Lightnin Strikes Me Again Del Shannon
| Lou Christie | |
|---|---|
 Lou Christie in 1966 | |
| Background information | |
| Nascency name | Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco[1] |
| Born | (1943-02-19) Feb 19, 1943 |
| Origin | Glenwillard, Pennsylvania, United States[i] |
| Genres | Pop, soft stone, pop rock |
| Occupation(southward) | Singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 1962–present |
| Labels | Roulette, Colpix, MGM, Columbia, Buddah |
| Associated acts | The Tammys |
Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco (born February 19, 1943), known professionally as Lou Christie, is an American soft rock singer-songwriter known for several pop rock hits in the 1960s, including his 1966 US chart-topper "Lightnin' Strikes" and 1969 Uk number-two "I'm Gonna Brand You Mine".
Biography [edit]
Early life and career [edit]
Christie was built-in Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco on February xix, 1943, in Glenwillard, Pennsylvania,[1] and grew up in suburban Pittsburgh. While attending Moon Area High Schoolhouse, he studied music and phonation, served every bit student conductor of the choir and sang solos at vacation concerts. His instructor, Frank Cummings, wanted him to pursue a career in classical music, but Sacco wanted to cut a record to get on American Bandstand. At age 15 he met and befriended Twyla Herbert, a classically trained musician 20 years his senior, who became his regular songwriting partner and wrote hundreds of songs with him over the next xxx years until her death in 2009. Sacco performed with several vocal groups and betwixt 1959 and 1962 released several records on small Pittsburgh labels, achieving a local hit with "The Jury" past Lugee & The Lions (a grouping consisting of Sacco, Twyla Herbert's daughter Shirley, and two others) released on the Robbee label.[2] [three] After graduating from high school in 1961, Sacco traveled to New York Metropolis and worked equally a session vocalist.
In 1962,[four] Sacco approached Nick Cenci with some demo tapes. One of the get-go things Cenci did was change the proper name Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco to Lou Christie. Cenci told Sacco that there was only ane great Italian vocaliser and that he had to modify his name. Sacco's father liked the name change, because information technology had "Christ" in it.
Cenci liked Sacco'due south falsetto voice and suggested that he listen to the Iv Seasons' contempo striking "Sherry". Sacco and Herbert used the song equally a model to write an original song chosen "The Gypsy Cried". Cenci produced a recording of Sacco performing the song at Gateway Studio in Pittsburgh and initially released it on his ain C & C label equally a single in 1962, credited to "Lou Christie", the proper noun Sacco used thereafter.[5] The name "Lou Christie" was chosen past C & C Records, and "The Gypsy Cried" was credited to "Lou Christie" before they had consulted with Sacco virtually the name.[5]
"The Gypsy Cried" became a regional hit, selling 30,000 copies in Pittsburgh. Cenci contacted Morris Levy of Roulette Records, proverb that he had a hitting that needed national distribution. Levy released the single on Roulette, but initially nothing happened. Airplay slowly spread across the country, and "The Gypsy Cried" reached number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, selling over i million copies. Cenci produced additional recording sessions for Christie in 1963 that generated two more hits. "Two Faces Have I", his second million-seller, reached number 6 on the chart in June 1963.[6] [7] Roulette released an album of 12 Lou Christie / Twyla Herbert songs in 1963 that reached 124 on the Billboard 200. With those hits, Christie joined Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars Bout.
During this pre-Army phase of his career, the female vocalists featured on Christie'south records were The Tammys, a trio from Pleasantville, Venango County, Pennsylvania. Christie and Herbert wrote the single "Egyptian Shumba" for the group, and although it was non a hit, information technology became a cult favorite in the Northern Soul scene in the early on 1970s.
Christie made numerous TV appearances on Where the Activeness Is (1965–1967), and also appeared on American Bandstand and The Buddy Deane Show (1962–1964) in Baltimore. He also sang with Del Shannon.
Christie's tertiary Roulette release, "How Many Teardrops" (written past Milan), stalled at No. 46 as Christie's career was temporarily batty by his consecration into the U.s.a. Army. Christie did not accept another charting single for two and a half years.[4]
"Lightnin' Strikes" and "Rhapsody In The Rain": 1965–1966 [edit]
Christie's career was chop-chop re-established afterward his discharge from the military machine when he signed with the MGM label. MGM reportedly disliked Christie's start single for the label, the Christie-Herbert song "Lightnin' Strikes". Just Christie's new direction promoted the record in California, and when it gained some traction (eventually reaching No. 2 on KHJ the last two weeks of 1965), MGM released it. "Lightnin' Strikes" reached #1 in the US on Christie's 23rd altogether on Feb nineteen, 1966, entered the UK Elevation 20, condign his commencement hit in that country, and peaked at #one in Canada. The song featured his signature falsetto and included a female person chorus (Bernadette Carroll, Denise Ferri, and Peggy Santiglia) shouting "Stop!" in counterpoint to the lead song:
- When I come across lips begging to be kissed (Stop!)
