French Rocker Johnny Hallyday Hospitalized With Heart Problems

French rock star Johnny Hallyday’s summer vacation has been cut short after the actor was rushed to a hospital on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe with heart trouble.

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The legendary singer was on holiday with his family in Saint Barthelemy when his heart began to beat abnormally fast, according to French media reports. He was flown by helicopter to a hospital on the island’s main city Point-a-Pitre on Sunday night.

Hallyday, France’s most famous rocker in history who has been nicknamed “The French Elvis,” recently celebrated his 69th birthday.

French press reported on Monday that Hallyday’s wife Laeticia and his family are by his side. His son David tweeted to Hallyday family fans: “Thank you so much for your messages, it touches me a lot…The news is good so that is reassuring us. Kisses to all of you xo.”

Hallyday has been in the studio working on a new album due for release in November. The singer is scheduled for 22 tour dates starting in October.

The health scare isn’t the first for the active rocker. In 2009, he fell badly ill after a hernia operation and was in an induced coma in a Los Angeles hospital. Hallyday is being treated for tachycardia and is expected to make a recovery.

His press team sent out a statement on Monday saying that “his state of health is completely reassuring.”

Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com

Twitter: @georgszalai