This week, Ira spoke with Lou Christie.
Lou Christie, who will be headlining at the Suncoast Showroom on New Year’s weekend, December 29 and 30, began his chart topping, multi-million selling career as a songwriter, recording artist, and performer in a two-track studio in Glenwillard, Pennsylvania. It was 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, followed by 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.
Highlights from Lou’s performing career include appearances on “Dick Clark’s Caravan Of Stars,” sharing 72 consecutive one-nighters with Diana Ross and the Supremes, and a command performance for Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family. Lou has shared the stage with many of the greats of Rock ‘n’ Roll including The Rolling Stones, The Who, Neil Diamond, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Little Richard.
Lou had an effect on music legends Elton John, John Lennon, and Madonna.. Elton John played piano for Lou during Lou’s ‘London Period’ in the early 70’s and recorded Lou’s song, “She Sold Me Magic.” John Lennon repeatedly pointed out in his interviews that “Lou Christie was one of my influences,” and Madonna thanked Lou in the liner notes of her ten-million selling “Immaculate Collection” LP.
