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Middlesbrough, England (1978 – present)
Christopher Anton Rea (pronounced Ree-ah), born 4 March 1951, is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Middlesbrough, England.
Rea’s recording career began in 1978. Although he almost immediately had a US hit single with “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)”, Rea’s initial focus was 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. Follow up albums On The Beach and Dancing With Strangers became UK hits and then the New Light Through Old Windows compilation album in 1988 cemented his reputation. 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. These successes could not be mirrored in the U.S., however, where it failed to chart. The follow-up album, Auberge, also enjoyed massive European success, reaching the top spot in the UK.
After Auberge
After ‘Auberge’ Chris Rea released ‘God’s Great Banana Skin’ which managed to reach Number 4 in the UK. The album returned Rea to the rockier sound of ‘Road To Hell’ and the single ‘Nothing To Fear’ gave him another Top 20 hit. A year later ‘Espresso Logic’ hit the Top 10 and ‘Julia’, written about his second daughter, gave him his 11th Top 40. A period of ill health meant his next album did not appear until 1998. Despite no singles being released and little promotion, ‘The Blue Cafe’ still made the UK Top 10. However it proved to be Rea’s last. In 1999, 10 years after ‘Road To Hell’ Rea released ‘Road To Hell’ Part 2. Many felt Rea had begun to lose his way, the album received no promotion and as a result never made the Top 40.
Rea’s recording career began in 1978. Although he almost immediately had a US hit single with “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)”, Rea’s initial focus was 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. Follow up albums On The Beach and Dancing With Strangers became UK hits and then the New Light Through Old Windows compilation album in 1988 cemented his reputation. 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. These successes could not be mirrored in the U.S., however, where it failed to chart. The follow-up album, Auberge, also enjoyed massive European success, reaching the top spot in the UK.
After Auberge
After ‘Auberge’ Chris Rea released ‘God’s Great Banana Skin’ which managed to reach Number 4 in the UK. The album returned Rea to the rockier sound of ‘Road To Hell’ and the single ‘Nothing To Fear’ gave him another Top 20 hit. A year later ‘Espresso Logic’ hit the Top 10 and ‘Julia’, written about his second daughter, gave him his 11th Top 40. A period of ill health meant his next album did not appear until 1998. Despite no singles being released and little promotion, ‘The Blue Cafe’ still made the UK Top 10. However it proved to be Rea’s last. In 1999, 10 years after ‘Road To Hell’ Rea released ‘Road To Hell’ Part 2. Many felt Rea had begun to lose his way, the album received no promotion and as a result never made the Top 40.
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Top Albums
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The Very Best of Chris Rea
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The Very Best Of Chris Rea 2001
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The Road to Hell Part 2
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The Road to Hell
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Shoutbox
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falling_leaf wrote:
Russia Listens to Chris Rea
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astrosapien wrote:
I first noticed him in my local music shop. The shop owner must have had a profound appreciation for him, because there was almost his whole discography. Kind of strange that I've never heard of the guy, I thought to myself. So I asked him to play a song from him, and he chose something from The Road to Hell. It didn't strike me as much back then, because I didn't even know the words, but after a while I discovered that my uncle has a decent collection of him as well, and that's when I got hooked.
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stratcat960 wrote:
fantastic singer and guitarist, seen him live many times.. also spent a lot of time in reas cafe in middlesbrough billingham and stockton in my younger days,before he hit the music scene.
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denverdale wrote:
Great!! He is so un appreciated
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Junna-Junna wrote:
my muse
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Gorj wrote:
As Long as I Have Your Love
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karrakaz01 wrote:
Saw him here in Australia in late 80's, after being a fan since 1979 & Diamonds. WOW!!! He is awesome!
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Dyint wrote:
Tickets for Santo Spirito tour are here. We are waiting he 2012.
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el__fuego wrote:
Thanks for the new great album :)
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lotharvomteich wrote:
yes, a legend, thanks my rose
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CaCoffiny wrote:
@PerfectCell33 yeah, perfect choice
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jump29 wrote:
nice!
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vilperii wrote:
TRTH is only one of his brilliant albums, i suggest you listen to some other ones as well.
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PerfectCell33 wrote:
I decided to listen to The Road to Hell...good choice?
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Bochyto wrote:
one of te BEST
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MourningMoon wrote:
Very.. I mean VERY.. underrated.
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Karisha5 wrote:
Take me back to the place, that i know... on the beach.
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Froggl wrote:
Its fantastic that you come next year.We hope you have a good time her in Germany !!!
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Last_in_Line wrote:
The new album is just.. I have to say I didn't expect this. I'm totally blown away. It's blues, and it's rock, and it's so much more. It ranks right up there with Road to Hell, Auberge, The Blue Jukebox. A true and complete masterpiece. Thank you, Chris!
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BiGoKs wrote:
awesome
Videos
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Play
Driving Home For Christmas…
2 shouts
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Play
Superfunk ft. Ron Carrol -…
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Play
"True Love"
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Play
"Ace of Hearts"
Events
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Feb
11
Chris Rea
СК "Спорт-Дон", Ростов-На-Дону, Russian Federation
6 going
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Feb
13
Chris Rea
National Palace "Ukraine", Kiev, Ukraine
7 going
3 shouts
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Feb
15
Chris Rea
Papp László Budapest Sportaréna, Budapest, Hungary
2 going
Listening Now
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Recent Activity
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svemae, brnaltan, lemmy1812 and 41 other people added Chris Rea to their libraries. yesterday evening
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pcholody wrote about Chris Rea in Seen Live (last update: 06.02.2012) (137). Monday afternoon
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MatthewS1408, barisgerceker, zeep1 and 5 other people added Chris Rea to their libraries. Monday afternoon
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Simargle tagged Chris Rea with harmonica, blues rock, hard rock and 3 other tags. Sunday evening
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worfur, larrakoperez and 5 other people added Chris Rea to their libraries. Sunday evening
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LazarusLong tagged Chris Rea with male, guitar and singer-songwriter. Sunday morning
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and 27 other people added Chris Rea to their libraries. Sunday morning
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Dunnemin wrote about Chris Rea – On the Beach in MY ALBUM TOP 250. October 2011
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Timitzi updated the wiki page for The Road to Hell. (diff) September 2010
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Timitzi created the wiki page for The Road to Hell. September 2010
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