Singer Chris Rea, celebrated for the enduring holiday favorite Driving Home for Christmas, has died at the age of 74, a family spokesperson confirmed.
A statement released on behalf of his wife and two children read: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris. He passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today following a short illness, surrounded by his family.”
The Middlesbrough-born musician faced health challenges, including a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in 2001, which led to the removal of his pancreas. He also suffered a stroke in 2016.
Born in 1951 to an Irish mother and Italian father, Rea initially worked various laboring jobs and assisted in his family’s ice cream business after leaving school.
He achieved widespread recognition in the late 1970s and 1980s with popular songs like Fool (If You Think It’s Over), Let’s Dance, and The Road to Hell.
Rea’s debut album, Whatever Happened to Benny Santini?—a title referencing a stage name his record label suggested—was released in 1978. The track Fool (If You Think It’s Over) earned a Grammy nomination and helped him cultivate a devoted fanbase, particularly in Ireland.
By the time his eighth album, On the Beach, and its accompanying hit single were released, Rea had become a prominent star in the UK and throughout Europe, achieving occasional success in the United States.
The 1989 release of Road to Hell solidified his status as one of the UK’s biggest solo artists.
However, it’s arguably Driving Home for Christmas, first released in 1986, that remains his most beloved and recognizable song.