- I tin't cease, (Terminate!) no I tin can't end myself! (Cease! End!)
Christie'southward next release in the spring of 1966, "Rhapsody in the Pelting", featured a melody inspired by Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet", telling of a teenager'due south memory of his sexual experience in the back seat of a motorcar during a rainstorm as the windshield wipers fabricated a rhythmic audio of "together, together".[8] After, after the romance ends, the wipers seem to say "never, never".[8] Many radio stations banned the vocal after hearing the opening lyrics:
- Baby, the raindrops play for me
- Our lovely rhapsody, 'cause on our first appointment
- We were makin' out in the rain.
- And in this machine, our dearest went much too far
- Information technology was exciting equally thunder
- Tonight I wonder, where y'all are?
MGM insisted on a re-recorded version that toned downward the lyrical content. The third and fourth lines were changed to:
- Nosotros fell in love in the rain
- And in this machine, dear came like a shooting star
Despite the edited version, many radio stations instead played ii older songs re-released by other labels for which Christie had once recorded: "Outside the Gates of Heaven" (on Co & Ce Records) peaked at #45, while "Big Time" (on Colpix Records) hit #95. All three singles hit nationally inside 3 weeks of one another, in March 1966, while "Lightnin' Strikes" was falling downward the chart.
Resurgence: 1969–1970 [edit]
After being dropped by MGM and an unfruitful stint with Columbia Records in the late 1960s, Christie teamed upward with Buddah Records (a move prompted past his business director Stan Polley) and bubblegum music record producer Tony Romeo and had a surprise Wall of Sound constant uptempo hit "I'm Gonna Make Yous Mine" (which Romeo wrote) in the early autumn of 1969. Helped by backing vocalist Linda Scott and past 2 promotional videos distinctly different from each other, the song peaked at No. 10 in the US, but climbed to No. 2 on the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland Singles Chart and thus became his biggest striking at that place.
A follow up, "She Sold Me Magic", charted only in the UK, peaking at No. 25,[9] and was subsequently covered by Elton John.[10] Conversely, "Are You Getting Any Sunshine?" only charted in America, where information technology reached No. 73.[seven]
Later career: 1971–present [edit]
Christie spent the early 1970s betwixt London and New York Metropolis. In 1971 he released a concept album called Paint America Love, regarded past some as his best LP,[11] and married former UK dazzler queen Francesca Winfield in London.
In 1974, Christie tried a new musical style, going country on his album Lou Christie. This album is also known unofficially every bit Across the Blue Horizon after its all-time known track,[12] a encompass of a hit song from 1930 written for the pic Monte Carlo. The song missed the State charts and just fabricated No. fourscore on the pop nautical chart but managed No. 12 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The song has been used in several film soundtracks, including 1988's Pelting Human.[13]
In the spring of 1978 Christie returned home to Pittsburgh to caput the upstart record Label 2001 records, a branch of the 2001 and VIP nightclubs nationwide. While visiting local friends at the Staircase Lounge, Christie heard a local grouping, Sweetness Breeze, and loved the ring'southward harmonies and music. Christie signed the band Sugariness Breeze to their get-go recording contract and the band recorded a vocal written by Christie and Herbert chosen "Summer in Malibu" that was a regional hit for the band.
Christie became active on the oldies circuit starting in the early 1980s, scoring a final U.s. chart hitting, credited as "Summer '81 Medley" past The Cantina Band (featuring Lou Christie), in 1981, performing a medley of Embankment Boys classics.
In 1986, he recorded a duet with Lesley Gore of a medley of "Since I Don't Take Yous"/"It's Just Brand Believe" for Manhattan Records, a division of EMI-America. The 2 singers were touring together at the time, and the song was released merely equally a one-off single.
Christie was credited every bit special music collaborator on the movie Barcelona, released in 1994. He and Marker Suozzo wrote a song, "Breakin' Upwards", which Christie performed and which was included in the soundtrack album for the film.
