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, 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,

The Pittsburgh native, famed for his distinctive falsetto, also had hits with “The Gypsy Cried,” “Two Faces Have I,” “I’m Gonna Make You Mine” and more.