Palm Springs
Lightnin’ Strikes Plaza Theatre Stage Starting January 8th, 2013!
Lou Christie’s chart topping, multi-million selling career as a songwriter, recording artist, and performer started in a two-track studio in Glenwillard, Pennsylvania, his rural hometown near Pittsburgh. His first million-selling song, “The Gypsy Cried,” transformed a local choirboy, Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco, into Lou Christie—national teen idol, while still a teenager himself! No longer a teenager, but still a three-octave musical phenomena, he makes his Follies’ debut January 8 through March 9, 2013.
“Two Faces Have I” was Christie’s next big hit featuring his stratospheric falsetto. Then, his #1 multi-million selling “Lightnin’ Strikes,” forever embedded him into America’s musical consciousness. His chart-topping success continued with two more million selling hits, “Rhapsody In The Rain” and “I’m Gonna Make You Mine.” Rhapsody’s success was fueled by the fact that it was the first song banned on the radio due to its suggestive lyrics.
Lou Christie was more than just your average teen idol: He was one of the 1960’s first singer-songwriters. Together with his eccentric collaborator, Twyla Herbert, Christie co-wrote nearly all of his songs. Herbert, nearly 30 years his senior, was a classically trained musician, so it was the perfect partnership since Christie had no formal musical training.
Highlights from Christie’s performing career include appearances on Dick Clark’s Caravan Of Stars, sharing 72 consecutive one-nighters with Diana Ross and the Supremes, and a command performance for Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family.
Elton John, John Lennon and Madonna are among the music legends upon whom Christie has had major influence. Elton John played piano for Christie during Christie’s ‘London Period’ in the early 70’s, and recorded the Christie/Herbert-penned song, “She Sold Me Magic.” John Lennon repeatedly pointed out in his interviews, “Lou Christie was one of my influences.” And Madonna even thanked Christie in the liner notes of her ten-million-selling “Immaculate Collection” LP.
From teen idol to Rock ‘n’ Roll legend “Lightnin’” Lou Christie strikes again, and again, and again, but this time for Follies Fans as he makes his long-awaited debut upon the Palm Springs Follies’ stage.
During its 22 seasons, The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies has been seen by nearly three million patrons, and celebrates the music and dance of Mid-Century America with a cast ranging in age from 54 to 83 years “young.” The show features lavish, Broadway-caliber production numbers, and plays five days a week from November through late-May. In 1997, it was the subject of an Oscar-nominated short documentary entitled Still Kicking: The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies. The show is housed in downtown Palm Springs’ historic Plaza Theatre, a charming, neon-encrusted old movie house, which is an attraction itself. Tickets may be purchased online at www.psfollies.com.