In 1997, Christie recorded his get-go all-new anthology since the 1970s, entitled Pledging My Beloved and produced by Alan Grossman & Jimm Mosher of Hit Music Studio in Spencer, Due north Carolina. Billboard labeled this new album "Nigh Impressive Comeback" album.[xiv] Most of it was penned by Christie, presented in a contemporary fashion, and included the songs "What Happened to the Nights", "Techno Pop" (a diatribe about the loss of communication in our lives), and "I Sure Fell in Dear" and covers of the Critters' "Mr. Dieingly Deplorable" and Johnny Ace's championship melody. Cub Koda said it was "loaded with AOR hits".[15]
In 2004, Christie released his starting time concert album, Greatest Hits Live From The Bottom Line, which featured studio recording "Christmas In New York" equally a bonus runway. In addition to the occasional new release, Christie remains a concert human action on the oldies circuit in the US and UK. He has likewise hosted a series of programs on SiriusXM radio for the 1960s channel. In 2015, Christie released his first new recording in several years, entitled "Drive In Dreams", written by Gregory Scharpf, who is a erstwhile member of Sweet Breeze, the Pittsburgh-based band that Christie signed to their commencement recording contract. His next release was 2016's "When You lot Were Young", also penned by Scharpf.
Discography [edit]
Singles [edit]
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Tape Label | B-side From same anthology as A-side except where indicated | Anthology | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.s.a. | Air-conditioning | R&B | Britain | CAN | AU | |||||
| 1962 | "The Gypsy Cried" | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | Roulette Records | "Red Sails in the Sunset" (Non-LP track) | Lou Christie |
| 1963 | "Ii Faces Have I" | six | — | 11 | — | — | xx | "All That Glitters Isn't Gold" | ||
| "How Many Teardrops" | 46 | — | — | — | — | 79 | "You lot and I (Accept a Right to Cry)" | |||
| "Shy Male child" | 119 | — | — | — | — | — | "It Can Happen" | Not-LP tracks | ||
| 1964 | "Stay" | — | — | — | — | — | — | "There They Go" (Not-LP track) | Lou Christie | |
| "Guitars and Bongos" | 123 | — | — | — | — | — | Colpix Records | "Merry-Go-Circular" (Non-LP rail) | Lou Christie Strikes Once more | |
| "Have I Sinned" | — | — | — | — | — | — | "Pot of Gold" | |||
| 1965 | "Why Did You Do It Infant" | — | — | — | — | — | — | "Brand Summer Last Forever" | ||
| "A Teenager in Beloved" | — | — | — | — | — | — | "Dorsum Track" | |||
| "Lightnin' Strikes" | 1 | — | — | eleven | i | 9 | MGM Records | "Cryin' in the Streets" | Lightnin' Strikes | |
| 1966 | "Outside the Gates of Sky" | 45 | — | — | — | 32 | — | Co & Ce Records | "All That Glitters Isn't Golden" | Non-LP tracks |
| "Big Time" | 95 | — | — | — | — | — | Colpix Records | "Cryin' on My Knees" | Lou Christie Strikes Again | |
| "Rhapsody in the Rain" | 16 | — | — | 37 | 10 | twoscore | MGM Records | "Trapeze" (from Lightnin' Strikes) | Painter of Hits | |
| "Painter" | 81 | — | — | — | threescore | — | "Du Ronda" | |||
| "If My Car Could Only Talk" | 118 | — | — | — | — | — | "Song of Lita" | Not-LP tracks | ||
| "Since I Don't Take Yous" | 118 | — | — | — | 71 | — | "Wild Life's in Season" | Painter of Hits | ||
| 1967 | "Shake Hands and Walk Away Cryin'" | 95 | — | — | — | — | — | Columbia Records | "Escape" | Non-LP tracks |
| "Self Expression (The Kids on the Street Will Never Give In)" | — | — | — | — | — | — | "Back to the Days of the Romans" | |||
| "Gina" | — | — | — | — | — | — | "Escape" | |||
| "Don't Stop Me (Jump Off the Edge of Dear)" | — | — | — | — | — | — | "Back to the Days of the Romans" | |||
| 1968 | "Genesis and the Third Poesy" | — | — | — | — | — | — | Buddah Records | "Rake Up the Leaves" | |
| "Canterbury Road" | — | — | — | — | — | — | "Saints of Aquarius" | |||
| 1969 | "I'g Gonna Make Yous Mine" | x | — | — | 2 | 5 | 28 | "I'grand Gonna Get Married" | I'one thousand Gonna Make You Mine | |
| "Are You Getting Whatsoever Sunshine?" | 73 | — | — | — | 56 | — | "It'll Take Time" | |||
| 1970 | "Beloved Is Over" | — | — | — | — | — | — | "She Sold Me Magic" (from I'm Gonna Make You Mine) (#25 UK) (#vii JP) | Not-LP tracks | |
| "Indian Lady" | 106 | 39 | — | — | — | 89 | "Glory River" | |||
