallyday has allowed British influences to colour his music, not least in his late-'60s heyday when the likes of Jim

Sportpaleis Merksem, Antwerp, Belgium on June 8, 2012