Latest news with #TheGypsyCried
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Legendary '60s star dead at 82
Lou Christie has died at the age of 82. The legendary '60s star - who is best known for the chart-topping 1966 hit Lightnin' Strikes - died on June 17, 2025, at his home in Pittsburgh after a brief illness, his wife, Francesca, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. Christie's other hits included The Gypsy Cried, Two Faces Have I, Rhapsody in the Rain, and I'm Gonna Make You Mine. Known for his towering falsetto, the singer-songwriter was born Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco and worked as a session vocalist. His stage name was given to him by the producer of The Gypsy Cried, music executive Nick Cenci. At the age of 15, he became friends with Twyla Herbert, a classically trained musician 20 years his senior, who became his regular songwriting partner and wrote hundreds of songs with him over three decades, until her death in 2009. Christie made numerous TV appearances in the '60s, including on Where the Action Is, American Bandstand and The Buddy Deane Show. Christie's 1963 track How Many Teardrops only made it to No. 46 in the US, and his career was stalled by his induction into the Army. His next hit happened to be his biggest, Lightnin' Strikes, released in late 1965, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1966. Christie's hit Rhapsody in the Rain was infamously banned from radio for its racy lyrics, but later returned to the airwaves. Huge names including Sir Elton John and Billy Joel have cited Christie as an influence. Tributes have started rolling in for Christie, with Johnny Rock and Roll Radio writing: "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."
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Lou Christie dead: Lightnin' Strikes & Rhapsody in the Rain singer has died at 82 after battling short illness
STAR LOST Lou Christie dead: Lightnin' Strikes & Rhapsody in the Rain singer has died at 82 after battling short illness Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ICONIC songwriter Lou Christie has died, aged 82. The Lightnin' Strikes & Rhapsody in the Rain singer passed away at his home in Pittsburgh after battling a short illness, his wife said. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 1 Lou Christie has died, aged 82 The artist reached number one of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966 with the catchy single Lightin' Strikes. And he had another top 20 hit that year with 'Rhapsody in the Rain,' considered overly raunchy at the time. He died on Wednesday aged 82, his wife Francesca told The Hollywood Reporter. The renowned singer was known for his signature falsetto, and he broke onto the scene with two songs in 1963 with the two tunes The Gypsy Cried and Two Faces Have I. Both tracks were written in collaboration with the late Twyla Herbert - a long-time work partner. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Lou Christie dead: Lightnin' Strikes & Rhapsody in the Rain singer has died at 82 after battling short illness
ICONIC songwriter Lou Christie has died, aged 82. The Lightnin' Strikes & Rhapsody in the Rain singer passed away at his home in Pittsburgh after battling a short illness, his wife said. Advertisement 1 Lou Christie has died, aged 82 The artist reached number one of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966 with the catchy single Lightin' Strikes. And he had another top 20 hit that year with 'Rhapsody in the Rain,' considered overly raunchy at the time. He died on Wednesday aged 82, his wife Francesca told The Hollywood Reporter. The renowned singer was known for his signature falsetto, and he broke onto the scene with two songs in 1963 with the two tunes The Gypsy Cried and Two Faces Have I. Advertisement Both tracks were written in collaboration with the late Twyla Herbert - a long-time work partner. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos . Like us on Facebook at
Metro
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Lou Christie, chart-topping singer and 1960s idol, dies aged 82
American singer-songwriter Lou Christie, a 1960s idol who soared to the top of the charts in the US and UK with songs including Lightnin' Strikes, has died aged 82. Christie died at home in Pittsburgh after a short illness his wife, Francesca, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday night. No further details were shared. The singer, famous for his stunning four-octave range and distinctive falsetto, enjoyed his first success aged just 20 with the songs The Gypsy Cried and Two Faces Have I in 1963. More Trending He then hit the big time in 1966 with Lightnin' Strikes, which soared to number one on the US Billboard charts. Later that year he courted controversy with the track Rhapsody in the Rain thanks to its suggestive lyrics about a teenager's sexual encounter, which saw it banned from radio stations. A re-recorded version with toned-down lyrics was later released at the insistence of his record label, MGM. His 1969 song I'm Gonna Make You Mine subsequently topped the charts in the UK. This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates. If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. For more stories like this, check our entertainment page. Follow Entertainment on Twitter and Facebook for the latest celeb and entertainment updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: Wincey Willis, ITV's first female weather presenter, dies aged 76 MORE: Doctor Who and Mind Your Language star Pik-Sen Lim dies aged 80 MORE: TV chef Anne Burrell's suspected cause of death aged 55 revealed
Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Lou Christie, renowned ‘Lightnin' Strikes' singer, dies at 82
Lou Christie, the singer-songwriter behind the 1966 chart-topper "Lightnin' Strikes," has died at the age of 82. His representative, Mary Fox, confirmed his passing on June 17, though a cause of death was not disclosed. Born Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco in Glenwillard, Pennsylvania, Christie rose to fame in the early 1960s with his falsetto vocals and heartfelt lyrics. His early hits like "The Gypsy Cried" and "Two Faces Have I" marked him as a teen idol, while "Rhapsody in the Rain" gained notoriety after being banned for suggestive lyrics. He reinvented himself through the decades, notably gaining renewed attention when his rendition of "Beyond the Blue Horizon" appeared in the film Rain Man (1988) and A Home of Our Own (1993). Even into his later years, Christie continued to perform for devoted audiences, touring and sharing his music well into his 80s. Christie began his career in a local studio with no formal musical training and never lost his passion for performance. Speaking to the Beaver County Times in 2016, he credited his longevity to living peacefully and connecting with fans who supported him throughout his journey.
