UK Singer Chris Rea Dies at 74, Days Before Christmas
LondonBritish singer-songwriter Chris Rea, known for his 1980s festive hit “Driving Home for Christmas,” has died at the age of 74, his family announced Monday.
The spokesperson for his wife and two children said in a statement shared with the British media: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris.”
“He passed away peacefully in hospital with his family by his side earlier today after a short illness.”
A post on his official social media channels added: “Chris’ music has soundtracked many lives and his legacy will live on through the songs he leaves behind.”
No further details were immediately available.
The musician, who was born in Middlesbrough in the north-east of England in 1951, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had his pancreas removed in 2001, and suffered a stroke in 2016.
He first rose to fame in Britain in the late 1970s with “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)”, followed by “Let’s Dance” and “The Road to Hell” in the 1980s.
Known for his gravelly voice and slide guitar playing, he has recorded 25 solo albums – two of which topped the UK albums chart – while also earning a Grammy nomination early in his career.
Her 1986 song “Driving Home for Christmas” became synonymous with the festive season, frequently reappearing in the British singles chart in December.
It reached number 30 in recent weeks and was also featured in supermarket chain Marks & Spencer’s Christmas advert.
According to Rea’s website, the song “tells the story of a weary traveler on his way home with a moment of warmth, humor and holiday spirit that never loses its magic.”
He explained in interviews that he wrote the song eight years ago during a difficult time when his manager left him, he was banned from driving and his wife was behind the wheel.
“I would look at the other drivers, all looking very miserable,” he had previously said.
“I jokingly started singing ‘We’re going home for Christmas…’ and then when the street lights shined inside the car, I started writing the lyrics.”
Hometown football club Middlesbrough FC said in the X it was “deeply saddened” by the news of his death, describing him as a “Teesside icon”.
