We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Lou Christie.

A social media post from his family on Christie’s Facebook page on Wednesday, June 18 noted, “It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of our beloved brother, Lou Christie, who left us after a brief illness.

Lou Christie’s chart topping, multi-million selling career as a songwriter, recording artist, and performer started in a two-track studio in Glenwillard Pennsylvania, his rural hometown near Pittsburgh. Lou’s first million selling song, THE GYPSY CRIED, transformed a local choirboy, Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco, into LOU CHRISTIE – national teen idol, while still a teenager himself.

Over the decade of the 1960’s Lou followed success with greater success. TWO FACES HAVE I was his next big hit featuring his stratospheric falsetto. LOU forever embedded himself and his uniquely talented voice into America’s consciousness with his number 1 multi-million selling success LIGHTNING STRIKES. LOU’S chart topping success continued with two more million selling hits, RHAPSODY IN THE RAIN and I’M GONNA MAKE YOU MINE. RHAPSODY’S success was fueled by the fact that it was the first song banned on the radio due to its suggestive lyrics.

Our sincere condolences to the family.