Lou Christie, the falsetto-fueled pop star behind chart-topping hits like Lightnin’ Strikes and I’m Gonna Make You Mine, and a beloved West Side neighbor known for his wit, generosity and deep musical soul, died Tuesday after a brief illness. He was 82.
For decades, Lou — born Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco — called a brownstone on W47th Street overlooking Hell’s Kitchen Park home. Though his music brought him international fame, it was his quiet affection for local life that endeared him to neighbors. He was a regular commenter on W42ST stories, posting praise for Jackie Onassis’s preservation work one week and sending heartfelt notes to Sullivan Street Bakery the next.
Jeremy Driesen, Lou’s longtime friend, musical director and Hell’s Kitchen neighbor, remembered him as much more than a pop idol: “For those lucky enough to know and work with him, it was about his honesty, humanity, kindness and loyalty. He taught me showmanship, professionalism, self-respect—and how to shave. When I stepped down after 12 years as his musical director, my mother actually wrote him a letter thanking him for treating me with decency and honesty in a business that was known for neither.”
Born in Glenwillard, Pennsylvania, Lou was raised on a 100-acre farm outside Pittsburgh where he plucked chickens and sang with his mother and sister around the kitchen table. “Music was just around the house all the time,” he told Cousin Brucie in a Sirius XM interview. “I thought everyone could sing.”
He made his way to New York in the early ’60s, changed his name, and found fame with The Gypsy Cried. His signature falsetto and harmonies — layered with background vocals from his sister Amy and his lifelong writing partner Twyla Herbert — set him apart from his peers. “I never wanted to cut a record and sound like someone else,” Lou said. “I wanted to make records that were unique.”
He did just that. Two Faces Have I, Rhapsody in the Rain (briefly banned for its racy lyrics), and the 1966 chart-topping Lightnin’ Strikes cemented his place in pop history. The scrapbook he kept on his website shows a man who traveled the world, rubbed shoulders with the likes of David Bowie, Princess Margaret and Billy J Kramer, and yet remained grounded in the music that shaped him.
In later years, Lou stayed active in the oldies circuit, toured with Dick Fox’s Golden Boys alongside Frankie Avalon and Fabian, and released new music well into his 70s. He credited his Italian roots and Twyla’s influence for his operatic, emotionally charged style. “Every time I sing one of our songs,” he said, “she’s still with me.”
Lou Christie’s voice may have soared from radios across the world, but his heart remained rooted in Hell’s Kitchen — where a neighborhood now mourns a neighbor, artist and friend.
More Hell’s Kitchen nostalgia
He is survived by members of the Sacco family, who shared in a statement: “He was cherished not only by his family and close friends, but also by countless fans whose lives he touched with his kindness and generosity, artistic and musical talent, humor and spirit… He will be greatly missed, always remembered and forever loved.”
Thank you so much for this. It’s all so very true. Lou was the ultimate gentleman, in spite of his stardom.I am so very sad today to hear of Lou’s passing. We live on the same block we’ve been friends for years and he’s going to be missed by me very much. Thank you.
I first met Lou in 2001 at, of all places, CBGB. I was playing with Church Of Betty and Jayne County for a benefit show for Cyrinda Foxe, who he was friends with. At one point during our conversation, he mentioned that he still sang Lightning Strikes in the original key. A few weeks later, I saw him perform on one of those oldies shows on PBS an I’ll be damned if he didn’t sing it the original key. Loved running into him fairly often in Hell’s Kitchen. A super sweet soul, who would often briefly stop a conversation he was having, just to say hi if he saw me walking past as he sat outside at Le Marseille. Cheers to Lou! May his spirit Rest In Peace, indeed.
He was one of the defining elements of my teens.
Lou was my neighbor for 40 years, and working on Broadway he would sit and converse about showbiz everytime we would bump into each other. True mensch and kindness the world needs now!! Rip 🙏 Lou Christie
This is such sad news. Lou was a friend, neighbor — someone who will be sorely missed. He was a very kind and unassuming guy who kept his fame pretty much to himself.
So many memories … from helping kick drug dealers off the block in the 80’s, to supporting the block association, talking politics and to just having great conversations with Lou. I am so glad to have known him.
