Lou Christie, the falsetto singer-songwriter known for such songs as ‘Lightnin’ Strikes’ and ‘I’m Gonna Make You Mine’, has died. He was 82.
The musician’s family announced his death “after a brief illness” in an Instagram post on Wednesday, writing in part, “It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of our beloved brother, Lou Christie.”
“He was cherished not only by his family and close friends, but also by countless fans whose lives he touched with his kindness and generosity, artistic and musical talent, humor and spirit,” the statement continued. “His absence leaves a profound void in all our hearts. He will be greatly missed, always remembered, and forever loved. The Sacco Family”
Born Feb. 19, 1935 in Glenwillard, Pennsylvania, Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco studied music and voice in high school before he began recording songs with small Pittsburgh labels in the 1950s and ’60s.
As Lou Christie, his breakout hit came with the 1962 single ‘The Gypsy Cried’, which reached No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. He went on to release such songs as ‘Two Faces Have I’ and ‘How Many Teardrops’ in 1963, before pausing his music career to serve in the U.S. Army.
Christie was also known for the ’66 hit ‘Rhapsody in the Rain’, which was infamously banned from some radio stations as one of the first pop songs to openly reference teen sex.
In 1974, Christie went country with a self-titled album, known for its song ‘Beyond the Blue Horizon’, featured on the Rain Man (1988) soundtrack. He continued to record music and tour into his final years, joining the supergroup Dick Fox’s Golden Boys in 2022.
Christie is survived by his wife Francesca Winfield and daughter Bianca. His son Christopher died in 2014.
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