Behind the Hits: Tony Christie's Musical Journey

Summary

Episode Summary: Behind the Hits: Tony Christie's Musical Journey

Podcast: Tony Mantor's Almost Live… Nashville
Host: Tony Mantor
Guest: Tony Christie (with input from his son, Sean Christie)
Date: September 23, 2025

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Overview

This episode spotlights the legendary British singer Tony Christie, celebrated for enduring hits like “(Is This the Way to) Amarillo” and a remarkable career spanning over five decades. Host Tony Mantor guides listeners through Christie's musical ascent, the pivotal role of manager Harvey Lisberg, his experiences recording and touring internationally, reflections on family and resilience, and the impact of his dementia diagnosis. Christie’s son, Sean, joins later, adding intimate family and behind-the-scenes perspectives. The episode delivers a candid, upbeat look at a life dedicated to music and the power of perseverance, optimism, and family support.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Career & Breakthrough

• Discovery by Harvey Lisberg

  • Tony Christie explains that meeting manager Harvey Lisberg was life-changing and pivotal in securing his MCA Records deal (07:06, Christie: "He got me a record deal and I started having hits around the world. So it changed my life.”).
  • Lisberg's connection to Herman’s Hermits and other top songwriters gave Christie exposure to hit material.

• First Big Hit & Lifestyle Change

  • “Las Vegas” and other hits in 1971 propelled Christie from performing in Sheffield nightclubs to international stages.
  • (07:44, Christie: “Suddenly I was being invited over to New Zealand and Australia and around the world… it changed my life completely.”)

2. Life on the Road & Evolving Success

• Transition from Local Gigs to Major Venues

  • Christie describes going from "a little apartment in Sheffield" to venues like the Royal Albert Hall.
  • His work ethic was relentless—he “never turned any work down.” (09:41, Christie: “Never turned any work down because we struggled for years and years… I said, that’s it, I’m going to work myself to death.”)

• Touring, Family, and Gratitude

  • The move from modest beginnings to financial stability allowed his family to buy a house and improve their life.
  • Special fondness for performing in New Zealand and Australia—places that welcomed him early on. (11:58, Christie: “The first tour I did of New Zealand was an absolute sellout.”)

3. The Hit that Keeps on Giving: “Amarillo”

• Unexpected Comeback
  • Christie recounts how “Amarillo” was revived through its use in Peter Kay’s TV show ‘Phoenix Nights’.
  • (12:58, Christie: “Suddenly we got this phone call. Amarillo is taking off big time. Can you get back? … I got back to the UK again and did a long, long tour and it changed my life again.”)
• The Enduring Nature of Music
  • Mantor observes how a song can “restart your career all over again” (13:33), to which Christie replies, “It’s changed my life a few times… always for the better.”

4. The Nashville Connection

• Recent Recording Projects
  • Christie discusses his new album A New Life, featuring both classic songs and new renditions of cabaret favorites like “Jezebel” and “Mr. Bojangles.” (14:05, Christie: “I did two songs that I’ve been singing on the cabaret circuit for donkey’s years… now I’ve recorded them.”)
• Admiration for Nashville Musicians
  • He and Mantor marvel at the skill and efficiency of Nashville session players.
  • (14:46, Christie: “People don’t realize it’s so quick—the musicians are so good…”)

5. Facing Dementia with Optimism

• Diagnosis & Coping
  • Christie openly discusses his dementia diagnosis, describing early warning signs, the role of music in therapy, and the support of his wife.
  • (15:22, Christie: “I was always a crossword fanatic…suddenly we started having problems doing them… and they said, you’ve got the beginnings of…dementia.”)
  • Doctors encouraged him to continue with music to help keep symptoms at bay.
• On Stage Adaptations
  • He’s used autocue (teleprompters) for 30 years, so continuing to perform isn’t hindered. (16:27, Christie: "If you got like 40 or 50 songs you tried to do… so I've always got that autocue on the stage for me to... for the lyrics.”)

6. Family, Longevity, and Legacy

• Generational Fanbase & Support
  • Sean shares stories of three generations of fans at concerts, highlighting Christie’s broad appeal and the family’s role in touring and support. (21:21, Sean: “We get three generations, the grandparents, the kids, and the grandkids…”)
  • Mantor and Christie reflect on the meaning of success, the lasting joy of performing, and how family grounds the artist through ups and downs.
• Celebrity Admiration
  • Christie recounts singer Tom Jones praising his rendition of “So Deep is the Night,” and notes recent supportive messages from stars like Neil Sedaka and Neil Lieber (25:35).

