Hallyday has experienced problems since last month’s surgery to correct a herniated disc. The artist, considered to be France’s biggest rock star, was hospitalized in Los Angeles earlier this month where his latest problems were first attributed to an infection thought to have been caused by the original surgery.

L.A. doctors operated on Hallyday after discovering lesions thought to have been caused by November’s operation. Following the surgery, the singer was placed in a medically induced coma for several days while his body healed. Hallyday was awakened from the coma just days before Christmas and discharged Dec. 23.

The legal inquiry will examine whether “surgeon to the stars” Stephane Delajoux erred while operating on the singer, dubbed the “French Elvis,” in his homeland

In response to the decision, Delajoux’s lawyer, David Koubbi, said his client welcomes the investigation.

“We will now have the opinion of objective professionals and that is excellent,” Koubbi said, according to Agence France-Presse, adding he was convinced his client was not responsible for Hallyday’s post-surgery problems.

Hallyday was in the middle of his world tour, dubbed “Route 66” in reference to the artist’s age as well as the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll in America. Hallyday’s increasing medical problems eventually forced organisers to cancel the tour.

Last week Hallyday wrote to the Paris judge presiding over the case, saying he “came very close to death,” and that he wants “to know the truth.”

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