Chris Rea died today at the age of seventy four. Given the various health issues he had to deal with during his adult life, it is actually quite astonishing that he made it this far. He was a Yorkshireman, born in Middlesbrough within this fair county's historical boundaries before those idiots in Westminster adjusted our borders without even properly consulting the citizens of Yorkshire. It still rankles.
I will be driving our Ian home for Christmas on Christmas Eve morning, having lodged on Tuesday night in Woburn, Bedfordshire. I didn't fancy two 3.5 hour drives in one day. Besides, I hope to manage a long walk down there on Tuesday afternoon. Cloud is promised but not rain
"Driving Home for Christmas" is an easy, laid back kind of Christmas song that has endured through the decades and it's kind of fitting that Chris Rea finally shuffled off his mortal coil just three days before Christmas. His song will live on for many Christmases to come. Much better than a chiselled gravestone or a black urn. Take it away Chris...
I had never heard of Chris Rea but I like this song and his raspy voice. Merry Christmas, Neil.
ReplyDeleteIn the U.S. he was best known for the 1978 single "Fool (If You Think It's Over)", which reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, earning him a Grammy nomination as Best New Artist in 1978.
DeleteNot a singer/musician I'm familiar with but that's a catchy Christmas song!
ReplyDeleteIt will endure much longer now that he is dead.
DeleteI'd never heard of him either, but did hear about his death on the news. I just looked him up on wikipedia, in particular, his health problems. My goodness he was a lucky man to have lived so long.
ReplyDeleteHe must have had a strong fighting spirit.
Delete74 is way too young to die.
ReplyDeleteTry 65, 62 and 66 - my dad, my oldest brother and my youngest brother.
DeleteI used to stay in Woburn regularly. I think it was called 'The three magpies" it was a lovely old pub. Full of character.
ReplyDeleteI was saddened to hear of Chris Rea's passing. He leaves a legacy of his music for us all to enjoy.
Safe travels as you drive home for Christmas!
Did your fancy man live in Woburn Christina?
DeleteI sort of grew up with his music. My Dad borrowed his albums from the library where my Mum worked and listened to them at home; I was amazed to hear on the news yesterday that there were about 25 of them.
ReplyDeleteYes, there was a long struggle with health issues, but somehow he pulled through it all... until now. It must be very hard for his family, and I hope they can find consolation in listening to his music and knowing that he is now free of pain.
Rest in peace, Chris.
Your father was blessed with good taste Meike.
DeleteThe one great meeting of the year is Christmas, families come together, and I presume Ian's wife goes to her family with the little one? The two Londoners are down here tonight as well. The freezers are stacked, the beds made and the Christmas tree shimmers in all its glory. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteIt's too painful to answer your first question THelma.
Delete*Songs are time machines.*
ReplyDeleteThe words of the blind jazz pianist in Evan Hunter's novel *Streets of Gold* .
Fairy Tale of New York (The Pogues) is top of my playlist.
The only Christmas song about broken dreams.
*I could have been someone.* *Well so could anyone.*
Fare Thee Well Chris Rea !
Most of us could have "been someone". That is what I would have told Shane McGowan.
DeleteI hadn't heard this song before either but he has a nice voice.
ReplyDeleteIn the U.S. he was best known for the 1978 single "Fool (If You Think It's Over)", which reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, earning him a Grammy nomination as Best New Artist in 1978.
DeleteI am unfamiliar with him, but I love the rough edges to his voice.
ReplyDeleteRIP
In the U.S. he was best known for the 1978 single "Fool (If You Think It's Over)", which reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, earning him a Grammy nomination as Best New Artist in 1978.
DeleteIt is indeed ironic he died just before Christmas.
ReplyDeleteNo need for him to drive home any more.
DeleteWhere are my comments disappearing to???
ReplyDeleteInto the censor's "pending" tray.
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