Following the popularity of Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights, it seems almost everyone now knows at least the chorus of Is This The Way To Amarillo, and the classic Avenues and Alleyways has popped up in quite a few TV shows and films recently (Bansai and Love, Honour and Obey for example). As is often the case however, in the excitement of remembering the music, the performer is often forgotten. Few seem to know who this performer is. Tony Christie, originally from South Yorkshire, was a superstar in his hey day. Selling more than four million copies of Is This The Way To Amarillo he appeared in the British charts for no less than 41 of the 52 weeks in the year 1971 (with Amarillo and other hits, including the ever popular I Did What I Did For Maria). He appeared on the original concept album (but not the stage show) of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Evita and he went on to work with many other well-known performers and writers throughout the 70s and 80s, including Jack White, legendary producer known for his work with David Hasselhoff and Engelbert Humperdinck. He worked steadily throughout the 90s, appearing on Top of the Pops in 1999 with 'Walk Like A Panther', written by Pulp's Jarvis Cocker. As a result of this not-so-sudden re-emergence then, it seems Tony Christie is back on top. And, after recording the theme tune for last year's Paddy and Max's Road to Nowhere and releasing a Greatest Hits album spanning 25 years of work, Tony is touring once more. He can be seen at De Montfort Hall on 03 March. In the words of his press release, "For more than 30 years he has always convinced in his outstanding performances and he has constantly kept the feeling for his very own way, his style is beyond all other existing musical trends". See what you think... | 
