Chris Rea obit

Chris Rea Dies: “Driving Home For Christmas” & “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)” Singer Was 74

 

He was not on the list.

Chris Rea, the rock singer who was best known for hits including “Driving Home For Christmas” and “Fool (If You Think It’s Over),” has died following a short illness. He was 74.

“It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris,” a spokesperson for Rea’s wife and children told BBC News. “He passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today following a short illness, surrounded by his family.”

Over a 50-year career, Rea became best known for hits including “Driving Home For Christmas” and “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)”.

Born in Middlesbrough in the North of England in 1951, Rea joined local band Magdalene in 1973 and began writing songs. His debut album, Whatever Happened to Benny Santini?, released in 1978, included “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)”.

While “Fool” didn’t break out in the UK, it was Rea’s biggest hit in the U.S., reaching number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning him a Grammy nomination. Other albums by Rea spent time in the Billboard charts over the years.

He released several more albums and hit new heights with “Driving Home For Christmas,” which was initially released as a B-side in 1986 before being re-released on a compilation album. That re-release garnered serious attention and it has been on the UK Singles Chart every year since 2007, appearing in TV shows like the BBC’s Gavin & Stacey. According to BBC News, he didn’t sing the song live until December 2014, hiring 12 snow cannons and letting them off during the song. It therefore feels apt that Rea died on December 22, as people all over the country are driving home to see relatives for the holiday.

After “Driving Home,” Rea released several more albums that charted well, including The Road to Hell, which was his first number one album in the UK, and Auberge, which followed this to the top spot.

Rea had had health problems in recent years but did release a Christmas album earlier this year, which included “Driving Home For Christmas” and others.

Rea is survived by his wife Joan Rea and two sons.