Singer Chris Rea, known for the festive hit 'Driving Home For Christmas', has died at the age of 74. His family said he died peacefully in hospital after a short illness. Christopher Anton Rea, the Middlesbrough-born blues-rock legend known for his soulful slide guitar and unmistakable husky baritone, has passed away at 74. From his start in music at age 22 to selling over 40 million albums, Rea’s journey was defined by a grit that mirrored the industrial landscape of his northern roots.
A statement from his family, released this afternoon, reads:
“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.”
After finding early success with "Fool (If You Think It's Over)," Rea became a global superstar in the late 1980s. His seminal albums, The Road to Hell and Auberge, showcased his ability to blend pop-rock sensibility with profound, often melancholic, social commentary. Despite his massive chart success, he remained most famous for the perennial holiday classic "Driving Home for Christmas," a song that has become a permanent fixture of the festive season, and documents the journey of traveling north to Teeside for the festive season.
In his later years Rea eschewed the mainstream to return to his first love: the blues. This transition culminated in ambitious projects like the 11-CD collection Blue Guitars, cementing his reputation as a master of the genre.
A passionate motor racing enthusiast and a devoted family man, Rea is survived by his wife, Joan, and their two daughters. He leaves behind a legacy of resilience, authenticity, and a body of work that captures the essence of the open road.
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