Lou Christie, the falsetto singer-songwriter recognized for such songs as ‘Lightnin’ Strikes’ and ‘I’m Gonna Make You Mine’, has died. He was 82.
The musician’s household introduced his dying “after a brief illness” in an Instagram submit on Wednesday, writing partly, “It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of our beloved brother, Lou Christie.”
“He was cherished not only by his family and close friends, but also by countless fans whose lives he touched with his kindness and generosity, artistic and musical talent, humor and spirit,” the assertion continued. “His absence leaves a profound void in all our hearts. He will be greatly missed, always remembered, and forever loved. The Sacco Family”
Born Feb. 19, 1935 in Glenwillard, Pennsylvania, Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco studied music and voice in highschool earlier than he started recording songs with small Pittsburgh labels within the Nineteen Fifties and ’60s.
As Lou Christie, his breakout hit got here with the 1962 single ‘The Gypsy Cried’, which reached No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. He went on to launch such songs as ‘Two Faces Have I’ and ‘How Many Teardrops’ in 1963, earlier than pausing his music profession to serve within the U.S. Army.
Christie was additionally recognized for the ’66 hit ‘Rhapsody in the Rain’, which was infamously banned from some radio stations as one of many first pop songs to overtly reference teen intercourse.
In 1974, Christie went nation with a self-titled album, recognized for its track ‘Beyond the Blue Horizon’, featured on the Rain Man (1988) soundtrack. He continued to report music and tour into his last years, becoming a member of the supergroup Dick Fox’s Golden Boys in 2022.
Christie is survived by his spouse Francesca Winfield and daughter Bianca. His son Christopher died in 2014.