Chris Rea began in the music industry as a reggae singing 'toaster' in the vein of his hero, U-Roy. As Rea's real first name is Uriah, he thought it only right to model himself on the great Jamaican 'toaster' and make records under the name U-Rea but was aghast to discover this was used to mock him and discredit his huge contributions to white English reggae music of the time.