It seems like it is one after another of great artists falling off the track.
Now we hear that Lou Christie, a teen idol who will always be associated with the song Lightnin Strikes is dead at 82.
In 1963 breakthrough 1963
One of these voices you never forget was Lou Christie and boy could he succeed in reaching high notes.
Of course, unless you grew up in the 1960s you may not remember him as more than just a top of the charts falsetto but as a heartthrob even in the old days.
A native of Glenwillard, Pennsylvania who was born Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco, he had his feet wet in music as a singer in a church choir, and when he decided to give music a more commercial direction he altered his name to Lou Christie, which would very soon become the name making him one of the hottest names on the pop charts. He actually broke the charts with the song, The Gypsy cried in 1963 after which he followed it up with two faces have I.
It was explosive hit Lightnin Strikes that he and his writing partner Twyla Herbert co-wrote that put his place in pop history.
As it is explained on his official web site, Lou Christie did not start his music career in an enormous recording studio in any big city, but in a small 2-track studio in his home town of Glenwillard.
He was a self-taught musician who had no music training but was only left with power and raw talent.
Christie reminisced in 2016 to the Beaver County Times about his earliest public performance: a first-grade Christmas pageant where he sang, it turned out, Away in a Manger.
This was a man, said he, who thought everybody could sing. At the end of it all I heard this applause and I thought, what is this? Kind of cool, that is.”
I do not drink liquor I am not a liquor drinker
Those few words of the uncomplicated moment, however, brought something magical into life; the world would soon get to hear the voice that could put people on the edge of their seats.
Lightnin Strikes went straight to the very top of the U.S. charts, and on Lou Christie came to celebrate his 23 rd birthday, February 19.
However, this was not the end of the road of Christie. He continued to entertain throughout decades and, as per USA Today, in age 80 (in 2023) he was still performing the stage.
In 2016 when interviewed on how he was able to continue performing well up to his 70s, Christie answered that his living style helped him a lot.
I do not drink liquor and I do not smoke or attend a club that the music is so loud that you have to yell in order to have a conversation. I do not care about that. I live a quiet life and so I guess that helps.
Death reasons
However, the amazing career of Lou Christie ended on June 17.
On the official Instagram page, the family of the singer announced with heavy hearts the death of their brother, Lou Christie, who died after a short illness.
A cause of death is not revealed.
He was not loved by his family, close friends and to people who knew him only through his works but also by tens of millions of fans whose lives and hearts he warmed with his kindness and generosity, artistic and musical talent, humor and spirit. This leaves a great gap in our hearts in his absence as the message reads.
Christie leaves behind two kids and his wife Francesca.
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RIP Lou. You belonged to the category of people who made the rest of us richer with your presence in our world. Thanks a lot!