Singer Lou Christie, who had major hits including Lightnin’ Strikes’ and Rhapsody in the Rain, died at the age of 82 on Wednesday.
Christie’s spouse Francesca told The Hollywood Reporter that the singer died at his Pittsburgh home after battling a brief sickness.
The singer-songwriter reached the apex of his professional success in 1966 with the singles Lightnin’ Strikes’ and Rhapsody in the Rain.
Lightnin’ Strikes’ made it to the top spot on that Billboard Top 100 while Rhapsody in the Rain landed in the top 20.
Before 1966, Christie made his initial breakthrough with two popular singles in 1963: “The Gypsy Cried” and “Two Faces Have I.” Christie would go on to achieve another Top 10 hit with his 1969 song “I’m Gonna Make You Mine.”
He wrote both tracks with the late Twyla Herbert, who he worked with for years on songs. She died in July of 2009, according to an online obit.
Singer Lou Christie, who had major hits, including lightning, strikes, and Rhapsody in the rain, died at the age of 82 on Wednesday
The artist experienced the peak of his career in 1966 with the releases of “Lightnin’ Strikes” and “Rhapsody in the Rain.” He is pictured in New York City in 2024.
According to THR, “Lightnin’ Strikes” was released by MGM Records in December 1965. The song climbed to the top position two months later when Christie was 23 years old.
Charles Calello handled the arrangements, conducting and production, while The Delicates’ Bernadette Carroll, Peggy Santiglia and Denise Ferri provided backing vocals, according to the outlet.
The track – which is sung from the standpoint of a cheating partner – was analyzed in 2016 by the website Rebeat.
The magazine observed that ‘when Christie spots ‘lips begging to be kissed,’ his voice mutates into a shrill keen, completely unrecognizable from the charmer he posed as just seconds earlier.
‘The switch from his teen idol croon to the manic, eerie falsetto signifies that he has transformed into some unknown thing incapable of being controlled.’
The analysis continued: ‘His choice of words – “lightning striking me again!” – links him with the violence of a sudden, unpredictable burst of energy that burns hot and leaves destruction in its wake.
‘It also evokes the electrical flash that brought Frankenstein’s monster to life.’
Christie was pictured in 1972 seated in a field, clad in the styles of the time
The Pittsburgh-born singer-songwriter seen onstage in 1970
Court TV personality Julie Grant said: ‘Lou Christie had the voice of an angel!’ accompanied by a picture with him
As news spread of the singer’s passing, a number of memorials came in remembering him and his talents
Other prominent singles in his catalogue include 1969’s I’m Gonna Make You Mine, which It’s My Party singer Lesley Gore was featured on; and 1974’s Beyond the Blue Horizon.
As news spread of the singer’s passing, a number of memorials came in remembering him and his talents.
‘Rest in Peace Lou Christie,’ prominent entertainment publicist Danny Deraney said on X Wednesday ‘The man had a rare four octave range which made his voice and falsetto undeniable.
‘Lightning Strikes went all the way to Number 1 in 1966 and is a banger.’
Court TV personality Julie Grant said: ‘Lou Christie had the voice of an angel!’ accompanied by a picture with him.
‘While my heart is breaking with the news of his passing, I’m so grateful to have memories that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.
‘My thoughts & prayers are with his family. Love you, Lou! #LouChristie.’
Musician Ivan Bodley wrote: ‘I’ve known Lou Christie 30 years and have played with him countless times. Always a gentleman, always professional, always singing his a** off, and always a pleasure to be around. He will be missed. RIP…’
The singer is survived by his wife Francesca, who he had wed in 1971. The vocalist and the British beauty queen were parents to daughter Bianca and late son Christopher, who died tragically at the age of 46 in a motorcycle crash 11 years ago.
