Christopher Cross Mini Documentary [ABC News 20/20 Feature with Steven Fox]

ABC's Steve Fox does a deep dive into the meteoric rise of Christopher Cross on their investigative 20/20 program. In the episode, Christopher describes his single "Ride Like The Wind" as Pop & Roll; Rock music heavily influenced by the pop songs of the 1960s.
For 10 years before the release of his debut album, Christopher Cross performed covers at local Austin bars. After sending a demo tape to Warner Records, producer Michael Omartian was assigned to work with Christopher and they spent 700 hours together in the studio recording their debut album.
At the 1980 Grammy Awards, Cross made history by being the first artist to with the "Big Four" Grammy Awards in a single night. After Cross' triumph at the Grammys, lawmakers in Austin Texas proclaimed a day in his honor "Christopher Cross Day".
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ABOUT CHRISTOPHER CROSS
Christopher Cross burst onto the music scene with his 1979 self-titled debut album produced by Michael Omartian. The lead single “Ride Like The Wind” spent 4 weeks at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and was quickly followed up by Cross’ most popular single to date (and first #1 hit) “Sailing”, which later became known as the archetype for the Yacht Rock genre. In 1981, Cross became the first artist in Grammy history to win the “Big Four” most prestigious awards in a single night; Record of the Year (for the single “Sailing”), Album of the Year, Song of the Year (also “Sailing”), and Best New Artist. Later that year Cross released “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” which he co-wrote with Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer, Peter Allen, and was the title-theme for the 1981 film “Arthur” starring Dudley Moorre and Liza Minnelli. The song earned Cross his second #1 and the Oscar for Best Original Song at the 1981 Academy Awards. Cross’ sophomore album “Another Page” was released in 1983 and featured the singles “Think of Laura” and “All Right”. Cross has sold over 10M albums worldwide and his songs have been covered and sampled by NSYNC, Puff Daddy, Avant, Shirley Bassey, Dione Warwick, and many more.

[@barrylippard1846]

Great music. Underrated guitar player.

[@buzman1985]

He’s an INSANELY talented guitar player, vocalist, and writer. 5 Grammys wasn’t enough.

[@daved7231]

thanks for saying that bro, youre 100% correct

[@RocStarr913]

@@buzman1985He didn’t make music that made an impression after the first album.

[@buzman1985]

@@RocStarr913 Okay, cool. Carry on with your day.

[@thomasjensen6243]

There are a million more talented guitar players than Chrissy cross.

[@samanthamaguire3668]

Christopher Cross, A BABY FACED Beautiful Singer, With a Voice like an ANGEL, and can STILL make my knees go weak with his songs 🥰 He Will ALWAYS be MY NUMBER 1 . 🥰💖💗❣️🇮🇪

[@dannybourne_]

*Absolutely unique voice. This music will never fade away.*

[@saleslrp6143]

Me and my brother (one year younger) got Mongoose BMX bicycles for Christmas one year in the early 80s. I was maybe 10 or 11. We left the house and starting driving our bikes. It felt so great, and we thought we were hot shit lol. The whole time we were both screaming the song "Ride like the Wind". What great memories. Thanks Chris! You're a Legend!

[@paulmac9634]

Chris, I was a little boy when Sailing came out. I still listen to the song quite often even now all these years later. Thank you :)

[@TheLordGoat]

For a kid, it was highly spiritual at the time.

[@KrisTheBatSpider21]

I remember as a kid somebody was playing right like the wind and I wasn't ready for him until late 2020 of January. Lol

[@tb0yp]

I was 12 years old. His music changed my life. Amazing

[@mdventertainment]

@@TheLordGoat insane seeing one of my favorite emcees in here

[@TheLordGoat]

This world is not real.@@mdventertainment

[@drplando14]

I saw him in Santa Barbara in 2004 at the Soho. It started off w a dinner and he walked around talking to people at different tables and then he did the concert.

[@joycesampaga9045]

❤ I have my 11yr old son listen to your songs ❤

[@tmo7734]

An extraordinary great talent to this day.

[@susankeene4497]

I skipped play practice to watch this. Thank you for so many beautiful songs.

