Johnny Hallyday burst onto the French scene in 1960 as France's very-own Elvis - even though he was born in Belgium. His rise was unstoppable, and with his future wife Sylvie Vartan he became the King (Roi) to her Queen of French rock. Britain recognised this in 2004 when key player in the arts Melvyn Bragg presented a 'South Bank Show' dedicated to Hallyday. Le Roi De France pulls its cuts from the era when Hallyday had left the rock 'n' roll template behind and was recording red-hot, driving pop. He's helped by a pre-Led Zeppelin Jimmy Page on the scorching Psychedelic and A Tout Casser. Mod titans The Small Faces back him on three cuts. British session legend Big Jim Sullivan is heard here too. Hallyday knew how to pick the right musicians for his records. It's the first time Hallyday has been compiled for the English-language world. With no filler, it's the perfect introduction, finally showing the rest of the world Hallyday at his most essential.