Christopher Cross

Christopher Charles Geppert (born May 3, 1951), known professionally as Christopher Cross, is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He won five Grammy Awards for his eponymous debut album released in 1979. The singles "Sailing" (1980), and "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)", from the 1981 film Arthur, peaked at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

"Sailing" earned three Grammys in 1980. "Arthur's Theme" won in 1982 the Oscar for Best Original Song, with co-writers Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, and Peter Allen.

Christopher Charles Geppert was born on May 3, 1951 in San Antonio, Texas. A self-described "army brat", Cross is the son of a U.S. Army pediatrician who was stationed at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C., in the mid-1950s and acted as a physician for President Dwight Eisenhower's grandchildren. He attended Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, graduating in 1969. He played football and participated in track and field. Cross was raised Catholic.

Geppert developed an early interest in music, citing the influence of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and Dave Brubeck during childhood. As a seventh grader, he received a drum kit and began performing in a band called the Psychos, which played local church events and junior high school dances. Initially serving as the group’s drummer, Geppert also took on vocal duties due to the absence of another singer.

During high school, he shifted his primary focus to guitar, which he found more conducive to songwriting. Around this time, he became influenced by Frank Zappa, whom he admired less for Zappa's eccentricity and more for his instrumental approach and innovative rhythmic ideas.

Biography summary from English Wikipedia, photograph via Wikimedia Commons.