Despite the fear of being Typecast as a falsetto- Only singer, Lou Christie stayed with his Cutting Edge vocal style that would cut a unique sound in’60s rock and roll which has carried on In popularity and influence through today 60 years later .
Christie was able to Parlay that sound with what only a few American artists we’re able to do h a v i n g hits throughout the entire decade of the 60s including the Beatles era- from the Gypsy cried in 1963 to ” Im going to to make you mine’ in 1969.
It also was a unique songwriting team of Christie and unknownTwyla Herbert, 20 years his senior, who made it happen with five top 40 hits including the number one’ Lightning strikes’ in 1965, during the heart of the Beatles era.. Th e r e were many other songs ‘that should have been hits,’ as Christy might have said during his recent internet series of the same name. Songs like ‘Outside the gates of Heaven’ and ‘ How many teardrops ‘ just eluded the top 40.
Christy had a cult favorite cover song, Beyond the Blue Horizon , also used in a movie score , in 1974 and another minor hit as late as 1981 with ‘ Summer 81′ medley of Beach Boys Tunes, Well Suited for Christie’s high vocal range.
C h r i s t e also had a in concert favorite duet with Lesley Gore,’ Since I Don’t Have You / It’s Only Make Believe ‘ when they toured together in the late’80s and Beyond. They also cut a record of the song.
Lou Christie’s first manager wanted him to use that distinctive falsetto voice to ‘sing like Frankie Valli on Sherry’. And that he did culminating with his first hit the Gypsy cried in 1963 and carrying on through the rest of his career. In an interview is heard below Christy says he doesn’t regret it.
