Who Chris Rea Was
Chris Rea was an English rock and blues singer‑songwriter and guitarist, instantly recognisable for his gravelly voice and soulful slide‑guitar tone. He was born in Middlesbrough in 1951 and became a major European star long before breaking into the UK Top 10 with The Road to Hell (Part 2).
Chris Rea
- Born: 4 March 1951, Middlesbrough
- Died: 22 December 2025, aged 74
- Signature songs: Driving Home for Christmas, The Road to Hell, Fool (If You Think It’s Over)
- Style: Pop rock, soft rock, electric blues, blues rock
- Career: 25 studio albums, two UK No.1 albums (The Road to Hell, Auberge)
His Death
Chris Rea passed away on 22 December 2025 following a short illness, surrounded by family. Tributes have poured in from musicians, comedians, and fans worldwide, with many noting the poignancy of his passing so close the Yuletide festivities — the season when Driving Home for Christmas returns to the charts every year.
Why he mattered
Rea had a rare combination of tone, feel, and storytelling. His slide playing is instantly identifiable, and his songwriting blends blues authenticity with radio‑friendly hooks — a balance few artists ever manage. His music has become part of the cultural fabric of winter in the UK, but his catalogue goes far deeper than the Christmas classic.
A rundown of Chris Rea’s guitars, he had a surprisingly iconic and personal relationship with his instruments, especially his Strats.
Chris Rea’s Guitars
(with citations from your search results)
His Most Famous Guitar: “Pinkey”
- A Fender Stratocaster, believed to be a 1962 model.
- Covered in stickers, with a duct‑tape pick holder stuck to the body.
- This is the guitar most associated with his slide work and his signature tone.
Other Key Guitars
1976 Fender Stratocaster Hardtail (Sunburst)
- Purchased new by Rea around 1977 from Hamilton’s Music Store in Middlesbrough.
- One‑piece ash body, maple neck, three‑tone sunburst finish.
- Used extensively in his early recording career.
- Recently sold at auction via Gardiner Houlgate on behalf of his former guitarist Dave Burton.
General Gear Notes
From the gear listings and interviews:
- Rea is known for preferring tube amps, including the Fender Blues Junior III.
- His guitar collection includes multiple Strats, resonators, and slide‑friendly setups, though the search results specifically highlight the two above.
Why Strats Worked for Him
Chris Rea’s slide tone is warm, vocal, and fluid — Strats with their:
- Long scale length,
- Bright single coils,
- Comfortable contours,
…made them perfect for his expressive, blues‑infused playing.
Full Album List
(Studio albums from the official discography + later releases)
Studio Albums (from Wikipedia’s discography)
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1978 | Whatever Happened to Benny Santini? |
| 1979 | Deltics |
| 1980 | Tennis |
| 1982 | Chris Rea |
| 1983 | Water Sign |
| 1984 | Wired to the Moon |
| 1985 | Shamrock Diaries |
| 1986 | On the Beach |
| 1987 | Dancing with Strangers |
| 1989 | The Road to Hell |
| 1991 | Auberge |
| 1992 | God’s Great Banana Skin |
| 1993 | Espresso Logic |
| 1996 | La Passione |
| 1998 | The Blue Café |
| 1999 | The Road to Hell: Part 2 |
| 2000 | King of the Beach |
| 2002 | Dancing Down the Stony Road |
| 2003 | Blue Street (Five Guitars) |
| 2003 | Hofner Blue Notes |
| 2004 | The Blue Jukebox |
| 2005 | Blue Guitars (11‑disc project) |
| 2008 | The Return of the Fabulous Hofner Bluenotes |
| 2011 | Santo Spirito Blues |
| 2017 | Road Songs for Lovers |
| 2019 | One Fine Day |
Popular Compilations
- The Very Best of Chris Rea (2001)
- Still So Far to Go: The Best of Chris Rea (2009)
- New Light Through Old Windows (1988)
- The Works (2007)
Notable Projects
- Blue Guitars (2005) — 11 themed blues albums in one box set
- Santo Spirito Blues (2011) — album + documentary films