[@christopheremge6288]

That debut album is perfection, never duplicated

[@pjmelg]

Love you, Chris❤

[@tsreiki]

My friend bought me the double album for my 19th birthday and I still love it 40 years later.. great memories ❤

[@JacquelineWatters-e3e]

Loved him for over 40 years . Sailing being my favourite song

[@guardingheroes]

My 4 year old autistic niece is nonverbal. She wasn’t feeling well. I have my favorite playlist that was playing the song, sailing. I started to hum to the song, she relaxed and fell asleep. Chris’s songs take a person and makes them drift into another world. Mine would drift to the mountains and rivers of Puerto Rico watching the sunset or the shooting stars at night. I could literally smell the mountain air. So peaceful. Even though, my reality was in beautiful NYC. The city that never sleeps. As a kid in the 80’s I’d sit on my fire escape or the rooftop with my boombox and listen to him on the radio or my cassette. No matter what troubles there were, his songs always gave me comfort. Helped me through the worst of times. Kept me inspired. And now, two generations after me enjoy the same happy feeling. Thanks Chris. Blessings to you always. I’m so proud of you. Blessings 🙏🏼🌺 #sailing

[@Sauvageonne]

I hope he can read this one day!!!

[@Kobet971]

That’s amazing about your niece ❤this music band speaks volumes with their songs ❤even today 😊

[@Jgeneraledger23]

If you squeeze her arm, does she cry? Somebody told me that non-verbal kids make no noise whatsoever, not even when they cry.

[@nathanielbellmore]

Every year, this world stays interesting to me because of discovering new artists. So glad to find Chris this year

[@daisyduke4640]

Love his music 🏆🌟

[@KrisTheBatSpider21]

He's definitely awesome can't deny it.

[@Jsm-g2y]

Beautiful! 🤩🤩🤩

[@albertoromo972]

Gracias Cristhoper Cross por tan bella musica desde chico lo escuchaba y ahora que estoy grande lo sigo escuchando Cristhoper Cross es un excelente cantante

[@thepracticingguitarist]

Christopher Cross' catalog is brilliant. But the debut album is really timeless. What a great time capsule this video is. Thank you for uploading it.

[@RocStarr913]

Hardly. His music sounded virtually the same after the first album and the songwriting was less inventive afterwards.

[@soniakbibbs7040]

My favorite artist 4/10/1971❤️💯🙌🏾🙏🏾

[@nitaspringer5]

Please don't stop making music!! You are a musical genius of a singer and writer. WE MISS YOU!! #Arthur'sTheme

[@drogilby]

He was absolutely adorable as a young musician. Very cute!

[@windy7671]

I was 12 yold when i started to hear Christopher Cross' songs in my native country Peru ,now I'm living for 21 years in DFW so close to my idol , OMG it's incredible , sorry about my English comp and grammar , but I love Chris!!!

[@amyhunter4577]

I just love his music. Brings back so many good memories from the past. I could just listen all day long.

[@carolthomas7290]

Thank you for sharing this! It’s so much easier to be a fan of the total package when he’s just simply a good guy, too!

[@chuxproductions1090]

I have Loved this Musician since he was heard early on!!! I ended buying two Albums and loved them so much!!!❤️👏 Where has he gone? Such great recordings with vocals of greats and musical instruments can easily be heard❤️👏🎺🎼

[@robgoodman7303]

What a time capsule! And Sailing is one of my first musical memories as a toddler when the song was still fairly new. It never feels wrong ❤️

[@giniwalters8401]

I love you Christopher Cross ❤❤❤

[@christisking2373]

I'm born in 1989 - discovering Christopher in the 2020's... amazing

[@Mr.bearuk112]

He’s absolutely wonderful.

[@ClaudeLavender]

Michael Omartians perm is awesome hah! Very cool vid!

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

One of the all time greats!!

[@clairedelune2011]

Cheers from Argentina . We love Cristopher!

[@Dan2xGalicia-cb2tf]

Sailing was later covered by NSync but CC's version is still classic.

[@philouze1815]

I doubt the whole live gig was filmed and preserved But if it was... That would a total mindfu*k. Love you Chris. More than life itself.

[@johnritcher5751]

One of the best!!!

[@EDGARDANIELGUTIERREZ]

Chulada de canciones.