Rest in peace, my friend.
He will be missed. Loved his music.
Lou was my friend and I will really miss him. We didn’t see each other much but I always kept him in my heart. Now that he’s gone I feel as if I’ll be next. 🙁
As a bouncer & bartender in a Milwaukee WI night spot w/live music & dance floors, Lou Christie was the first nationally known recording artist we booked in 1966 for a weekend of performances. Lou was a huge success! As a result, the popular jam-packed venue, Monreal’s, went on to present national talent 2 or 3 weekends monthly for years, booking Johnny Tilloton, Dick and Dee Dee, The Hollywood Argyles, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and many many more!
Lou Christie set the pace for us! Thank you to Mr. Christie!!
A good friend and fellow class mate in moon. I will always remember meeting him after concerts in his dressing room. His music was one of a kind which me and many others enjoyed. his music is always played on our local station in Newton Nc. He will be missed by all.l.
We went to a big Oldies concert in Madison Square Garden in the 80s. I think the closing act was Little Richard — however, Lou’s earlier performance had been such a crowd pleaser, insistent chants of “Lou!”, “Lou!, “Lou!” required an encore. From what I have heard, this was not popular with Little Richard — but the crowd went wild for Lou’s rendition of “Mickey’s Monkey”. He was an explosive performer — RIP.
Being Lou’s brother, I can say that he truly loved hell’s kitchen and the people.
In that area. He would be happy to know that they just painted the side of his building.
With a mural of flowers. Thank you hell’s kitchen
Pete, please reach out to me. It’s Beth Wolfe ,here in Pittsburgh.
bethwhaby@gmail.com
I am devastated beyond words. Only found out this afternoon and haven’t stopped crying
One of the things I love about living in Hell’s Kitchen is how residents and celebrities coexist. Lou was so down to earth, one would never know he was so famous. I always enjoyed our chats. From my rooftop, I can see Lou’s beautiful garden. Occasionally, I’d spot him up there and we’d exchange a wave. I’m really going to miss seeing him around.
My husband grew up in Hell’s Kitchen, as a altar boy and street urchin. I’ve had the great joy of meeting all his childhood friends, and they have become my brothers.
I embrace their stories, their history, their shared eccentricity — their love of the
streets. I found your site, after learning about Lou Christie’s passing. Thank you for celebrating his life and amazing talent.
I have been a fan of Lou Christie since I was 5 years old. Oh my, just a tiny little thing at his shows screaming just as big and loud as the bigger girls. You were my favorite.
My Sunday with Lou
The handsome, friendly and incredibly talented songwriter/singer-
Lou Christie changed my life.
Lou would be at my husband’s business in the city, just a quick walk from Lou’s NYC digs, when he had a project for my husband to do in his recording/media business. Often when I arrived to meet up hubby for dinner – there would be Lou – who always included me in with the current conversation. He shared wonderful stories about his tours from the past and updates on his current performance schedule. At one such visit he listed some songs that he thought should have been a hit- this idea grew and then came the idea to make a website Lou Christie Says …”It Should Have been a Hit! “
Lou would select a weekly song to share he felt should have been a hit.
Lou gave me the opportunity to make the website! I learned how and Every Sunday Night I uploaded Lou’s new selection. I created a photo collage for the artist or group, and the song could be played with a button click for visitors to the site.
As time went by the format moved and is called -New POP Radio-
This continues with a different featured song posting on Sunday nights.
Before the songs is the recording from Lou with his thoughts.
What a gift to have been part of Sunday Nights for Lou- and to hear his beautiful speaking voice talk about the song he chose each week.
My opportunity how to make a website for Lou – changed has given us all more ways to hear his recorded voice.
I will forever miss Lou – his easy to listen to speaking voice, in life – in conversation, in excitement for something new or loved.
A beautiful human being- who loved life – music and us . All of us – just listen to his beautiful love songs in this fantastic gift of Love. “Paint America Love”. Album . I am completely moved by this album – it’s clear
He LOVED us and America & we love him.
Sunday’s will always be hard for my heart but it’s also full with Lou’s voice and songs to continue to share