Chris Rea, the British blues-rock singer known for hits such as “Fool (If You Think It’s Over),” “Let’s Dance” and the holiday classic “Driving Home for Christmas,” has died. He was 74 years old.
A statement shared on Rhea’s social media pages said she passed away on Monday, December 22, after being hospitalized for a “short illness.” Additional details regarding Rhea’s condition were not released.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris,” the statement said. “Chris’s music has created the soundtrack for many lives, and his legacy will live on through the songs he left behind.”
Rhea has battled numerous health issues throughout her life, including being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 33 and suffering a stroke in 2016.
USA TODAY has reached out to Rea’s representatives for comment.
Born in Middlesbrough, England, to an Italian father and an Irish mother, Lea initially aspired to become a journalist and attended St Mary’s University in her hometown.
After purchasing his first guitar, Leah began developing his musicality in his early 20s, drawing inspiration from blues and rock musicians such as Charlie Patton, Blind Willie Johnson, and Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh. He also immersed himself in genres such as Delta blues, gospel blues, and light orchestral music.
The fast-rising rocker discovered his potential as a vocalist in the early ’70s, after joining the band Magdalene in 1973. They started singing the day after the group’s lead singer couldn’t come to the performance. Rare went on to form another band, the Beautiful Losers, but they disbanded in 1977.
Rare also signed a solo record deal with Magnet Records and released her debut single, “So Much Love” in 1974. His first album, “Whatever Happened to Benny Santini?,” followed in 1978 and produced the hit song “Fool (If You Think It’s Over),” which peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The following year, Rare’s musical breakthrough was cemented when she was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
After a series of commercially lackluster albums, including 1979’s Deltics, 1980’s Tennis, and 1981’s Chris Rea, Rea’s career began to pick up steam again in the mid-’80s, beginning with 1983’s Water Signs.
His 1989 album The Road to Hell topped the UK album chart, and its title song peaked at number 11 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.
Leah has also found success in the world of holiday music. His song “Driving Home for Christmas” was originally released as the B-side of the 1986 single “Hello Friend”, but became a surprise hit when it was re-released on Rare’s first compilation album, “New Right Through Old Windows” in 1988.
This feel-good pop-rock track maintains a steady presence in the UK charts, peaking at number 10 in the singles chart in 2022, more than 30 years after its release.
Rare’s musical output was prolific throughout the ’90s and 2000s, with the singer releasing 13 albums between 1991 and 2008. Their last album “One Fine Day” was released in 2019.
Despite an illustrious career, Rhea told Saga in June 2024 that she had always had a “difficult relationship with fame.”
“None of my heroes were rock stars. I once arrived in Hollywood for the Grammys and thought I’d run into important people like Ry Cooder and Randy Newman. But there were a lot of pop stars around me,” Leah said. “The celebrity thing was completely wrong in the sense that everyone tried to outdo each other. They didn’t try.”
Fans ‘devastated’ by Chris Rea’s death
Several of Ray’s devoted fans took to social media to mourn his death and pay tribute to his musical legacy.
“‘Driving Home for Christmas’ is playing in my car right now. It’s always been my favorite Christmas song,” @nils.rmb wrote on Instagram. “Thank you for the music, Chris Rea. You will never be forgotten.”
@olliew2401 commented, “I’ve never been so upset by the death of a musician.” “I was really devastated.”
“Thank you Chris Rea for your amazing music and the joy it has brought to so many,” @aestheticprocedure wrote. “Rest in peace💔🙏”
@vkayproduction commented, “I remember your music and voice from when I was a kid.” “You are one of the greatest musicians who influenced millions of people.”
“I always have[‘Driving Home for Christmas’]on loop when I drive home for Christmas. It’s going to be bittersweet this year,” wrote @fbaphil. “Rest in peace Chris. Thank you for the music and memories.”