[@virginiadelacruz8495]

❤ gracias gracias gracias 😊por su música maravillosas

[@KrisTheBatSpider21]

By the time when Christopher Cross hit it big in 1978 that's when I came to the world in July of that year and I didn't get into CC until January of 2020 I was not ready for him yet but I got to a point now where I will listen to anything and mainly cc is the one I listen to the most now when I was a teen my main to music is rock and rap but now that I'm older I listen to anything. Christopher Cross is awesome

[@Kobet971]

Such amazing music 🎼

[@darlenekozlovskis6907]

PHENOMENAL ARTIST

[@kar3303]

Absolutely unique ❤❤

[@amreshcoomar3742]

Good Remix "Ride Like a wind" will hit

[@pfuss]

Come to Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, or Nebraska. Fine. Texas works, too. And Arkansas. damn. I'm begging now. sorry

[@buzman1985]

Can you re-post your CBS Sunday Morning interview (pre-Covid interview).

[@PatriciagarciaMatias]

Magnifico musico😂❤❤😂❤😂❤😂❤😂❤😂❤😂

[@Sassiaco]

Kal Rudman was no joke when it came to the BIG HITS BABY

[@vegasuperstar6]

Fuck the critics, chris as an artist was just being an authentic musician writing the songs with his band. His voice is crazy good and he followed his dreams. You can say all you want about christopher cross!! He won 5 grammys in 81 and wrote so many hits. Noones opinion can touch that! They only wish they could have accomplished such greatness. And chris was super humble about it. His songs live forever!

[@RocStarr913]

He peaked too soon though. Plus, he had the misfortune of MTV starting right after he became big. Plus, he never kept up at all with where musical tastes were going. You listen to all his singles and they all sounded too much the same as the 1980’s wore on and the songwriting was arguably far less inventive with it then it was with the first album. Pop music was changing rapidly through each year of the decade. I’m sure the programmers of contemporary radio, even the adult contemporary ones, were going through his singles after the first album and were like, “We’ve heard this already. This music is no longer in fashion now. We have to play what people are listening to right now.” I’m sure most record buyers at the time had the same impression and it didn’t help that his onstage presence had absolutely no charisma during a time with pop music where that had become everything. His critics ultimately were right because by his second album, radio and most people weren’t so interested in anymore new music from him.

[@marciagasparvieira9593]

LINDAS MÚSICA DEMAIS ÓTIMO CANTOR ELE MERECE CHISTOPHER CROSS👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻❤❤🇧🇷

[@blakesanborn2701]

Eric Johnson also contributed to his success. Sad he is not mentioned here but I don't think Eric was large enough to mention at this time. Sad.

[@mcarlkv53]

ride like the wind to be free again....

[@babyjesuslovesme1219]

Before Kris kross made us jump Chris cross made us bounce

[@alexinaldoneri871]

Muito bom Bons tempos

[@flyingcheff]

Wait...31 minutes ago, we got to access a brand new ancient video! Sure miss Chris.

[@albertagosto6803]

🙌🏾🎶🎶🛩️✈️🇺🇸

[@israelpetersonvasquez]

“Copy band” “demonstration tape”

[@thomasjensen6243]

So wait, he wasn't the right man for your daughter until he became famous? Every human is superficial.

[@kyleg8098]

MTV tanked his career

[@stevelaconte8802]

So his inlaws got on board when he got famous? Hmmm

[@bobke114]

I might be real mistaken and I am getting old but Chris Cross never played that much on 6th street. Back then 6th had Antones and that was about it. In the 70s sixth street was a desolate area except for hookers and drunks

[@tonytorres8062]

he didn't care what people thought about his appearance. as a gay guy. I think he was hot and he's probably a hot older guy now. and Nicolette was great too.

[@DavidMajorz]

Looks like a chubby Chris Pratt

[@susannacasagrande6468]

4000 visualizzazioni in 10 ore. Commentatori a pagamento. 🔴Truffa visualizzazioni, commentatori a pagamento. Furto.🔴 Dovrete assumere le vostre responsabilità penale. Insieme con tutti i vostri collaboratori. 👑💛🌹

[@Carterofmars]

A master song writer and performer. One in a million really. He sailed to the sun. Bravo

[@elcasho]

That album is a masterpiece. 'Sailing' especially can bring joy no matter how bad your day

[@bbingtube]

Epic!

[@chrispeek8412]

On my Sony Walkman, 'Sailing' was the perfect song to listen to when I went out to Lake Travis (near Austin). Thanks for the awesome music, Christopher!

