Didier Gustin, who describes himself as an imitator “Has-Been”, returns to the front of the stage with a new show. The actor confided in his absence which lasted a few years, his future marriage, his children, his new life far from Paris …
After being discreet to the media for a few years, Didier Gustin resuscitates (a little) Johnny Hallyday in his new show Johnny, free in my headwhich he describes as a real “UFO“. The humorist, who assumes to be”has-been“Confided to his comeback, his new life far from Paris, or his family life …
The Women’s Journal: What is the genesis of this show? Why did you decided to create a show around Johnny?
Didier Gustin: I find that after the death of Johnny Hallyday, we did not have a tribute program of artists. If we had been at the time of the carpenter, we would have had a great evening dedicated to Johnny, with all the artists who sing his repertoire. I said to myself: ‘I don’t have a TV show, but too bad, I’m going to make a show’. Then, I found an idea and I thought it would be funny that Johnny refuses to access paradise and come to squat in my head. I did not know who to work with, and I remembered a friend, Eric Bouvron (director, editor’s note), which I had lost sight of. I proposed to him that we write together. He replied: (he takes the voice of Johnny) “The idea is great. How do you see yourself today? ‘. I replied:’ I am an imitator has-Been who sings in his garage ‘. He said to me:’ OK, that’s the pitch of the show ‘. And for a year and a half, we marred, we wrote together … This show is a bit of a UFO in humor and imitation!
In what sense?
It could be a film. When we see the show, we don’t know if it’s a play, a film, a concert … everything is mixed! We didn’t want to make a lambda show, but write a story. We imagined this story in which Johnny comes in my head and comes to jostle my life, for him it is a dream and for me it is a nightmare, because he turns my life so much that my wife leaves me, I am on the roads, everyone takes me for a madman because Johnny is in my head, and I must convince all the other artists to come to sing to the stadium of France for an organized concert. We see Cabrel in the forest, Eddy Mitchell in a cellar, Stéphane Bern in his pool …
How do you live your self-proclaimed status of “has-been”?
I live it pretty well! I still spent 25 years of top career. And then even if I was no longer present in the media in recent years, I have done things next to it, like plays, filming … So, I did not experience this crossing of the desert in a tragic way as it could have been for some. I was Has-Been and I am always a little, but with this show, it changes the situation, since I arrive with a spectacle so atypical that it gives me the impression of starting a career again! Besides, Jean-Claude Camus went to see the show, he told me that he was great and that he was going to talk to Laeticia!
Have you met Johnny during his lifetime?
I met him once in the mountains, he descended the stairs while I was mounting them. I told him “hello” and he replied “hello” … it comes down to that (laughs)! By writing the show, we documented a lot and, as we dug in Johnny’s career, testimonies showed that it was an adorable, kind, joker type … Unlike Claude François, who had a reputation as Tyran!
You have been living near Uzès for a few years. What made you want to leave Paris?
After the covid, I had enough of Paris! When I saw that I put two and a half hours to go home, I said to myself: ‘Okay, what a pleasant city is there at two and a half hours from Paris to TGV?’ (laughs). Many artists have chosen, like me, to leave the capital during this period. Julien Doré, Patrick Timsit and others do not live far from my home! The ideal is to live in about two hours by train from Paris, being able to work from a distance and possibly have a small foot-to-terre in the capital in order to pass from time to time for work.
Has your state of mind changed since you left Paris?
Today, I am no longer stressed! I now go there once every 15 days, to make a column in the Valérie Damidot program (on France Bleu, editor’s note). And I have fun going there but I am very happy to go back!
You are planning to get married next May. Do you manage to combine the preparations for marriage, your career, the tour …?
It is true that I rest a little on my wife, who manages to organize all of this. Even if I give a helping hand to the right, on the left, it is still she who prepares! I am well assisted! At the same time, she also takes care of my networks, so everyone works (laughs)! I met her in Avignon, where she comes from, thanks to friends.
Do you already think of retirement or at a time when you will get off in your career?
No, but on the other hand, I write and sing songs in English, the texts were written by Charlélie Couture. So, I would like to develop this. After this show, I will retire artistic, but it will rather be a retraining!
Do you fear to move forward in age?
No, there is a maxim that I really like, it is: ‘Don’t be too hard with the reflection you see in your mirror today because in ten years, you will regret it’. You have to take all this with philosophy and have fun! I always had fun in my job and I also gave the virus to my children by telling them to find a job-passion so that they never work.
And is it the case?
Yes ! Both are in the field of special effects for cinema. One is still at school and the other works in London. He received a reward in the category of the best special effects two years ago and two more this year! My son knows how to program AI and he is one of the first to do that in the field of special effects. It’s a real pride!
Do not miss the show “Johnny, free in my head” by Didier Gustin and Eric Bouvron
