The British singer Chris Rea is dead. He died on Monday morning at the age of 74 in a clinic after a short illness, a spokesman told the PA news agency and the BBC on behalf of the family. The musician was known for his smoky and gentle voice. “Josephine”, “On the beach” and “I Can Hear Your Heartbeat” were catchy tunes in the 1980s and 1990s. “Driving Home for Christmas” became a classic. The song was written by Stuart Eales and Rea, who were inspired to write the song by a car ride in a snowstorm.
