Meet Christopher Cross [PHOTOS/VIDEOS]

Singer/songwriter Christopher Cross made music history in 1980, when his debut album "Christopher Cross" won all four (general) Grammy awards!

Cross was born Christopher Charles Geppert, on May 3, 1951, in San Antonio, Texas.

A self-described "Army brat," Cross spent his elementary school years (the mid 50's) in the Washington D.C.area. His father was an Army pediatrician based at Walter Reed, and was the doctor for President Dwight Eisenhower's grandchildren.

Cross formed his first band in 1973, along with Rob Meurer on keyboards, Andy Salmon on bass, and Tommy Taylor on drums. This San Antonio-based cover band was called "Flash." Not to be confused with the British band of the early 1970's.

Christopher Cross was signed to Warner Brothers Records.

The debut album (at top of article) "Christopher Cross" was released late in 1979.

One of "Jersey's Favorite Hits," "Ride Like The Wind" (with backing vocals by Michael McDonald), hit the Top-40 charts in February 1980.  It rocketed to #2, and would stay there for 4 weeks.

"Sailing" followed in the summer of 1980, and went to #1.

"Never Be The Same" was the next single (#15/1980).

Nicolette Larson provided backup vocals on "Say You'll be Mine" (#20/1981).

Is it any wonder that Cross won all four possible "general" Grammys? He is the first artist (and only to date) to win "Record Of The Year," "Album Of The Year," "Song Of The Year," and "Best New Artist" in the same year! The year: 1980.

Up next: a #1 song from a movie soundtrack!

"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)," from the Dudley Moore movie, went to #1 for 3 weeks in the fall of 1981.

Cross's second album, "Another Page" was released in 1983.

"All Right" landed at #12 (1983).  It was used by CBS Sports in an NCAA Basketball montage that year.

"Think Of Laura" cracked the top-10...(#9/1984). Over the years, this song has sometimes been linked with characters on "General Hospital."

"A Chance For Heaven," sung by Cross, was the theme for the U.S. Swim Team at the Los Angeles Summer Olympics of 1984.

I'll bet you didn't know...Christopher Cross sand backup on David Lee Roth's 1985 version of "California Girls!"

Sadly, Christopher Cross' next two albums, "Every Turn Of The World" (1985), and "Back Of My Mind" (1988), did not spawn any top-40 hits.

Cross made three more albums in the 1990's...and although they garnered some critical praise, record buyers didn't take notice.

In the meantime, Christopher Cross has been an opening act for other bands...and, maybe you saw him, along with Alan Parsons, Eric Carmen and Todd Rundgren in Atlantic City...in 2003. Cross' official website states that he averages about 100 live shows a year!

2007 brought the new album "A Christopher Cross Christmas."

Cross released a new studio album in 2011, called "Doctor Faith." He has said in interviews, that he comes from a long line of doctors...

Last year, he released "A Night In Paris," a 2-CD live album recorded and filmed in April 2012.

On the personal side, Christopher Cross and his wife Jan married in 1988. They divorced in 2007. They have a son, Christopher, and a daughter, Madison.

What else is Christopher Cross up to? For his official website, click here!

Check out the liner notes on the back of my late-1980's CD reissue of the debut album...especially the last few lines, where Cross explains his (enduring) appeal.