The British music world is in mourning following the announcement that revered singer-songwriter Chris Rea has died at the age of 74. A spokesperson for his family confirmed the news, stating he passed away peacefully in hospital after a short illness.
From Middlesbrough to Global Stardom
Born in Middlesbrough in 1951 to an Italian father and Irish mother, Chris Rea often described feeling like an outsider in his youth. He worked labouring jobs, including in his family's ice-cream business, before music took hold. After playing in bands like Magdalene and the Beautiful Losers, he embarked on a solo career in 1974.
His breakthrough came in the United States with the 1978 hit 'Fool (If You Think It's Over)', which reached No. 12 and earned him a Grammy nomination. While he faced commercial challenges in the early 80s, his fortunes turned with the 1985 album 'Water Sign'.
A Prolific Career Defined by Hits and Resilience
The late 1980s marked his peak commercial success in the UK, with a run of six Top 10 albums. His 1988 compilation, 'New Light Through Old Windows', featured what would become his signature song: 'Driving Home for Christmas'. Originally recorded in 1986, the track's popularity has grown exponentially, becoming a perennial festive favourite and reaching a chart high of No. 10 in 2021.
Rea's catalogue, spanning 25 studio albums, masterfully blended blues, pop, soul, and soft rock. Other major hits include 'The Road to Hell' (from a UK No. 1 album), 'On the Beach', and 'Josephine'. In total, he sold more than 30 million albums globally.
Life Beyond Music: Racing, Politics and Health Battles
A passionate motor racing enthusiast, Rea participated in the 1993 British Touring Car Championship and served as a pit mechanic for the Jordan Formula One team in 1995. Politically, he was a Labour supporter and even penned an unreleased song praising Jeremy Corbyn.
Rea faced significant health struggles. He underwent major surgery for pancreatic cancer in 2001, resulting in the removal of his pancreas and making him diabetic. He suffered a stroke in 2016 and collapsed on stage in Oxford in 2017, but showed remarkable resilience in returning to music.
In his later career, he returned to his blues roots with albums like 2002's 'Dancing Down the Stony Road'. Chris Rea is survived by his wife Joan, whom he met as a teenager, and their two daughters, Josephine and Julia, who inspired some of his most beloved songs.
