I am a literary giant in Europe

Chapter 489 Elena Holly

Hélène Hollett, the first French pop music icon.

When it comes to French songs, many people may think that Celine Dion is the representative of French songs, but that is not actually the case.

Celine Dion is of French descent, not French.

She is Canadian and was born in Quebec.

Internationally, Celine Dion is far more famous than Hélène Hollet, but in France, the French people recognize Hélène Hollet more.

"My Name is Elaine" was a sensation in China after 2003.

But in fact, this song is from 93, and Elena Holly has rarely appeared in public since the millennium.

Just as the song describes, she was just an ordinary girl.

Even after becoming famous, he still lives an ordinary life.

Liu Jin was surprised that M6 had actually brought her out.

……

Holly faded out, but did not retire.

She has always maintained a subtle connection with the music scene.

To be honest, my performance here was purely by chance.

M6 initially did not consider inviting her, but after negotiations between the Chinese Embassy and the French Ministry of Culture, they proposed a perfect ending to the Sino-French Year of Exchange. M6's president, who is also Méra's brother, then had other considerations.

He maintains contact with many Chinese students studying abroad.

So it is known that Holly's song "My Name is Elaine" has been very popular in China in recent years.

In China, there's the Rebirth Band, composed of Liu Jin and Leslie Cheung.

So, on the French side, there also needs to be a French singer that is familiar to Chinese people.

The best choice is Alizee.

Because of her relationship with Liu Jin, she is liked by many Chinese students studying abroad and has gained considerable fame in China through the internet.

But Alizée is one of the lead singers of the band Rebirth.

After careful consideration, Sean Singer approached Holly and asked her to return to the scene.

Elena Holly, of course, would not refuse such an invitation and readily accepted, and will sing "My Name is Elena" tonight.

She knew Alizee and was also a fan of Liu Jin's books.

After everyone sat down, they began to chat.

Melissa took the opportunity to quickly leave the lounge.

She is the host of tonight's gala and has many things to do, such as communicating with the singers to keep the gala running.

At 8 p.m., the gala began.

Melissa, as M6's top presenter, became France's most popular female presenter in 2004 with her show "Forbidden Zone," even overshadowing TF1's top presenter, Chashal. Her appearance naturally drew enthusiastic cheers.

The first singer to take the stage was Françoise Hattie, a legendary chanson singer.

He rose to fame in the 1960s as a singer and idol, enjoying immense popularity.

She sang her most classic song, "Tous les garons et les filles," her cool voice echoing in the stadium, instantly transporting countless French people back to the most turbulent 1960s in France.

Liu Jin knew Hattie.

She passed away in 2024, and at that time, Pony Ma even wrote an article to commemorate her.

However, he has never really liked chansons.

It was a melancholic romance unique to France, and Liu Jin always felt that if he heard too much of it, he might become depressed.

But it really does sound good!

At least in Lao Zhang's and Mei Gu's opinion, Hattie's singing skills are absolutely outstanding.

Old Zhang is actually a little nervous!

"Seriously? You're actually nervous?"

"The host just mentioned that domestic leaders are also paying attention to this gala?"

"It's not domestic, it's most likely DSG... Please, you're an old hand, why would you be afraid of this?"

As he spoke, Liu Jin's eyes fell on Leslie Cheung's wrist.

"Nice watch!"

"Ha, it's secondhand, it's only around a hundred thousand."

"Let me see it." Old Zhang didn't refuse and naturally handed the watch to Liu Jin. "A few years ago when I was in Taiwan, Sister Xiao Yan asked me about it, and I told her it was a gift from Roger... You might not know, Roger used to be my stylist..."

Hey, what are you doing?

"This watch is fucking awesome."

As Liu Jin spoke, he put the watch on his wrist.

I've seen that interview of yours!
"what?"

Leslie Cheung was about to ask, "How did you know I said that?"
Liu Jin turned his head to look at Alizee, who was talking to Elena.

"Ali, what do you think?"

Alizee glanced at him, nodded, and smiled, "You look great, very handsome!"

Then, she translated to Elena in a low voice.

Elena couldn't help but laugh too.

Anita Mui and Maggie couldn't stop laughing.

"So you can enjoy being vain."

"But it's really nice... Oh well, I had no choice but to deal with a robber like you."

This watch also represents the past.

However, since I've already decided to leave the Hong Kong Island scene, I'll just let it go with the wind.

Leslie Cheung hesitated for a moment, but quickly came to terms with it.

Liu Jin, meanwhile, wore his watch with a smug look and waved it at Leslie Cheung again.

……

The performance continues.

Liu Jin was not familiar with most people.

His understanding of the French music scene was far less than that of the film industry.

Apart from a few people, such as Alizee, Marlene Farmer, and David Cook, I am basically not familiar with them.

Holly became known to Liu Jin because of her song.

Hattie is someone I'm somewhat familiar with because she was once a leading figure in chanson and has been advocating for the legalization of euthanasia.

As for everyone else…

You may have heard their songs, but you might not know their names.

However, he did know the next singer: Patricia Keyes, a singer who will be holding a concert in China next year. She is on par with Elena Holly, blending blues and jazz with pop music. She was a sensation in the 1980s and was called the 'French Madonna' by the French.

Liu Jin had seen Keys' concert in his past life.

Actually, in 04/05, the relationship between China and France was very good, like honey.

At that time, there were many French people on the streets of Shanghai.

As for Keith, he was praised by the French Minister for the Promotion of Contemporary Music, François Blanc, as "from an aesthetic point of view, the beautiful woman Keith is a great symbol of romantic France"...

Well, if you search online, you won't find many photos of her.

Especially with the photography techniques of the 1980s, her beauty could not be fully captured.

I reckon that the AFP reporters at the time hadn't yet developed the kind of 'imperial' photographic skills they would later acquire.

Taking advantage of a break, Liu Jin, Alizee, and Elena ran to the backstage corridor to listen to her singing up close.

"Elena, are you and Case very close?"

"Haha, we fought for several years, throughout the 1980s, and it only calmed down in the 1990s."

Elena began to recount her past with Keith.

To put it simply, it's a competition for the title of spokesperson for pop music.

It sounds a bit like the "Alan Tam and Leslie Cheung rivalry" in Hong Kong back in the day, where neither side was willing to concede to the other.

From competing on stage, to competing over albums, and then to competing among fans...

Such struggles may still be seen in America in the future, but they will become extremely rare in China and Europe.
Chinese music...

It’s hard to describe in one word!

In the future, it will most likely be a time of 'great ambitions'.
Anyway, after 2015, Liu Jin really rarely listened to music anymore!
……

(End of this chapter)