Chris Rea, the British singer-songwriter best known for his hit song “Driving Home for Christmas,” has died at the age of 74, his family announced Monday.
A statement on behalf of his wife and two children said, “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris.” BBC I mentioned. He added: “He died peacefully in the hospital earlier today after a short illness, and he was surrounded by his family.”
No additional details were immediately available.
Frank Hoensch/Redferns via Getty
Christopher Anton Rea was born in 1951 in Middlesbrough, in northeastern England, to an Italian father and an Irish mother. He was one of seven children.
He was a latecomer to the guitar, picking up one at age 21, and played in bands before striking out solo.
Raya gained great fame in the 1980s in Britain with hit songs such as “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)” and “Let’s Dance.”
Throughout his career, Rea recorded 25 solo albums, two of which — 1989’s “Road to Hell” and 1991’s “Auberge” — reached No. 1 in the country. The song for which he is perhaps best known in the United States, “Fool (If You Think It’s Over),” earned Rea a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist in 1979.
‘Driving Home for Christmas’, first released in 1986, has become one of the UK’s most beloved holiday songs and was featured in a Marks & Spencer TV advert this year.
According to the BBC, the family was known locally for Camilo’s ice cream factory and cafes, which his father owned.
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cook paid tribute to Priya on Monday, saying the singer had “left behind an amazing legacy”.
“Chris Rea was extremely proud of his Middlesbrough roots, and the people of our city were equally proud to call him one of their own,” he said, according to the BBC. “Millions of people around the world will be listening to his music tonight. His songs helped put Middlesbrough on the map and left behind a wonderful legacy.”
He was suffering from health problems, including pancreatic cancer, and in 2016 he suffered a stroke. In recent years, he has moved away from pop music and released several music recordings.
Raya is survived by his wife and two daughters.