It is like all these beautiful artists are falling like flies.
Word now is that Lou Christie, the teen idol whose biggest hit was the song, “Lightnin Strikes, died at age 82.
In 1963 breakthrough.
Lou Christie was one of those voices you never forget and boy could he reach those high notes.
And, were you growing up in the 1960s,you probably remember him not only for his falsetto genius as a teenager topping that music chart, but also as a rather good looking heartthrob of a dude by increasing numbers of teenaged lassies at the time he was about.
Lou Christie was born Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco in Glenwillard, Pennsylvania, where he started off as a choir singer, then shifted to Lou Christie the name that would be taking the shine on the pop charts soon. His big break happened in 1963 as he released the song The Gypsy Cried and followed it up with Two Faces Have I.
It was however, the explosive hit, a collaboration with his writing partner Twyla Herbert, that he made “Lightnin Strikes”.
On his official site, Lou Christie reports that his entry into music did not occur in one of the recording studios of some large city, but it occurred in a home town recording in the small Glenwillard setup with a two-track facility.
He did not have proper formal training in the art of music but was actually untrained.
Christie remembered his first public appearance when he performed in a first-grade Christmas pageant singing the song Away in a Manger in a 2016 interview in the Beaver County Times.[16]
He told me that he believed every person knew how to sing. I completed and I heard this applause and I was saying, Ooh, what is this? That is sorta cool.’”
I am not a liquor drinker
And this uncomplicated moment was special because it lit something flaming inside of him- and soon after, the world would hear the voice which could still people in their tracks.
Lightnin Strikes made it all the way to the top in the U.S. and it reached that level on the 23rd birthday of Lou Christie, February 19.
That is not however the last we heard of Christie. He continued his performance throughout decades and even in 2023, USA Today mentions that he took the stage at the age of 80.
When Christie was interviewed on how he was able to continue performing well into his 70s back in 2016, he attributed a great part of it to his lifestyle.
I do not drink liquor and I do not smoke or go to a place where you have to shout and scream to make a conversation with people. I do not care about this. I live a quiet life, and I believe that assists,” he said.
Cause of death
And on June 17 Lou Christie passed away and the amazing story ended.
His family posted on the Instagram of the singer stating their feeling of deep sorrow sharing about the loss of our beloved brother Lou Christie, who passed away after a short illness.
Details of the cause of death are not given.
He was loved not just by his family and close friends or millions of fans whose hearts he warmed with his kindness and generosity, artistic and musical talent, humor and spirit. His loss creates a huge gap in our hearts,” the message said.
Christie leaves two children and a wife Francesca.
RIP Lou. You were one of those individuals who made the rest of us richer with your being in our world. Thanks a lot!
