“I've had nine major operations in ten years. A lot of it is to do with something called retroperitoneal fibrosis, where the internal tissues attack each other.”

English rock and blues singer-songwriter, guitarist and record producer

Chris Rea is an English rock and blues singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He is known for his gravelly voice and his slide guitar playing, as well as for a style that blends soft rock with blues. His work is marked by a restrained, recognisable sound that brought him a wide audience. Across his career, he has been associated with songs shaped by guitar-led arrangements and a blues-influenced approach to rock.