British singer Chris Rea has died at the age of 74, a family representative said, as quoted by The Guardian.
He was born on March 4, 1951, in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, to a family of Italian and Irish descent. Before devoting himself to music, he worked in his father's ice cream factory and cafes. He bought his first guitar in his early 20s and taught himself to play, inspired by blues musicians such as Charlie Patton and Joe Walsh.
His music combines elements of rock, blues and jazz, with his slide guitar playing being his trademark.
Although he initially became a major star in Europe, he gained fame in the United States with the 1978 single "Fool (If You Think It's Over)", which reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist.
Throughout his career, Rhea has struggled with serious health problems, including pancreatic cancer, which have affected his work.
Rhea has released over 25 studio albums, two of which topped the UK album chart: The Road to Hell (1989 (1991) and Auberge (1991).
Probably his most famous song, which has become a beloved Christmas classic, is "Driving Home for Christmas":