IS THIS THE WAY TO AMARILLO

“Is this the way to Amarillo?” singer, Tony Christie to perform in SA next month

Venue: Grand Arena, GrandWest

Date: Wednesday, 15 May 2013 only

Time: 20h00

Cost: R255.00, R 275.00, R295.00, R 325.00

Tickets: Computicket

British singer, songwriter and actor, Tony Christie is visiting South Africa next month to perform two concerts only at Grand Arena, GrandWest, Cape Town on Wednesday, 15th May 2013 and Carnival City’s Big Top Arena, Johannesburg on Saturday, 18th May 2013, both concerts commence at 20h00. To celebrate Mother’s Day which takes place on 12^th May 2013, why not treat mums, grannie’s, nana’s and those special ladies in your life to a trip down memory lane with a gift of  tickets to see the legendary crooner, Tony Christie performing live in South Africa.

Tony Christie has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide and many of his chart-topping hits are widely recognised. With hit numbers “Is this the way to Amarillo”, “I did what I did for Maria” as well as “Avenues and Alleyways” and “Drive safely darling” featured in the film “Love, Honour and Obey”, Tony Christie has made a significant contribution to popular music across several decades.

“Is This the Way to Amarillo” was released at the beginning of the ‘70’s and sold more than one million copies by September 1972.  The hit was so popular, it went on to sell in excess of 4 million records and in 2005, reached Number 1 on the UK Singles Chart (outselling the first release’s entire chart run). This led to the biggest sales for a Number 1 single for the whole year, with seven weeks at the top of the charts. It also became the longest running chart-topper since Cher’s “Believe”, almost seven year earlier.

Written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield “Is This The Way To Amarillo” also enjoyed enormous success in South Africa in the ‘70’s and become a firm favourite with listeners of the now defunct Springbok Radio. The hit’s popularity steadily grew to become a worldwide hit.

Tony Christie’s long and illustrious musical career includes playing the role of Magaldi on the original 1976 album recording of the musical Evita and he represented the UK in the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest where he came third.  Most recently, Christie returned to the theatre where he appeared in a pantomime at The Theatre Royal, Windsor as the King.

Through most of the 1980s and 1990s, he maintained a successful singing career in continental Europe. This was especially so in Germany, with four albums recorded with German producer Jack White, then from 1991 to 2002, Christie recorded nine albums especially for the German market.

In 1999, Tony Christie was the vocalist on the Jarvis Cocker-penned UK Top Ten hit, “Walk Like a Panther”, recorded by the Sheffield band, All Seeing I. His influence on a new generation of singers was further demonstrated when indie pop band Rinaldi Sings released a cover version of “Avenues &Alleyways” in March 2004.

In 2002, “Is This the Way to Amarillo” was used in the TV comedy series Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights, leading to resurgence in his popularity. The song was re-released on 14 March 2005 to raise money for the Comic Relief charity, and reached Number 1 in the UK Singles Chart. This number brought a new audience and brought him cult status amongst the younger generation.

To coincide with the 2006 World Cup, a new version of “Amarillo”, the novelty single “(Is This The Way To) The World Cup?” was released on 29 May 2006, reaching Number 8 in the UK. On 6 November 2006, Christie issued the album, Simply in Love.

In July 2010, Christie made his West End début in the musical Dreamboats and Petticoats in London’s Playhouse Theatre, and later that year, Christie appeared in a celebrity version of Come Dine with Me where he was placed joint second.  The following year, Christie’s nineteenth studio album, Now’s the Time!, was released in the UK. To coincide with 50 years in the music industry, Christie embarked on a 50-date UK tour promoting the new album.

Two years ago, Christie released a charity single, a special arrangement of “Steal The Sun” in aid of the Help for Heroes Charity, supporting the British Forces fighting on the frontline in Afghanistan. The single was available on line with all proceeds going to the charity. Aside from singing, Christie is a talented actor who has made a guest appearance on the Yorkshire, UK based TV soap opera, Emmerdale.

Following the decades of success with “Amarillo”, Christie was awarded the freedom of Amarillo, Texas.

Tony Christie continues to tour and brings his memorable show to South Africa for the first time in May 2013. Don’t miss this legendary artist.

For the over 55’s there’s a special discounted Golden Package offer of a 15% discount on all ticket bookings subject to presentation of a valid identity document. Golden Package bookings are only available at Computicket service centres.