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Chris Rea

Actor, Producer, Writer, Additional Credits
Born March 4, 1951 (73 years)
Christopher Anton Rea (born 4 March 1951) is an English rock and blues singer and guitarist from Middlesbrough. A "gravel-voiced guitar stalwart", known for his slide guitar playing, Rea has recorded twenty-five solo albums, two of which topped the UK Albums Chart. Described as "rock's ultimate survivor", given his recovery from several bouts of serious illness, Rea was "a major European star by the time he finally cracked the UK Top 10" with his single "The Road to Hell (Part 2)". The album, The Road to Hell (1989), topped the album chart, as did its successor, Auberge (1991). His many hit songs include "I Can Hear Your Heartbeat", "Stainsby Girls", "Josephine", "On the Beach", "Let's Dance", "Driving Home for Christmas", "Working on It", "Tell Me There's a Heaven", "Auberge" and "Julia". He also recorded a duet with Elton John, "If You Were Me". Rea was nominated three times for the Brit Award for Best British Male Artist: in 1988, 1989 and 1990.

He has never toured the United States, where he is 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. A decade later, "Working On It" topped the Mainstream Rock chart. He has sold more than 40 million records worldwide.

Christopher Rea was born on 4 March 1951 in Middlesbrough in the North Riding of Yorkshire to an Italian father, Camillo Rea (died December 2010) originating from Arpino in the Province of Frosinone, and an Irish mother, Winifred K. Slee (died September 1983), as one of seven children. His family were of the Roman Catholic faith. The name Rea was well known locally thanks to his father's ice cream factory and café chain. When he was twelve, he worked clearing tables in the coffee bar and making ice cream in the factory. He wanted to improve the business, but his ideas got no support from his father. After leaving, he was replaced by one of his brothers. At that time he wanted to be a journalist and attended St Mary's College, Middlesbrough. ...

Source: Article "Chris Rea" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Known For
  • Parting Shots
  • La passione
  • Willie and the Poor Boys

Filmography

2018
2006
2001
Richard & Judy (TV Series) · as Self
2000
BBC Breakfast (TV Series) · as Self
1999
Loose Women (TV Series) · as Self
1997
Schimanski (TV Series) · as Self
1996
TFI Friday (TV Series) · as Self
1993
Shooting Stars (TV Series) · as Self
1993
Taratata 100% Live (TV Series) · as Self
1989
BingoLotto (TV Series) · as Self - Musical Guest
1989
The Arsenio Hall Show (TV Series) · as Self
1988
Flitterabend (TV Series) · as Self - Singer
1987
Going Live! (TV Series) · as Self
1982
Wogan (TV Series) · as Self
1982
Late Night With David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1982
Champs-Elysees (TV Series) · as Self
1981
The Kenny Everett Television Show (TV Series) · as Self
1977
On Your Marks, Get Set, Go (TV Series) · as Self
1974
3nach9 (TV Series) · as Self
1971
The Old Grey Whistle Test (TV Series) · as Self
1971
Parkinson (TV Series) · as Self - Performer
1964
Top of the Pops (TV Series) · as Self
1962
The Late Late Show (IE) (TV Series) · as Self
1955
This is Your Life (UK) (TV Series) · as Self

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