Overview

• Lou Christie passed away on June 17 at his Pittsburgh residence following a brief illness, his wife Francesca told The Hollywood Reporter.
• Born Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco in Glenwillard, Pennsylvania, Christie teamed with Twyla Herbert to pen early hits like “The Gypsy Cried” and “Two Faces Have I.”
• His 1966 single “Lightnin’ Strikes” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and “Rhapsody in the Rain” hit the Top 20 despite being banned by some stations for its suggestive lyrics.
• Christie continued to record and tour into his 80s, releasing his final album in 2004 and performing as recently as 2023.
• He is survived by his wife, Francesca, and daughter Bianca; his son Christopher died in a motorcycle crash in 2014.