{"id":365755,"date":"2025-12-23T15:46:12","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T15:46:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/365755\/"},"modified":"2025-12-23T15:46:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T15:46:12","slug":"chris-rea-dies-english-singer-songwriter-was-known-for-his-husky-gravel-voice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/365755\/","title":{"rendered":"Chris Rea Dies, English Singer-Songwriter Was Known For His Husky-Gravel Voice"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Best Classic Bands Staff<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Chris Rea in 2000<\/p>\n

Chris Rea, the English singer-songwriter who was known for his husky-gravel voice, beginning with his very first hit single, 1978\u2019s \u201cFool (If You Think It\u2019s Over),\u201d died today (Dec. 22, 2025). A statement from his family on his Facebook page<\/a> noted, \u201cIt is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Chris, who died peacefully earlier today following a short illness. Chris\u2019s music has created the soundtrack to many lives, and his legacy will live on through the songs he leaves behind.\u201d The announcement did not specify where; he was 74.<\/p>\n

Rea charted dozens of songs in the U.K., mostly in the middle range of the chart. Four reached the top 15 there including a holiday favorite, \u201cDriving Home for Christmas.\u201d The song was originally released as a B-side in 1986. Subsequent reissues saw the single chart regularly in the U.K. during the holiday season. It ultimately peaked at #10 in 2021.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

His biggest U.S. hit was \u201cFool (If You Think It\u2019s Over),\u201d which peaked at #12 on the Hot 100. Only one other single reached the top 70 of the U.S. chart.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

With a career spanning over 40 years and over 30 million album sales, Rea\u2019s distinctive vocal and significant body of work saw him become a much-loved solo artist in the U.K. He released 25 studio albums, with critical and commercial acclaim there. From 1986-1994, Rea earned seven consecutive platinum albums in the U.K., including two compilation releases. Many of his albums also earned success in many European countries, yet despite that success elsewhere, his only album to reach the Top 100 in the U.S. was 1978\u2019s Whatever Happened to Benny Santini?, which featured \u201cFool (If You Think It\u2019s Over).\u201d Its success garnered him a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.<\/p>\n

1989\u2019s \u201cThe Road to Hell (Pt 2)\u201d features Rea\u2019s husky-gravel voice. Its album was his first of two to top the U.K. chart.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Related:\u00a0Musician and celebrity deaths of 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Christopher Anton Rea was born on March 4, 1951, in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, and didn\u2019t purchase his first guitar until he was in his early twenties. He was self-taught. In 1973, he joined the band Magdalene, following David Coverdale\u2019s departure. Following a brief tenure with another band, Rea began his solo career in 1974.<\/p>\n

His many recordings are available in the U.S.\/worldwide here<\/a>, in Canada here<\/a> and in the U.K. here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Several artists paid tribute. Michael McDonald wrote, \u201cIt\u2019s nice to think that your voice and song are most likely accompanying so many folks making that trip at Christmas time as we speak. Thanks for sharing your gift with us all these years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been a fan for decades,\u201d wrote Randy Bachman. \u201c\u2019Fool\u2019 is one of my favorite songs. I\u2019ve seen him in concert many times. His voice is what l copied when I started my solo recordings.\u201d<\/p>\n

From Leo Sayer: \u201cWe became friends when I worked at his studio, sharing a mutual love of motor racing and blues. He was such a fine guitarist phrasing his songs with a uniquely husky voice, and a great songwriter too \u2013 .adios mate\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Best<\/a> <\/p>\n

The BCB team brings you the latest Breaking News, Contests, On This Day rock history stories, Classic Videos, retro-Charts and more.<\/p>\n

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