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Chris Rea: From Hits to Blues, a Life in Music
22 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Chris Rea achieved fame in the late 70s and 80s with hits like Driving Home For Christmas.
- He returned to his blues roots after battling pancreatic cancer and a stroke.
- Rea was married to his wife Joan since they met at 16, with two daughters.
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Chris Rea, celebrated for his distinctive gravelly voice and hits such as 'Driving Home For Christmas,' has passed away at the age of 74. Rea rose to prominence in the late 1970s and 1980s, selling millions of records and earning award nominations.
Following serious health issues, including the removal of his pancreas in 2001 and a stroke in 2016, Rea found a new artistic direction in blues music. He once stated his desire for his daughters to remember his blues work over his pop success.
Born in Middlesbrough in 1951, Rea's musical journey began later in life, picking up the guitar at 21. He is survived by his wife Joan, whom he met at 16, and their two daughters, Josephine and Julia, who provided crucial support during his health struggles.
