Singer Lou Christie, who had major hits including Lightnin’ Strikes’ and Rhapsody in the Rain, died at the age of 82 on Wednesday.

Christie’s spouse Francesca told The Hollywood Reporter that the singer died at his Pittsburgh home after battling a brief sickness.

The singer-songwriter reached the apex of his professional success in 1966 with the singles Lightnin’ Strikes’ and Rhapsody in the Rain.

Lightnin’ Strikes’ made it to the top spot on that Billboard Top 100 while Rhapsody in the Rain landed in the top 20.

Before 1966, Christie experienced success with two popular singles in 1963: The Gypsy Cried and Two Faces Have I. Later on, he achieved another hit with the song I’m Gonna Make You Mine in 1969.

He wrote both tracks with the late Twyla Herbert, who he worked with for years on songs. She died in July of 2009, according to an online obit.

Singer Lou Christie, who had major hits, including lightning, strikes, and Rhapsody in the rain, died at the age of 82 on Wednesday 

In 1966, the singer-songwriter reached the peak of his career with the songs ‘Lightnin’ Strikes’ and ‘Rhapsody in the Rain’. The photo shows him in NYC in 2024.

‘Lightnin’ Strikes’ was released in December 1965 by MGM Records, as reported by THR. Just two months later, the song claimed the number one spot on the charts when Christie was 23 years old.

Charles Calello handled the arrangements, conducting and production, while The Delicates’ Bernadette Carroll, Peggy Santiglia and Denise Ferri provided backing vocals, according to the outlet.

The track – which is sung from the standpoint of a cheating partner – was analyzed in 2016 by the website Rebeat.

The magazine observed that ‘when Christie spots ‘lips begging to be kissed,’ his voice mutates into a shrill keen, completely unrecognizable from the charmer he posed as just seconds earlier.

‘The switch from his teen idol croon to the manic, eerie falsetto signifies that he has transformed into some unknown thing incapable of being controlled.’

The analysis continued: ‘His choice of words – “lightning striking me again!” – links him with the violence of a sudden, unpredictable burst of energy that burns hot and leaves destruction in its wake.

‘It also evokes the electrical flash that brought Frankenstein’s monster to life.’

Christie was pictured in 1972 seated in a field, clad in the styles of the time 

The Pittsburgh-born singer-songwriter seen onstage in 1970

Court TV personality Julie Grant said: ‘Lou Christie had the voice of an angel!’ accompanied by a picture with him 

As news spread of the singer’s passing, a number of memorials came in remembering him and his talents 

As news spread of the singer’s passing, a number of memorials came in remembering him and his talents.

‘Rest in Peace Lou Christie,’ prominent entertainment publicist Danny Deraney said on X Wednesday ‘The man had a rare four octave range which made his voice and falsetto undeniable.

‘Lightning Strikes went all the way to Number 1 in 1966 and is a banger.’

Court TV personality Julie Grant said: ‘Lou Christie had the voice of an angel!’ accompanied by a picture with him.

‘While my heart is breaking with the news of his passing, I’m so grateful to have memories that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.

‘My thoughts & prayers are with his family. Love you, Lou! #LouChristie.’

Musician Ivan Bodley wrote: ‘I’ve known Lou Christie 30 years and have played with him countless times. Always a gentleman, always professional, always singing his a** off, and always a pleasure to be around. He will be missed. RIP…’

The singer is survived by his wife Francesca, who he had wed in 1971. The vocalist and the British beauty queen were parents to daughter Bianca and late son Christopher, who died tragically at the age of 46 in a motorcycle crash 11 years ago.