Pen & Sword Books Ltd Chris Rea (3, 2026) | Jamie Hailstone

The British rock star Chris Rea will be forever known for his seasonal smash ‘Driving Home For Christmas’, but there is much more to the gravel-voiced singer and slide guitar player than meets the eye. Chris Rea: Song by Song chronicles Rea's career from his 1978 debut album Whatever Happened to Benny Santini? to his chart-topping run of bestsellers in the 1980s, which culminated with 1989’s The Road To Hell, which reached number 1 in the UK and was certified platinum six times. Along the way, Rea has also been an unlikely star on the European dance music scene and the lead actor in a Michael Winner movie. Following a major operation, he reinvented himself as a bluesman and started a new chapter in his music career. And then there is the slight matter of an obscure track from the 1980s, which slowly became the festive favourite that we all know today. The ultimate survivor, Rea has sold more than 40 million records worldwide and deserves his place among the all-time greats of modern music.