British singer Chris Rea, who died this Monday (22/12) at the age of 74, became known around the world thanks to the song Driving Home For Christmas, which became a Christmas classic. The release, however, took place against the artist’s wishes.
As the BBC recalls, the musician was pressured by the record company to release the song in 1986. At the time, Rea, who established himself as a guitarist and singer in genres like rock, blues and soul, did not want the Christmas song to tarnish the artist’s history.
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Driving Home For Christmas singer Chris Rea dies aged 74
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“I didn’t want a Christmas song to be released at that time. I did everything I could to stop them from releasing this album. But I’m glad they did!”, he recalls.
Driving Home For Christmas was, however, composed eight years earlier, in the midst of a crisis in the singer’s career. In 1978, Rea had just broken up with his agent and was inspired for the lyrics after receiving support from his wife to get back on his feet.
Chris Rea dies at 74
The death of Chris Rea was confirmed by his wife and children in an official statement to the international press this Monday (22/12). The singer was hospitalized and died surrounded by his family.
“He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, in hospital this morning, after a brief illness,” the note said.
The singer has composed 25 albums throughout his career and has sold more than 30 million copies. In addition to the Christmas anthem, which made the top 30 this year, he is also responsible for hits such as The Road to Hell, On the Beach and Josephine.
In 1994, the singer faced a complicated diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Years later, in 2001, he had to undergo complex surgery to remove the organ. Even after suffering a stroke in 2016, he continued to make small appearances and presentations.
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