[@daved7231]

hey brother i live in the area as well. did you know sailing is about an older friend of his taking him sailing on Canyon lake? I always associated it with the ocean, but its little canyon lake down the road

[@rebeccahanson9864]

This is awesome to watch ❤❤❤

[@annorarubio7678]

He's great writer

[@blankicarcor2051]

I love Arturo's song 😘😘😘😘 greetings Christopher ❤❤❤

[@lynnecrisp]

My friend Christopher whom I met in the early 70's @ Village Inn Pizza Parlor downtown Market Square. Way different but he stayed the same

[@michelledowdle1761]

That was the first album i purchased for myself!!! Love him!!!

[@lynnecrisp]

Yep Geppert is his real last name

[@pfuss]

Sailing... #1ChristopherCrossSong

[@KrisTheBatSpider21]

For Me Ride Like the Wind is my number one Christopher Cross hit

[@brucefye3778]

I remember this from 44 years ago. I have memories older than a lot people. Cheers Chris!

[@KrisTheBatSpider21]

Definitely me I didn't start listening to CC till late 2020 of January

[@davideaton4074]

Listening to Sailing, Driving my sisters Tr7 up the coast from Santa Cruz to San Francisco, wow, wow wow. It makes me so happy, calm, and free to this day.

[@tonydavila6594]

Great Music, Wow, in 1981 I was in the 5th grade, How time flies...

[@djdavi8619]

Muito bom

[@andothermoves]

He was real.

[@Keydet1992]

Little did the critics know he would one day be the poster boy for yacht rock radio. And I’m here for it!

[@jean-francoisgrun7524]

I heard these songs on the radio when I was a kid without knowing who was the artists (only two songs actually). I just recently discovered the treasure… I am a new fan!

[@KrisTheBatSpider21]

I came late in the game too of January 2020 that's when I discovered him and my first song was right like the wind ever since I'm hooked

[@FranzFarber-y8p]

thanks for that ,great watch seen Chris many times in concert and meet him , timeless music ride like the wind my alltime favourite song

[@rosimeiregalheno6830]

❤ 🌎 2024...

[@jorgkuhnapfel8012]

Great singer and songwriter! Christopher Cross was (is) one of my favorite albums! God bless you and your family Christopher!

[@freesoul3371]

I saw him once at Santa Barbara City College outdoor concert with Kenny Loggins. It was a free concert in the early 80's.

[@Jgeneraledger23]

'CONVERTIBLE MUSIC!'

[@rosafernandes2071]

Nossa! É um cantor inteiro? Quem dera ter uma apresentação aqui no Brasil deste ícone carismático. Para😂béns para este gigante!!!! Avisi nos de chows para possamos ir!!!+++

[@tb0yp]

I have been looking for this FOR YEARS! I actually have this recorded on cassette from the tv. Now I just need Say You’ll Be Mine from Solid Gold!!!!

[@keithfriz2635]

Looking forward to seeing you in Philly in July

[@voicetube]

Wow. Just WOW!!

[@mikerepairsstuff]

“Copy songs”. vs. “cover songs”...

[@robson_srn2246]

Congratulatios! Beautiful songs.

[@GodWarriorsArcAngels]

Loved him when I was in 2nd grade

[@treich9072]

Interesting facts about Christopher Cross: Although best known for his vocals and songwriting, Cross is also a skilled guitarist. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker of Steely Dan invited Cross to play on their albums, but Cross declined. Cross also substituted for Ritchie Blackmore during a Deep Purple concert in 1970 when Blackmore fell ill. Cross was the original owner of fellow Austin guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan’s legendary “Number One” 1962/1963 hybrid Fender Stratocaster. Vaughan purchased the guitar at Ray Hennig’s Heart of Texas Music in Austin in 1974, only one day after Cross had traded the guitar for a Gibson Les Paul.[11]

[@MichaelBoyers]

When Music was a beautiful experience to listen to before Punk and Rap

[@shannonbowman5990]

😊 “soon I will be free”

[@MeWriter2112]

The founder of a whole style of music: yacht rock. Love him. So talented.

[@schrodingerscat8621]

Christopher Cross took his first big royalty check and purchased a BMW M1, a legendary car for a legendary singer/song writer. I wonder if he still has that car. Probably worth $1 million by now

[@crystalsimmons584]

If music was a Gas, well, I would have to suppose The Petroleum Patterning for the Driving and Flying of the Vehicles... Really like that song for The Dragon 🐉 to Make Earth Work Right. All about those one songs.

[@mattcarlucci]

TIL they used to call cover bands “copy bands”.