Latest news with #Lightnin'Strikes'
New York Post
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
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. Advertisement 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. Getty Images '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. Advertisement 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. WireImage 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. Advertisement 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.
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Lou Christie, 'Lightnin' Strikes' singer and teen idol, dies at 82
Lou Christie, 'Lightnin' Strikes' singer and teen idol, dies at 82 Lou Christie, who topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966 with "Lightnin' Strikes," has died. He was 82. A representative, Mary Fox, confirmed to USA TODAY on June 18 that the Pittsburgh-born singer had died June 17. A cause of death was not given. The falsetto-wielding Christie started his ascent from Glenwillard, Pennsylvania, choirboy to a teen idol when "The Gypsy Cried" started rising up the charts in 1963, followed by "Two Faces Have I." With the hit song, cowritten by Twyla Herbert, he went from Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco to Lou Christie. A few years later, he made a name for himself when "Rhapsody in the Rain" was banned by radio stations for what was deemed suggestive lyrics. Then in 1988, more than a decade after Christie released his rendition of "Beyond the Blue Horizon," the song made an appearance in the Oscar-winning film "Rain Man." It was also included in the soundtrack of 1993's "A Home of Our Own." Brian Wilson dies: Beach Boys cofounder was 82 Lou Christie continued to perform into his 80s Christie, according to his website, started his career in a two-track studio in Glenwillard with no musical training. He told the Beaver County Times, part of the USA TODAY Network, in 2016, that his first public performance was a first-grade Christmas pageant, in which he sang "Away in a Manger." "I thought everyone could sing," Christie said. "When I finished, I heard all this applause, and I was like, 'Oh, what is this? This is kind of cool.'" As a Moon Area High School student, he formed a band called The Crewnecks, followed by another group called Lugee & The Lions. With the Lions, he performed "in church basements or school gymnasiums. We'd do five a week, maybe three or four on a weekend." 10 bingeable memoirs to check out: Celebrities tell all about aging, marriage and Beyoncé Christie appeared to have performed as recently as 2023, when he was 80. Explaining how he was still performing into his 70s in 2016, Christie said, "I'm not a liquor drinker and I don't smoke or go out to places where the music is so loud you have to shout to have a discussion. That doesn't interest me. I live a peaceful life, and I think that helps." He added, "When you're performing in Wales and England or traveling through the South and beating yourself up with such a busy schedule for years you start to wonder does anyone really know what I'm out there doing, other than the fans, who are so dedicated. That's the nicest part of my career. I've had incredibly devoted fans." Contributing: Scott Tady, The Beaver County Times
Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Singer behind some of the most iconic soft-rock and pop hits dies
Lou Christie was the voice behind some of the most iconic soft-rock pop hits, he reached the apex of his professional success in 1966 with the singles Lightnin' Strikes' and Rhapsody in the Rain Singer Lou Christie, who had major hits, including lightning, strikes, and Rhapsody in the rain, has sadly died. Mr Christie was best known for his chart-topping, falsetto-driven hit "Lightnin' Strikes" (1966), which soared to No. 1 in the U.S. Other memorable classics include "The Gypsy Cried", "Two Faces Have I", "Rhapsody in the Rain", and "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" Christie's spouse, Francesca, told The Hollywood Reporter that the singer died at his Pittsburgh home after battling a brief sickness In a tribute posted on Facebook Johnny Rock and Roll Radio posted: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lou Christie, the unforgettable voice behind some of the most iconic soft-rock pop hits of the 1960s. Christie passed away on June 17, 2025, at the age of 82." It went on to say: "Let's honor Lou Christie by keeping his music alive—spinning his records, sharing his memorable falsettos, and celebrating the timeless spirit of an artist who truly struck lightning in the world of music." Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story HERE. Get email updates on the day's biggest stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by following The Mirror every time you see our name.
