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.
Rea died on Monday, Dec. 22, following a hospitalization for a “short illness,” according to a statement shared on the singer’s social media pages. Additional details on Rea’s condition were not disclosed.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris,” the statement read. “Chris’ music has created the soundtrack to many lives, and his legacy will live on through the songs he leaves behind.”
Rea had battled numerous health issues over the course of his life, including a pancreatic cancer diagnosis at age 33 and a 2016 stroke.
USA TODAY has reached out to a representative for Rea for comment.
Born in Middlesbrough, England, to an Italian father and an Irish mother, Rea initially aspired to become a journalist and attended St Mary’s College in his hometown.
Rea began honing his musicality in his early 20s after purchasing his first guitar, taking inspiration from blues and rock musicians such as Charlie Patton, Blind Willie Johnson and Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh. He also immersed himself in genres like Delta blues, gospel blues and light orchestral music.
The burgeoning rocker discovered his potential as a vocalist in the early ’70s after joining the band Magdalene in 1973. He began singing one day after the group’s lead singer failed to appear for a performance. Rea went on to form another band, The Beautiful Losers, which split in 1977.
Rea had also signed a solo record deal with Magnet Records and released his debut single, “So Much Love,” in 1974. His first album, “Whatever Happened to Benny Santini?,” followed in 1978 and spawned the hit “Fool (If You Think It’s Over),” which peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Rea’s musical breakthrough was solidified the following year when he received a Grammy Award nomination for best new artist.
After a string of commercially lackluster albums – 1979’s “Deltics,” 1980’s “Tennis” and 1981’s “Chris Rea” – Rea’s career began to pick up steam again in the mid-’80s, starting with “Water Sign” in 1983.
His 1989 album, “The Road to Hell,” topped the U.K. albums chart, while its title track peaked at No. 11 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.
Rea also found success in the holiday music world. His song “Driving Home for Christmas,” originally released as a B-side on his 1986 single “Hello Friend,” became an unexpected hit when it was rereleased on Rea’s first compilation album, 1988’s “New Light Through Old Windows.”
The feel-good pop rock track has maintained a consistent presence on the U.K. charts, peaking at No. 10 on the singles chart in 2022, more than 30 years after its release.
Rea’s musical output remained prolific throughout the ’90s and 2000s, with the singer releasing 13 albums between 1991 and 2008. His final album, “One Fine Day,” was released in 2019.
Despite his illustrious career, Rea told Saga in June 2024 that he always had a “difficult relationship with fame.”
“None of my heroes were rock stars. I arrived in Hollywood for the Grammy Awards once and thought I was going to bump into people who mattered, like Ry Cooder or Randy Newman. But I was surrounded by pop stars,” Rea said. “The celeb thing has gone totally wrong in the sense that everyone has tried to top each other. They don’t put the work in.”
Fans ‘devastated’ by Chris Rea’s death
Several of Rea’s diehard fans took to social media to mourn the singer’s death and pay tribute to his musical legacy.
“‘Driving Home for Christmas’ [is] playing in my car right now. This song has always been my favorite Christmas song,” @nils.rmb wrote on Instagram. “Thank you for the music, Chris Rea. You will never be forgotten.”
“I’ve never been this upset about a musician passing away,” @olliew2401 commented. “I’m absolutely devastated.”
“Thank you, Chris Rea, for your fabulous music and the joy it brought to so many,” @aestheticprocedure wrote. “Rest in peace💔🙏”
“I remember your music and voice from my childhood,” @vkayproduction commented. “You are one of the best musicians who have influenced millions.”
“Always play [‘Driving Home for Christmas’] on a loop when I’m driving back home for Xmas. This year, it’ll be bittersweet,” @fbaphil wrote. “RIP Chris. Thanks for the music and memories.”
