Chris Rea has died at the age of 47 after a successful career where he was the singer of one of the most iconic festive songs Driving Home For Christmas
Chris Rea was married to his wife Joan for 57 years Joan after meeting at the age of just 16. The singer has died at the age of 74, it has been announced today. He was best known for being behind the iconic Christmas song Driving Home For Christmas. Throughout his successful music career, Chris has been backed by his supportive wife.
It has even been said in the past that Joan was even one of the minds behind the famous festive tune. Chris revealed that he was being driven back up north by his childhood sweetheart after a recording session in December 1978 when inspiration hit for the song.
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The star explained that it had started snowing outside and they had got stuck near Nottingham as they waited for the roads to be cleared. Chris said he found himself looking out of the window at other drivers who he noted looked miserable. This is when the iconic line “driving home for Christmas” was invented.
Despite his moment of genius, Chris explained that the song had been created out of desperation as he had little money left and thought his music career was coming to an end.
Joan had agreed to take her partner to London as he was set to be dropped by his manager and his recording contract had ended. This meant the company wouldn’t pay for a train ticket for him.
Chris was claiming benefits at the time and was also on a driving ban. Joan and Chris had just £220 left between them and they decided to drive for six hours to get back to Middlesbrough which meant they got home at 3am.
When they opened the door, a letter was on the doormat from a US performing rights organisation. His song Fool (If You Think It’s Over) had charted in the US and he’d been sent a cheque for £15,000.
The pair couldn’t believe their luck and decided to use the funds to purchase a house. Chris had written down the lyrics for Driving Home For Christmas, but it was a few years later when he was playing around with his new Roland keyboard and came up with a melody.
It was put as a B-side on his 1986 single Hello Friend but listeners loved the other song and he decided to re-record it. It was announced today that Chris died in hospital following a short illness.
A spokesperson for his family said: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris. He passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today following a short illness, surrounded by his family.”
The musician has recorded 25 studio albums and two of those topped the UK Albums Chart which were The Road to Hell in 1989 and its successor, Auberge, in 1991.
Source: Mirror
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