| 1971 | "Lighthouse" | — | — | — | — | — | — | "Waco" | Pigment America Dearest | |
| 1973 | "Beyond the Blue Horizon" | 80 | 12 | — | — | 57 | — | 3 Brothers Records | "Saddle the Wind" | Lou Christie |
| 1974 | "Expert Mornin'/Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" | — | — | — | — | — | — | "You Were the 1" | ||
| 1975 | "Summer Days" | — | — | — | — | — | — | Slipped Disc Records | "The Ane and But Original Sunshine Kid" | Non-LP tracks |
| 1976 | "Riding in My Van" | — | — | — | — | — | — | Ballsy Records | "Summer in Malibu" | |
| "You're Gonna Make Love to Me" | — | — | — | — | — | — | Midland International Records | "Fantasies" | ||
| 1977 | "Spanish Wine" | — | — | — | — | — | — | "Dancing in the Sand" | ||
| 1986 | Lou Christie/Lesley Gore "Since I Don't Have Y'all"/"Information technology'southward Just Make Believe" | — | — | — | — | — | — | Manhattan Records | "Our Love Was Meant To Be" | |
| 1990 | Lou Christie/Pia Zadora "Don't Knock My Honey" (shortVersion) | — | — | — | — | — | — | Midsong Records | "Don't Knock My Love" (LongVersion) | |
Albums [edit]
- Lou Christie (Roulette, 1963)
- Lou Christie Strikes Once again (Colpix, 1964)
- Lightning Strikes (MGM, 1965)
- Painter of Hits (MGM, 1966)
- I'g Gonna Brand Yous Mine (Buddah, 1969)
- Paint America Beloved (Buddah, 1971)
- Lou Christie (Three Brothers, 1974)
- Lou Christie Does Detroit (51 West, 1982)
- Pledging My Love (Varese Sarabande, 1997)
- Greatest Hits Live from the Bottom Line (Varese Sarabande, 2004)
- The Turquoise Trail (LightningStrikes, 2012)
- Summer in Malibu (LightningStrikes, 2015)[16]
Collections [edit]
- Rhapsody in the Grooves: His Finest Recordings 1962–1969 (Raven LP, 1984)
- EnLightnin'ment—The Best of Lou Christie (Rhino, 1990)
- Greatest Hits Vol. 1 (LightningStrikes, 1993)
- Glory River—The Buddah Years 1968–1972 (Sequel, 1994)
- Beyond The Blue Horizon: More than of the All-time (Varese Sarabande, 1994)
- Greatest Hits Vol. ii (LightningStrikes, 1997)
- Egyptian Shumba: Singles & Rare Recordings 1962–64 (due west/The Tammys) (RPM, 2001)
- Original Sinner: The Very All-time of the MGM Recordings (RPM, 2004)
- Studio 102 Essentials (Studio 102, 2008)
References [edit]
- ^ a b c "Biography by Jason Ankeny". Allmusic.com. Retrieved January 20, 2009.
- ^ Leszczak, Bob. (2014). Encyclopedia of Popular Music Aliases, 1950–2000, Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 62–63. Accessed July 24, 2016.
- ^ "Reviews and Ratings of New Records", Billboard, April 17, 1961. p. 32. Accessed July 24, 2016.
- ^ a b "Lou Christie – Pittsburgh Music History". Retrieved July 12, 2015.
- ^ a b Bronson, Fred. (2003). The Billboard Book of Number I Hits, Billboard Books. p. 193. Accessed July 24, 2016.
- ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 157. ISBN0-214-20512-six.
- ^ a b Lou Christie – Chart History – The Hot 100, Billboard.com. Accessed July 24, 2016.
- ^ a b "Rhapsody In The Rain (lyrics)". Top40db.net. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ Lou Christie – Full Official Nautical chart History, Official Charts Company. Accessed July 24, 2016.
- ^ "Legendary Covers as Sung by Elton John – Elton John". AllMusic. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
- ^ "Lou Christie Sacco "Paint America Dear" 1971 | Rising Tempest Review". Therisingstorm.internet. March 30, 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ^ ""Three Brothers Album Discography" by David Edwards and Mike Callahan". bsnpubs.com. Retrieved December three, 2020.
- ^ Cater, Darryl. "Hans Zimmer – Rain Man (Original Motility Picture Soundtrack)". AllMusic. AllMusic, Netaktion LLC. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
- ^ "The Year in Music", Billboard, December 27, 1997. p. YE-83. Accessed July 24, 2016.
- ^ "AllMusic Review by Cub Koda: Pledging My Love by Lou Christie". Allmusic website. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
- ^ Microsoft Music Database fai.music.metaservices.microsoft.com
External links [edit]
- Official website
- Lou Christie & The Tammys Egyptian Shumba Dwelling Page
- Lou Christie Twitter
- Bio at Yahoo! Music
- Bio at ClassicBands.com
- Lou Christie: Lightning is Still Striking, author – Linda Alexander
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Christie
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