A late-1960s throwback to the days of clean-cut teen idols — he called himself “the missing link” — he rode his gymnastic vocal range to a string of hits.

Lou Christie, who topped the charts in 1966 with "Lightnin' Strikes" and made waves with the controversial "Rhapsody in the Rain," has died.

Lou Christie, one of the most beloved teen idols of the 1960s and the voice and songwriter behind Billboard Hot 100-topper "Lightnin' Strikes," has died. He was 82 years old. The musician died on Wednesday (June 18) at home in Pittsburgh after fighting a long illness,