--- title: Chris Rea slug: chris-rea-d006e url: /detay/chris-rea-d006e type: biography language: English entity: primary: Chris Rea type: biography categories: - name: Music slug: muzik url: /kategori/muzik tags: - MusicHistory - JourneyAdventure - GuitarSolo - PortraitPhotography - DeltaBlues - englishliterature - Bibliography - rea - chris - RockMusic - Legends - Biography - music - rock author: Burak Enes created_at: 2026-07-14T18:36:52.234453+03:00 updated_at: 2026-07-14T18:36:52.234453+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/12/22/bYod5SGjgCaK10fL0YGVMEUCXrt4d1Jt.jpg --- # Chris Rea > Chris Rea, a singer-songwriter and guitarist who produced music based on blues and rock, was born on March 4, 1951 in Middlesbrough, England, and died on December 22, 2025 at the age of 74 ## KURE Information Cards ![Chris Rea.png](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/12/22/OSeBfaO7C0IFjUyaW4ygk7EYlgb5UQTL.png) *Chris Rea* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Full Name | Christopher Anton Rea | | Spouse | Joan Rea | | Date of Birth | 1951-03-04 | | Place of Birth | Middlesbrough, England | | Occupation | Songwriter,Singer,Guitarist | | Music Genres | Blues rock, Rock, Blues | | First Album | Whatever Happened to Benny Santini? (1978) | | Child | Josephine Rea,Julia Rea | | Date of Death | 2025-12-22 | ## Article Content [Chris Rea](/en/detay/chris-rea-25327/llms.txt), a singer-songwriter and [guitarist](/en/detay/gitar-d4c35/llms.txt) raised in the United Kingdom, is known for establishing a musical language centered on blues-rock and consistently exploring themes of travel, driving, and “journey” through his songwriting. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/12/22/UuccYdPuqyGHxeo2dIqbQYh63Cj2OZiG.jpg) *Chris Rea (Flickr)* ### **Identity and General Framework** Chris Rea was born on 4 March 1951 in Middlesbrough. He grew up in a large family with an Italian father and an Irish mother. He maintained a long-standing relationship with his wife Joan from an early age, and they had two daughters. #### **Childhood Environment and Early Work Experiences** His life centered in Middlesbrough included work in the family-run ice cream business, which formed part of his pre-music career. During his youth he held various jobs while continuing to engage with music and beginning regular guitar practice at a relatively late age. #### **Instrumental Focus and Local Band Period** Chris Rea began playing guitar at age 21. This early phase involved collaboration with local bands including The Elastic Band and Magdalene, before he gained wider recognition with The Beautiful Losers. During this time he secured a recording contract, creating the conditions necessary for his transition to a solo career. #### **Launch of Solo Career and Early Success in the Late 1970s** His first studio album, *Whatever Happened to Benny Santini?*, was released in 1978. The standout track “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)” achieved notable success on US charts and brought him visibility associated with the Grammy category for Best New Artist. The same song was also released as a single in 1978. [YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aZBqrHs4qo) *Chris Rea - Fool If You Think Its Over (Chris Rea Official)* #### **Album Output from 1979 to 1985 and Period of Consistent Production** Between the late 1970s and mid-1980s, Rea maintained a steady stream of album releases. His 1979 album *Deltics* was followed in 1980 by *Tennis*. In 1982 he released the self-titled *Chris Rea*, then *Water Sign* in 1983, *Wired to the Moon* in 1984, and *Shamrock Diaries* in 1985. This period established a musical identity marked by the maturation of his blues-rock fusion and a more distinct blending of blues and rock elements. [YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ7KtddVp4Q) *Shamrock Diaries (Chris Rea Official)* #### **Widespread Recognition and Album Success in the United Kingdom during the 1980s** During the 1980s, Rea gained stronger recognition in the United Kingdom, with songs such as “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)” and “Let’s Dance” becoming part of the era’s hit repertoire. Album performance also rose significantly; his 1989 album *The Road to Hell* and 1991 album *Auberge* both reached number one on the UK charts. [YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcW-BSEB3ng) *Chris Rea - The Road to Hell Pt 2 (Chris Rea Official)* ### **“Driving Home for Christmas” and the Song’s Background** “Driving Home for Christmas” was first released in 1986. Although it did not achieve immediate success, it gradually gained lasting popularity. In later years it became one of the UK’s most beloved Christmas songs and was featured in a television advertisement by a major retail brand. The song’s origin is tied to a personal journey during a difficult period. In 1978, after his contract and management arrangement collapsed, Rea was unable to afford a train ticket from London to Middlesbrough and was picked up by his wife in an old Austin Mini. The initial draft of the lyrics was written during this journey through snow and heavy traffic. The song later appeared on his 1988 compilation album *New Light Through Old Windows*, where it was recognized as one of his biggest hits. [YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2quXHinymQ) *Driving Home for Christmas (Chris Rea Official)* ### **Musical Style, Vocal Character, and Guitar Approach** Chris Rea’s music is rooted in blues-rock, consistently incorporating elements of rock, blues, and jazz. His voice has been described as “husky,” and