Lou Christie, the former teen idol best known for the 1966 #1 hit “Lightin’ Strikes” and the top-20 hit “Rhapsody in the Rain,” has died at age 82.
His family announced the news on Instagram, writing, “It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of our beloved brother, Lou Christie, who left us after a brief illness. 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.”
“His absence leaves a profound void in all our hearts. He will be greatly missed, always remembered, and forever loved,” the message ended.
Born Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco, Christie grew up in Pittsburgh. After high school, he moved to New York and became a singer, showing off what would become his signature falsetto in his first hits: 1963’s “The Gypsy Cried” and “Two Faces Have I.”
When Christie and his songwriting partner Twyla Herbert took “Lighntin’ Strikes” to his record label, he claimed they hated it so much that the president of the label threw the song in the garbage. But they released it anyway, and Christie went around the country promoting it himself; it topped the Hot 100 in February of 1966.
Christie’s follow-up, “Rhapsody in the Rain” — about having sex in the back seat of a car — was considered so dirty that it was banned by multiple radio stations, forcing him to record a “clean” version. Believe it or not, the “controversial” lyrics were, “And in this car, our love went much too far.”
Christie’s last big hit was 1969’s “I’m Gonna Make You Mine,” which hit the top 10.
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