Chris Rea, known for hits such as „Driving Home For Christmas” and „The Road To Hell”, has passed away at the age of 74.
„With immense sadness, we announce the death of our beloved Chris. He passed away today, peacefully, in the hospital, after a short period of illness, surrounded by family,” a spokesperson for his wife and two children said, as quoted by the BBC.
The singer and songwriter from Middlesbrough composed the legendary Christmas hit "Driving Home for Christmas" in 1978, which has been reappearing in the UK singles chart every year since 2007. It reached its highest position in 2021, when it reached number 10.
Rea recorded 25 studio albums, two of which reached the top of the UK Albums Chart.
Rea was born on March 4, 1951, in Middlesbrough, North Riding of Yorkshire, to an Italian father, Camillo Rea, and an Irish mother, Winifred K. Slee.
In 1973, he joined the local band Magdalene in Middlesbrough and started composing songs.
He continued to enjoy a long and successful career in the British music scene.
