Chris Rea was an English rock and blues singer-songwriter and guitarist. Known for his distinctive voice and his slide guitar playing, Rea recorded 25 studio albums, two of which topped the UK Albums Chart, The Road to Hell in 1989 and its successor, Auberge, in 1991. He had already become “a major European star by the time he finally cracked the UK Top 10” with the single “The Road to Hell (Part 2)”. 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”.
Personal Life
Birthday / Date of Birth
He was born on the 4th of March 1951, in Middlesbrough, England.
| Birth Name | Christopher Anton Rea |
| Nickname | Chris |
| Date of Birth | 4th of March 1951 |
| Place of Birth | Middlesbrough, England |
| Died | On the 22nd of December 2025 (aged 74), in Middlesbrough, England (a short illness) |
| Sun Sign | Pisces |
| Profession | Singer-songwriter, Musician, Record Producer |
| Nationality | British |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Genre
Pop Rock, Soft Rock, Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Instruments
Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Labels
Magnet, East West, Edel, Warner, Rhino, Jazzee Blue
Education
Rea attended St. Mary’s Roman Catholic School in Middlesbrough, England, where he first discovered his passion for music. After completing his early schooling, Rea pursued further education at local technical college in Middlesbrough, focusing on art and design, which complemented his creative inclinations. His early exposure to both music and visual arts helped shape his distinctive style and approach to songwriting and album artwork.
Family Details
- Father – Camillo Rea
- Mother – Winifred K. Slee
- Siblings – He has six siblings.
Marital Status
Married
Girlfriend / Spouse
Chris Rea has dated –
- Joan Lesley Allport – Rea was married to Joan Lesley, with whom he had been in a relationship since they met as teenagers on 6 April 1968 in their native Middlesbrough. They had two daughters.
Physical Statistics
| Height |
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| Weight |
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| Body Measurements |
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| Body Build | Slim |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Shoe Size | 9 (US) |
| Dress Size | N/A |
| Sexuality | Straight |
Professional Statistics
Famous For
Chris is renowned for his unique blend of rock and blues, soulful vocals, and emotive guitar playing, which have made him a standout figure in British music for over four decades. He is celebrated for crafting timeless songs such as Josephine, Let’s Dance, and Working on It, earning critical acclaim, multiple awards, and a lasting legacy as a pioneering songwriter and performer whose influence continues to inspire musicians worldwide.
Singing Debut
In the late 1970s, Chris began his professional music career releasing his debut single Fool (If You Think It’s Over) in 1978. The song became a hit in the United States and earned him a Grammy nomination, marking an impressive start to his international music career. His unique husky voice, emotive lyrics, and blend of rock and blues quickly gained attention, setting the stage for his long-lasting success as a singer-songwriter.
Chris Rea Net worth
Chris Rea has an estimated net worth of $8 million dollars as of 2025.
Social Media Profiles
- Facebook – Chris Rea
- Instagram – chrisreamusic
- YouTube Channel – Chris Rea
Some Lesser Known Facts About Chris Rea
- Rea’s full name is Christopher Anton Rea. He was born in Middlesborough to Irish and Italian parents and grew up in a musically supportive environment.
- Rea bought his first guitar in his early twenties, a 1961 Höfner V3 and 25-watt Laney amplifier. He played primarily “bottleneck” guitar, also known as slide guitar.
- Before achieving fame, he played in local bands and pubs in Middlesbrough, honing his performance skills.
- His early influences include blues and rock legends, which shaped his unique fusion of blues, soft rock, and pop.
- He never toured the United States, where he was 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.
- He was nominated for the Brit Award for British Male Solo Artist in 1988, 1989 and 1990.
- The lead single, “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)“, was Rea’s biggest hit in the US, reaching No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary Singles chart, and No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- As Rea gave Magnet Records its first major breakthrough and its first US Top-10, he was their biggest artist, the more so when he was nominated at the 21st Annual Grammy Awards as Best New Artist.
- Rea has been recognized with multiple Brit Awards nominations and other European music honors.
- His tenth studio album was his major breakthrough. The Road to Hell (1989) enjoyed massive success and became his first No. 1 album in the UK, being certified 6× Platinum by the BPI in 2004.
- Rea has faced long gaps between albums due to health issues, but he has consistently returned with critically acclaimed work.
- He is a multi-instrumentalist, playing guitar, piano, and harmonica on many of his recordings.
- His song “Driving Home for Christmas” has become a perennial holiday favorite in the UK and internationally.
- Rea was the lead actor in the 1999 comedy film Parting Shots, alongside Felicity Kendal, John Cleese, Bob Hoskins and Joanna Lumley.
- In September 2017, Chris released his twenty-fourth album, Road Songs for Lovers, and embarked on a European tour starting in October until December.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Chris Rea?
He was an award-winning English musician and composer whose influential career spans over four decades, recognized for his soulful vocals, evocative songwriting, and iconic guitar-driven tracks, including The Road to Hell and Josephine, establishing him as one of the most respected and enduring figures in British and international music.
What is the real name of Chris Rea?
His real name is Christopher Anton Rea.
What is the age of Chris Rea?
He is 74 years old (4th of March 1951).
What is Chris Rea Height?
The Height of Chris is 1.71m (5′7½”).
What is Chris Rea Weight?
The Weight of Rea is 70 kg (154 lbs).
What is the Net worth of Chris Rea?
He has an estimated net worth of $8 million dollars as of 2025.
Why is Chris Rea Famous?
He is famous for his internationally acclaimed hit songs such as The Road to Hell, On the Beach, Josephine, and the perennial Christmas favorite Driving Home for Christmas, as well as for his distinctive husky voice, masterful guitar playing, and multi-platinum albums, which have earned him critical acclaim, numerous awards, and a lasting reputation as one of the UK’s most respected and influential rock and blues musicians.