Arthur Crabtree wrote:Françoise Hardy, singer, actor and French face of the sixties dies at 80.
She will be forever remembered as the epitome of the ye-ye scene, but I never really agree with that. Most of what is instantly identifiable as ye-ye is upbeat bubblegum pop, and brings with it a lot of jazzy, funky, rock n roll style elements fused together. Hardy was far more downbeat, far more stripped back - there is baroque sensibility to the music. Its born from the old Chanson halls, just with a sprinkle of clean electric guitar added in. Calling everything in France during the 60s ye-ye I think personally devalues a lot of music that aspired to be more than pop.... but of course, that is how she is universally remembered.
As you say, she is the face of French culture (along with 2-3 others) at the point they reach their culture zenith. British and Americans might argue to the death about that, but for me the ye-ye era in France lays a legitimate claim to being the coolest era in modern history. The fashion, the music, the attitude, the normality of what was considered sexy... after the flame of ye-ye burnt out, French culture became insular and boring. Johnny Halliday just wanted to be a bargain basement Elvis, then a bargain basement 80s rock band that made Motley Crue feel luxurious and classy in comparison. Everything went downhill and French music culture never really recovered.
Iconic is easily banded about, but Hardy was an icon.