Lou Christie - Greatest Hits

Songs:
March 1963 "Two Faces Have I"
January 1962 "The Gypsy Cried"
December 1965 "Lightnin' Strikes"
August 1969 "I'm Gonna Make You Mine"

Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco (born February 19, 1943), known professionally as Lou Christie, is an American singer-songwriter best known for three separate strings of pop hits in the 1960s, including his 1966 smash, "Lightnin' Strikes."

Sacco was born in Glenwillard, Pennsylvania and raised in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Sacco traveled to New York after graduating from Moon Area High School and found work as a session vocalist. He also recorded a few unsuccessful discs of his own for various record labels in both New York and Pittsburgh, most notably "The Jury" (as by "Lugee & The Lions") on the Pittsburgh-based Robbee label, which achieved local success.

"The Gypsy Cried" was released in 1962 on the tiny C&C label and unexpectedly credited to 'Lou Christie' without Sacco's permission. Sacco had been working on a list of potential stage names, and he has stated that he hated the name for decades afterwards: "I was pissed off about it for 20 years. I wanted to keep my name and be a one-named performer, just 'Lugee'." "The Gypsy Cried" features the vocal style that would characterize all of Christie's biggest hits: verses sung in his normal register, and then a dramatic shift to his falsetto on the choruses. After the C&C release became a hit in his home town of Pittsburgh, the song was picked up by Roulette Records and charted nationwide, peaking at #24. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. "The Gypsy Cried" was the first of numerous songs Christie co-wrote with his songwriting partner Twyla Herbert, a self-described eccentric and mystic, who was over twenty years older than Christie, but also shared his love of classical music. The two struck up a working relationship after Christie auditioned for her at the age of 15, and began a lifelong friendship which ended only with her death in 2009.

His follow-up single, "Two Faces Have I" in March 1963, was an even bigger hit, peaking at #6, as Christie joined Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars Tour. It also sold over a million copies. A third Roulette release, "How Many Teardrops" (written by Milan) stalled at #46, as Christie's career was temporarily derailed by his induction into the U.S. Army. He would not have another charting single for two and a half years. (A copy of "How Many Teardrops" is included on the Milan compilation album Hell Bent for Leather).

Christie was frequently written off by critics as an imitator of Frankie Valli, as both men possessed similar falsetto vocals, and the ability to change almost effortlessly between it and their normal registers. Later reviewers have been less harsh, noting that Christie was one of the first singer-songwriters of the era, a status later noted by John Lennon. While a stint in the military might have ended the careers of many musicians, Christie's career was quickly re-established after his discharge from the military, when he signed on with the MGM label.

MGM Records reportedly disliked Christie's first single for the label, with MGM's president reportedly throwing the tape into a wastepaper basket. But Christie's new management promoted the record in California, and when it gained some traction, MGM released it. "Lightnin' Strikes" would reach #1 in the U.S. on Christie's 23rd birthday on February 19, 1966, and also enter the UK Top 20, becoming his first hit in that country. It also reached number one in Canada. The song's lyrics featured his signature falsetto and included a female chorus (Bernadette Carroll, Denise Ferri, and Peggy Davison) shouting "Stop!" in counterpoint to the lead vocal:

Lou Christie
Birth name Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco
Born February 19, 1943 (1943-02-19) (age 67)
Origin Glenwillard, Pennsylvania United Stated
Occupations Singer-songwriter
Instruments Vocals (falsetto)
Years active 1962--present
Associated acts The Tammys
Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Christie

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[twistomama]

What a fantastic tribute to a great singer, songwriter and entertainer. I was so blessed to be one of the backup singers along with Bernadette Carroll and Peggy Davison on his MGM hits...Thanks so much for posting this..Lou is the best!!!!

Denise Ferri

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[beachwood425]

Thank you for sharing this great video!!

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[goldenstarpcfl]

What a great tribute to Lou. I was a pre-teen when he started out, but I still remember the words to those songs. I forgot what an awesome vocal range he had. Now I'll go on the 'net to see what is going on with him now. Thanks for the good memories!!!

[waashopper]

I can remember being a little kid,.. 'before' I ever heard of the Beatles, Lou Christy was one of my favorite music artists!

[gimpyjwilliams]

what about rhapsody in the rain?

[allaboard70]

Very early Lou Christie! Havn't listen to this songs. It was always about his late 60's and early 70's hits. Thank's a lot for this well done video!

[iksproduction]

great video! :)

[LousFool]

Joe--I just watched this in full screen mode...WOW---it just blew my mind. FabuLOUs!!!