Lou Christie, famous for Billboard No. 1 single ‘Lightnin' Strikes,' dead at 82
Singer Lou Christie, famous for Billboard charting singles 'Lightnin' Strikes' and 'Rhapsody in the Rain,' died Wednesday at age 82, according to his family.
Christie died at home in his native Pittsburgh following a short illness of an undisclosed nature, Francesca, his wife, told The Hollywood Reporter.
'It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of our beloved brother, Lou Christie, who left us after a brief illness,' the Sacco family said in a post on the singer's Instagram Wednesday.
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Christie, here on stage in the United Kingdom in 1970, passed away
at his Pittsburgh home Wednesday at the age of 82, according to his family.
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'He was cherished not only by his family and close friends, but also by countless fans whose lives he touched with his kindness and generosity, artistic and musical talent, humor and spirit. His absence leaves a profound void in all our hearts,' the message read.
Born Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco in 1943, the falsetto crooner grew up in Pittsburgh suburb Gelnwillard — moving to New York right after high school, in 1961, to pursue a career in the music industry.
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Christie had two minor hits in 1963 — 'The Gypsy Cried,' which made it to No. 24 on the Hot 100 in March, and 'Two Faces Have I,' which peaked at No. 6 in June of that year, according to Billboard.
In 1966, Christie had his breakthrough with 'Lightnin' Strikes,' which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February.
Lou Christie performing in New Jersey in 2013.
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Lightning struck again the next month with the controversial 'Rhapsody in the Rain,' which peaked at No. 16 — but initially faced limited radio play due to its then-raunchy lyrics.
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Christie provocatively sang, 'We were makin' out in the rain/ And in this car, our love went much too far,' which was considered over-the-top suggestive by radio listeners in 1966.
The lyrics were changed to 'We fell in love in the rain/ And you and I were feelin' no pain.'
Christie is survived by two children and his wife Francesca.
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