his use of slide guitar technique became a defining feature of his musical identity, evident both in his recordings and in his overall artistic profile. ### **Film Work and Multidisciplinary Production** One of Rea’s childhood aspirations was to compose music for film, a goal realized in 1996 with the movie *La Passione*. He also created music and themes for *Soft Top Hard Shoulder* and appeared as an actor in the 1999 comedy *Parting Shots*. The concept for *La Passione* emerged from his passion for motorsport and Ferrari, resulting in a film and accompanying album rich in new musical content. ### **Health Issues and Their Impact on His Career** Health problems played a significant role in Chris Rea’s life. At age 33 he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and underwent surgery involving the removal of part of his pancreas, along with portions of the duodenum, gallbladder, and liver. Following this, he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and kidney complications. In 2016 he suffered a stroke, after which his live performances became irregular due to health conditions. In 2017 he collapsed on stage during a concert in Oxford and was hospitalized for recovery. ### **Directional Shift in the 2000s and Beyond** Chart success declined somewhat during the 2000s, but with his 2002 album *Dancing Down the Stony Road*, Rea moved away from his pop-oriented style toward a pronounced return to Delta blues influences. Media reports noted his shift toward “more blues” recordings during this period. Albums from this era include *Blue Street (Five Guitars)* (2003), *Hofner Blue Notes* (2003), *The Blue Jukebox* (2004), *Blue Guitars* (2005), *The Return of the Fabulous Hofner Bluenotes* (2008), *Santo Spirito Blues* (2011), and *Road Songs for Lovers* (2017), demonstrating continued creative output. ### **Discography** #### **Albums** - *Whatever Happened to Benny Santini?* (1978) - *Deltics* (1979) - *Tennis* (1980) - *Chris Rea* (1982) - *Water Sign* (1983) - *Wired to the Moon* (1984) - *Shamrock Diaries* (1985) - *On the Beach* (1986) - *Dancing with Strangers* (1987) - *The Road to Hell* (1989) - *Auberge* (1991) - *God’s Great Banana Skin* (1992) - *Espresso Logic* (1993) - *The Blue Café* (1998) - *Dancing Down the Stony Road* (2002) - *Blue Street (Five Guitars)* (2003) - *Hofner Blue Notes* (2003) - *The Blue Jukebox* (2004) - *Blue Guitars* (2005) - *The Return of the Fabulous Hofner Bluenotes* (2008) - *Santo Spirito Blues* (2011) - *Road Songs for Lovers* (2017) #### **Singles** - “Whatever Happened to Benny Santini” (1978) - “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)” (1978) - “Raincoat and a Rose” (1979) - “Seabird” (1979) - “Let’s Dance” (1987) - “On the Beach” (1986) - “Driving Home for Christmas” (1986) - “Working on It” (1989) - “The Road to Hell (Parts 1 & 2)” (1989) - “Tell Me There’s a Heaven” (1990) - “Texas” (1990) - “Auberge” (1991) - “Heaven” (1991) - “Winter Song” (1991) - “Nothing to Fear” (1992) - “God’s Great Banana Skin” (1992) - “Soft Top, Hard Shoulder” (1993) - “Julia” (1993) - “You Can Go Your Own Way” (1994) - “The Blue Café” (1997) ### **Death** Chris Rea died on 22 December 2025 at the age of 74. It was reported that his death followed a brief illness in hospital. ## Academic Sources and References 1. ABC News. "Singer-songwriter Chris Rea, Known for ‘Driving Home for Christmas,’ Dies at 74." ABC News. Accessed December 21, 2025. https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/singer-songwriter-chris-rea-driving-home-christmas-dies-128620529 2. Chris Rea Official. "Chris Rea - Fool If You Think Its Over." YouTube. Accessed December 21, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aZBqrHs4qo&list=RD3aZBqrHs4qo&start\_radio=1 3. Chris Rea Official. "Chris Rea - The Road to Hell Pt 2 (Official Music Video)" YouTube. Accessed December 21, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcW-BSEB3ng&list=RDOcW-BSEB3ng&start\_radio=1 4. Chris Rea Official. "Driving Home for Christmas." YouTube. Accessed December 21, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2quXHinymQ&list=RDc2quXHinymQ&start\_radio=1 5. Chris Rea Official. "Shamrock Diaries." YouTube. Accessed December 21, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ7KtddVp4Q&list=RDEJ7KtddVp4Q&start\_radio=1 6. Dutch Simba. "IMG\_0437." Flickr. Accessed December 21, 2025. https://www.flickr.com/photos/dutchsimba/4410324115/in/photolist-7HJ4GX-a8cwnm-4Zf2RS-8jTBtD-2rAGN7u-21Ub7tB-nYEnTa-JedPJZ-a89Q7B-7HJ5Rg-at6ojs-a8axhX-7F39HM-8WtTyD-6y4Tg3-XAeYqE-dKbcbX-4ZqWqT-XAeYgw-aMKjv-YzsprC-XAeZ7u-at6nkU-a8dgXj-Yzsoxo-YzsoMm-7HN1EY-at3HWB-Yzsp79-cybX5Y-7HJ5ze-a8ad92-9ZvyGh-76SNba-qA8ARF-bzn1Z9-a8anLK-CCbPK-a8amo2-2i3N1d4-7HN1ZG-a8cWuf-av3ai9-a8d7Rs-7HN1uL-4DmrGM-5VzJaH-kbvJU-a89Nzn-a8ddpA/ 7. IMDb. "Chris Rea – Biography." Accessed December 21, 2025. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0713730/bio/ 8. PulsRadio. "Chris Rea – Biography." Accessed December 21, 2025. https://www.pulsradio.com/en/80s/biography/Chris\_Rea 9. Spirit of Rock. "Chris Rea: Discography, Line-Up, Biography, Interviews, Photos." Spirit of Rock. Accessed December 21, 2025. https://www.spirit-of-rock.com/en/band/chris\_rea 10. The Guardian. "Chris Rea, Rock and Blues Singer-Songwriter, Dies Aged 74." The Guardian. Accessed December 21, 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/dec/22/chris-rea-rock-and-blues-singer-songwriter-dies-aged-74 11. Ігор Цьох. “Chris Rea Baloise Session 2017.” YouTube. Accessed December 21, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pml9jErlV1s&list=RDPml9jErlV1s&start\_radio=1