Chris Rea, 74, singer known for "Fool If You Think It's Over"

[CTListener]

Chris Rea, rock and blues singer-songwriter, dies aged 74

Middlesbrough-born musician had hits with Driving Home for Christmas, On the Beach and The Road to Hell

www.theguardian.com

 

[crainbebo]

Underrated singer-songwriter, loved his work, especially "On the Beach". May he RIP and condolences to his family and friends.

 

[Miss Tuned]

I don't think Driving Home for Christmas made much of an impact in the U.S. but it's a staple of holiday radio in the UK:

 

[radiofan2023]

I don't think Driving Home for Christmas made much of an impact in the U.S. but it's a staple of holiday radio in the UK:

It's a great song, RIP Chris.

 

[Weiserguy]

His song, Curse of the Traveler, was a staple of the Smooth Jazz format while that was still a thing. Good song. RIP.

 

[ted chittenden]

Though The Guardian doesn't note it, Chris Rea was an atheist from what I've read elsewhere. That helps explain the writing and recording of "(You're on) The Road to Hell." RIP Chris!

 

[Miss Tuned]

Here's Chris on the BBC show "Mortimer and Whitehouse Gone Fishing" a couple of years ago, talking about his life, health and generally being a good guy:

 

[CTListener]

I don't think Driving Home for Christmas made much of an impact in the U.S. but it's a staple of holiday radio in the UK:

How did he pronounce his surname? I remember DJs here in the US pronouncing it "Ray" back when "Fool" was a hit, but when I hear his music on British internet radio stations, it's usually pronounced "REE-uh."

 

[Kemosabe]

How did he pronounce his surname? I remember DJs here in the US pronouncing it "Ray" back when "Fool" was a hit, but when I hear his music on British internet radio stations, it's usually pronounced "REE-uh."

I've always heard it pronounced "REE-uh" (unlike the way WBZ's Dan Rea pronounces his surname).

 

[Miss Tuned]

I've always heard it pronounced "REE-uh" (unlike the way WBZ's Dan Rea pronounces his surname).

It's like "rear". James Rea, head of broadcasting at Global Radio, has the same pronunciation.

 

[spiritof67]

I don't think Driving Home for Christmas made much of an impact in the U.S. but it's a staple of holiday radio in the UK:

It was BBC Radio 2 where I first heard this in 2004. Before the internet was mobile, I used to record the station overnight to a minidisc recorder and play it back at work the next day.

Following an absence of several months from the airwaves, Rea's "Fool If You Think It's Over" was the first song Radio Caroline played in April 1979. They followed that tradition when the station returned to the air in 1983 on their new ship, the Ross Revenge.

Rea was a musician I really liked. Here's my favorite:

 

[yeoldeschool]

I always thought his song Texas was a great middle of the road tune:

Which is somehow apropos, as given the size of Texas. you're forever in the middle of the road.

 

[tablin]

How did he pronounce his surname? I remember DJs here in the US pronouncing it "Ray" back when "Fool" was a hit, but when I hear his music on British internet radio stations, it's usually pronounced "REE-uh."

in the video above it sounds like "REE-uh" to me.