Johnny Stark (talent manager)  Johnny Stark (Born Roger Oscar Emile Stark) (August 29, 1922 - April 24, 1989) was one of the most dynamic imprésarios (A&R executive) and producers in French show business. He is perhaps best known for working with Édith Piaf and representing Mireille Mathieu from the 1960s until his death in 1989, assisting her rise to international stardom. Stark was born in Huningue, the son of Colonel Stark, a prominent Alsatian military figure, and a Corsican mother, born Julie Chappuit. His mother died in Nice at the age of 33 years. He lived in Corsica until the age of 11, then the French Riviera, between Cagnes-sur-Mer and Antibes. He attended school in La Bocca, Cannes. His father became a horticulturist and had property in Cagnes. In 1941, he enlisted as a volunteer in North Africa and worked with American troops. After the Second World War, he went to Hong Kong and returned to Cannes in May 1946. On August 15 of that year, he organized a "The Night of Famous Stars" at the stage of the Hespérides, in Cannes. It featured names such as Édith Piaf, Yves Montand, Lily Fayol, Reda Caire, Marie Bizet, Johnny Hess, Marcel Cerdan, Laurent Dauthuille, and Robert Charron. While the gala was a huge success, it proved a financial failure for Johnny, as he had Roland Toutain hang from one leg as a helicopter lowered him to the stage, and the stunt cost him a million francs. Johnny Stark then organized tours with Tino Rossi, Luis Mariano, Roger Pierre and Jean-Marc Thibault, and was responsible for scouting Gloria Lasso, Dalida and Marino Marini. He established the Théâtre de Verdure (Juan-les-Pins), where in 1947 he hired Édith Piaf. Loulou Gasté asked Stark to manage Line Renaud in 1949. Line Renaud and Gasté were married December 19, 1950, attended by Stark. In the early 1960s, Johnny Hallyday, was at the forefront of the Yé-yé movement while under the guidance of Stark. In the 1960s, he worked with performers such as Michèle Torr, , and Mireille Mathieu, the latter of which he made into an international star between 1965 and 1989.