The music world is mourning the loss of Chris Rea, the distinctive singer-songwriter best known for his perennial festive hit Driving Home for Christmas, who has died at the age of 74. Rea, identifiable by his gravelly voice and masterful slide guitar, passed away on 22 December 2025 after a long period of ill health.
From Ice Cream Vans to International Stages
Born Christopher Anton Rea on 4 March 1951 in Middlesbrough, he was one of seven children in a family of Italian and Irish heritage. His father, Camillo, ran the Rea ice-cream empire, a chain of 21 coffee bars and a factory across Teesside. Chris worked in the business from a young age but was drawn to music, buying his first guitar, a Hofner Verithin, at 21. He cited slide guitar wizards like Ry Cooder and Lowell George as early inspirations.
His big break came early with the 1978 single Fool (If You Think It's Over), which reached No. 12 in the US. However, sustained success in Britain and Europe arrived in the mid-1980s with albums like Shamrock Diaries (1985) and On the Beach (1986). He achieved UK number one albums with The Road to Hell (1989) and Auberge (1991).
A Life Marked by Serious Health Struggles
Rea's later life was profoundly shaped by significant medical challenges. In 2000, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, requiring major surgery. This was followed by a diabetes diagnosis, necessitating seven daily insulin injections. Then, in 2016, he suffered a stroke that affected his hand movement and speech.
Reflecting on these trials in 2009, Rea displayed characteristic humility, stating: "If it hadn't happened, I could have become as big a pain in the backside as any other celeb." His recuperation from the stroke inspired his 2017 album Road Songs for Lovers, which charted at No. 11.
Legacy of Blues and a Passion for Ferrari
His health battles steered him back to his musical roots. From 2002 onwards, he released a series of blues-focused albums on his own Jazzee Blue label, including Blue Guitars (2005). Beyond music, Rea was a passionate motor racing fan and Ferrari enthusiast, even writing the screenplay and soundtrack for the 1996 film La Passione about the iconic car brand.
A devoted family man, he is survived by his wife Joan, whom he met at school in Middlesbrough at age 16, and their two daughters, Josephine and Julia. Chris Rea's unique sound—a blend of melodic songwriting, blues grit, and that unmistakable voice—ensures his music, especially the timeless Driving Home for Christmas, will continue to resonate for generations.
