Singer Lou Christie of Lightnin’ Strikes fame has died at 82
82-year-old singer Lou Christie, famous for his songs such as ‘Lightnin’ Strikes’ and ‘Rhapsody in the Rain’, passed away on Wednesday.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Christie’s wife, Francesca, reported that the singer passed away at their Pittsburgh residence, following a short illness.
1966 marked the pinnacle of the songwriter’s career, as ‘Lightnin’ Strikes’ and ‘Rhapsody in the Rain’ were his most successful singles.
In a remarkable turn of events, “Lightnin’ Strikes” reached number one on the Billboard Top 100 chart, and “Rhapsody in the Rain” found itself among the top twenty songs.
Before 1966, Christie experienced his first successes with two hit singles in 1963: The Gypsy Cried and Two Faces Have I. Later on, in 1969, he also had a Top 10 hit with the song I’m Gonna Make You Mine.
Together with the late Twyla Herbert, whom he collaborated with extensively over the years, he co-authored both tracks. Tragically, she passed away in July of 2009, as confirmed by an online tribute.
As a devoted fan, I’d like to share that “Lightnin’ Strikes” was released by MGM Records in December of 1965, as per THR. Interestingly, it climbed to the number one spot two months later, coinciding with the birthday of the talented artist, Christie, as she turned 23 years old.
According to the source, Charles Calello took charge of the arrangements, direction, and production, with The Delicates’ members – Bernadette Carroll, Peggy Santiglia, and Denise Ferri – contributing their backing vocals.
In 2016, the song, written as if from a perspective of an unfaithful partner, was scrutinized by the online platform Rebeat.
The magazine noted that when Christie sees lips yearning for a kiss, his voice transforms into a high-pitched cry, sounding nothing like the smooth talker he appeared to be mere moments ago.
His transition from a teen heartthrob singing style to an unpredictable, haunting falsetto suggests that he’s morphed into an enigmatic entity beyond our control.
The examination proceeded, noting that his phrase, “lightning striking me again!”, connects him to the intensity of an abrupt, unforeseen outburst of force, burning intensely and leaving devastation behind.
‘It also evokes the electrical flash that brought Frankenstein’s monster to life.’
Upon hearing about the singer’s death, various tributes poured in, honoring him for his skills and abilities.
‘On X Wednesday, noted publicist Danny Deraney expressed that Lou Christie has passed away. Known for his extraordinary vocal range spanning four octaves, Christie’s voice and falsetto were truly unique.’
‘Lightning Strikes went all the way to Number 1 in 1966 and is a banger.’
As a dedicated lifestyle enthusiast, let me express my admiration for Lou Christie’s extraordinary vocal talent. In my opinion, his voice was nothing short of heavenly, as depicted in this captivating photo.
Although it’s deeply saddening to learn about his demise, I’m immensely thankful for the precious memories I’ve gathered that will remain dear to me forever.
‘My thoughts & prayers are with his family. Love you, Lou! #LouChristie.’
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2025-06-19 04:18