Congratulations are in order for onetime Austin resident Christopher Cross.
The former Chris Geppert recently topped VH-1’s list of the “40 Most Softsational Soft-Rock Songs” with his supremely soporific 1980 single, “Sailing.” Prior to penning the opus that inspired millions of dilettante yachtsmen to mortgage their childrens’ future in exchange for exorbitant slip fees, Cross led a popular local cover band called Flash. Though the very idea of “soft rock” begs for incessant ridicule, the fully realized tonality of Cross’ guitar work on “Sailing” is no joke.
Now fire up this clip and let the canvas do its miracles.
This article appears in June 1 • 2007.
A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.
Greg Beets was born in Lubbock on the day Richard Nixon was elected president. He has covered music for the Chronicle since 1992, writing about everyone from Roky Erickson to Yanni. Beets has also written for Billboard,Uncut, Blurt, Elmore, and Pop Culture Press. Before his digestive tract cried uncle, he co-published Hey! Hey! Buffet!, an award-winning fanzine about all-you-can-eat buffets.
More by Greg Beets
