HEAVEN - CHRIS REA - (1991)

Christopher Anton Rea (pronounced /ˈriː.ə/, REE-ə) (born 4 March 1951) is a singer-songwriter from Middlesbrough, England, recognisable for his distinctive, husky voice and slide guitar playing.[1] Rea has sold over 30 million albums worldwide.

Biography - Early career

Rea first picked up the guitar relatively late, at the age of 22. He had not played the local music scene around Middlesbrough much, and had no real history of playing with any local bands. However, under the guidance of local club owner, and promoter John B. McCoy he managed to gain a record deal with Magnet Records. Whatever Happened to Benny Santini? was Rea's debut album, released in 1978 (see 1978 in music). The first single lifted from the album, "Fool (If You Think It's Over)", is his biggest hit in the United States, peaking at number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching number one on the Adult Contemporary Singles chart. "Fool (if You Think It's Over)" was nominated for a Song of the Year Grammy, losing out to Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are". Unlike most of Rea's other singles, "Fool..." failed to appear on the UK Singles Chart on its first release and only reached #30 when re-released in late 1978 to capitalise on its US achievement. UK singer Elkie Brooks enjoyed greater success with "Fool.." in 1981 when she charted a single at #17. It was also the first record played by Radio Caroline, after a long period off the air.[3] A cover of "Fool..." by Kenny Craddock was used as the theme for BBC sitcom Joking Apart. The title of the album is a reference to a name Rea's UK record label (Magnet) had considered christening him with to make him sound more attractive commercially. Whatever Happened to Benny Santini? was produced by Gus Dudgeon. Rea was reportedly dissatisfied with the final mix of the album; he later went some way to supposedly rectify this to his satisfaction, starting with 1988's greatest hits compilation New Light Through Old Windows, which featured a re-recorded version of "Fool..." and several other of his back-catalogue tracks. Dudgeon went on to produce Rea's next effort, Deltics. It is rumoured within the music-industry however[citation needed], that this 'dissatisfaction' was merely a clever way of dispensing with royalty, or contractual, payments on the original recordings that would have been due under an agreement with his first Manager John McCoy, with whom Rea had subsequently dispensed.

European breakthrough

Rea began to focus his attention on continental Europe, releasing eight albums in the 1980s. It wasn't until 1985's Shamrock Diaries and the songs "Stainsby Girls" and "Josephine" that UK audiences began to take notice of him (on 5 July 1986 Rea played in front of 95,000 people at Slane Castle, Ireland, as a supporting act of band Queen on their Magic Tour). His Follow-up albums were On The Beach (1986) and Dancing with Strangers (1987). The Dancing with Strangers tour of 1987 saw Rea sell out stadium size venues for the first time across the world and Rea played Wembley Arena twice. His following album was the New Light Through Old Windows compilation album, which saw studio reworkings of original classics such as On The Beach, Let's Dance and Ace of Hearts, in 1988 brought Rea success and a further hit in Driving Home For Christmas. His next full album was to be his major breakthrough. The Road to Hell (1989) enjoyed massive success and became his first number one album in the UK. This accomplishment could not be mirrored in the US, where it only reached #107, in spite of the single track "Texas" achieving extensive radio airplay. The title track was released as a single and reached the UK Top 10. The follow-up album, Auberge, was also a European hit, reaching the top spot in the UK.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• HEAVEN
• CHRIS
• REA
• Pop
• Blues
• Rock

[deliteinmee]

Ask yourself whether the dream of heaven and greatness should be waiting for us in our graves - or whether it should be ours here and now and on this earth.”Ayn Rand ^^T^^~

[MrLarson40]

@deliteinmee Thanks for your comments, cheers.,,,,Ivan from Brazil.

[2012Zofia]

Uwielbiam go .. .. ThankYov very mvch....Beavtiful clip....

[MrLarson40]

@2012Zofia Thank you, cheers.

[MsJune54]

Love that voice & guitar.....Chris is always amazing.....thank you for this lovely video & all of the info about Chris

[MrLarson40]

@MsJune54 Anything, I appreciate and consider Chris a great singer, thanks for your sweet words to my video, cheers.....Ivan from Brazil

[alicze1]

Beautiful song and Video.....♥♪♥♪♪♥♪♥♪♥♪♪♥♪♥♪♥♪♪♥­♪♥

[Musicwalker01]

Algumas canções nem precisam de ouvidos para serem escutadas,

elas adentram através da nossa pele e vão direto ao nosso coração . . .

[MrLarson40]

@karmelek45 Dzięki za komentarze, cheers.....Ivan from Brazil

[MrLarson40]

@MzFlowerchild Thank you for the kind comment on my video, health, peace, love and success in your life.

[MzFlowerchild]

Beautiful song from an amazingly talented artist .........thank you so much for posting ......Peace