How to Hire CHRISTOPHER CROSS For Your Event!
aka: Christopher Cross Geppert
Based in: Texas
Based in: Austin
Hire: Christopher Cross
GRAMMY award-winning Christopher Cross is an American singer-songwriter and musician, best known for his smooth voice and hit singles in the soft rock genre during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Born Christopher Charles Geppert on May 3, 1951, in San Antonio, Texas, Cross became one of the defining artists of yacht rock, blending pop, rock, and jazz influences in his music. He gained widespread fame with his self-titled debut album in 1979, which won multiple Grammy Awards and cemented his status as a major figure in the music industry.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Christopher Cross grew up in a musically inclined family and began playing the guitar at an early age. In the early 1970s, he was a member of a San Antonio-based cover band called Flash, gaining experience performing live. However, it was his solo work that caught the attention of Warner Bros. Records, leading to the release of his debut album, Christopher Cross, in 1979.
Breakthrough and Success
Cross’s debut album was a commercial and critical success, largely driven by the hit singles “Sailing” and “Ride Like the Wind.” “Sailing” in particular became a defining track of the soft rock genre, earning Cross three Grammy Awards in 1981, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. His debut album went on to win a total of five Grammys, a remarkable achievement for a new artist. The album also featured other popular songs like “Never Be the Same” and “Say You’ll Be Mine.”
In 1981, Cross continued his success by contributing the theme song “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” for the Dudley Moore film Arthur. The song, co-written with Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, and Peter Allen, became a chart-topping hit and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
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Subsequent Albums and Career Challenges
Following the massive success of his debut, Christopher Cross released his second album, Another Page (1983), which included hits like “All Right” and “Think of Laura.” While the album achieved moderate success and garnered radio play, it did not reach the same heights as his debut. As musical trends shifted in the mid-1980s toward more synth-heavy pop and new wave, Cross’s soft rock sound began to wane in popularity.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Cross continued to release albums, including Every Turn of the World (1985) and Back of My Mind (1988), but he struggled to replicate his earlier commercial success. Despite this, his music retained a loyal fanbase, particularly in the adult contemporary market.
Later Career and Legacy
In the 21st century, Christopher Cross continued to tour and release new music. His later albums, such as Doctor Faith (2011) and Take Me as I Am (2017), showcased a more mature sound, often blending elements of jazz and folk with his signature smooth rock style. While he did not regain the massive commercial success of his early years, Cross remained a respected figure in the soft rock and adult contemporary genres.
In late 2019, Cross toured with Todd Rundgren, Jason Scheff, Micky Dolenz and Joey Molland of Badfinger in celebration of the Beatles’ White Album on the “It Was Fifty Years Ago Today – A Tribute to the Beatles’ White Album”.
In 2020, Cross revealed that he had contracted COVID-19, which led to a difficult recovery and left him temporarily paralyzed due to Guillain-Barré syndrome. Despite these health struggles, he has remained active in music and continues to perform live.
Impact and Influence
Christopher Cross’s music defined an era of soft rock and “yacht rock” in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His smooth voice, heartfelt lyrics, and sophisticated arrangements made songs like “Sailing” and “Arthur’s Theme” timeless hits. Cross’s ability to blend pop melodies with soft rock and jazz elements created a lasting legacy that has influenced a wide range of artists within and beyond the genre.
His debut album remains one of the most celebrated releases of its time, and his contribution to both popular music and film soundtracks has earned him a place as one of the standout artists of the early 1980s.
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