7. Looking Forward

• Still Performing and Recording at 81
  • Christie enthusiastically continues recording, touring, and planning new projects. (17:57, Christie: “I'm always, always recording. Yeah…”)
  • The family discusses dreams like performing in Amarillo, Texas and possible collaborations with other stars.
  • Despite age and health challenges, Christie remains grateful and passionate: (22:04, Christie: “I'm very fortunate at my age, I'm still 81 and I'm still working and doing well. Voice is still there. The knees are not as good.”)
• Family and Humility
  • Sean affectionately describes Christie as “the quiet man,” someone who always put family first and never sought the spotlight for its own sake.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On life-changing management:

  • Tony Christie, 07:18:
    “He changed my life, basically. Yeah, he got me a record deal and I started having hits around the world. So it changed my life.”

• On relentless work ethic:

  • Tony Christie, 09:41:
    “Never turned any work down because we struggled for years and years and years, my wife and I, and I said, that's it, I'm going to work myself to death. And I did. I just carried on work. Never turned anything down.”

• On faith in music’s power:

  • Tony Christie, 15:56:
    “They said, you're very, very fortunate. You're in the music business. That's one of the things we recommend. People with it listen to lots of music and that helps to keep it down.”

• On recording in Nashville:

  • Tony Christie, 14:46:
    “It was brilliant. I mean, the thing is that people don't realize it's so quick that the musicians are so good, you know?”

• On the fans:

  • Tony Christie, 17:43:
    “I've had followers for 50, 60 years. They're still there following me. I owe money, but that doesn't matter.”

• On family and new projects:

  • Sean Christie, 28:34:
    “Dad has always said, when he's asked, what is it that you're most proud of? And he always says, it hasn't happened yet.”

• On humility and legacy:

  • Sean Christie, 28:55:
    “He’s a gentleman. We call him the quiet man… he just doesn’t like talking about himself or what happened. He wasn’t very show busy. He didn’t do the showbiz thing. He just got on with his. And he still does.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Tony Christie on meeting Harvey Lisberg: 07:06–07:18
• First big hit and early career changes: 07:35–08:25
• Relentless touring and work ethic: 09:41–10:13
• International breakthrough (New Zealand, Australia): 11:58–12:17
• “Amarillo” revival through TV (Phoenix Nights): 12:58–13:33
• Recording in Nashville & new album: 14:05–14:46
• Discussing dementia diagnosis & music as therapy: 15:22–16:44
• Family and generational audiences: 21:21–21:57
• Longevity and ongoing projects: 22:04–23:45
• Favorite song and Tom Jones’ praise: 24:24–25:10
• Reflections on family, humility, and future ambitions: 28:34–29:48

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Tone & Style

The conversation is candid, warm, and peppered with British humor and gentle optimism. Christie’s humility and zest for life stand out, as do Sean’s affectionate contributions. Mantor’s curiosity and respect for the craft of music create an intimate, engaging atmosphere.

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Conclusion

This episode paints a vivid portrait of Tony Christie as a hard-working, family-centered artist whose love for music keeps him resilient and ever-evolving. From packed nightclubs in Sheffield to global tours and Nashville studios, Christie's tale offers inspiration, practical advice, and heartfelt moments for musicians, industry hopefuls, and listeners of all generations. His story is a testament to the enduring power of music, family, and a positive outlook on life.

Transcript

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[Tony Mantour (Host)]

My career in the entertainment industry has enabled me to work with a diverse range of talent. Through my years of experience, I've recognized two essential aspects. Industry professionals, whether famous stars or behind the scenes staff, have fascinating stories to tell. Secondly, audiences are eager to listen to these stories which offer a glimpse into their lives and the evolution of their life. Stories this podcast aims to share these narratives, providing information on how they evolve into their chosen career. We will delve into their journey to stardom, discuss their their struggles and successes, and hear from people who help them achieve their goals. Get ready for intriguing behind the scenes stories and insights into the fascinating world of entertainment. Hi, I'm Tony Mantour. Welcome to Almost Live Nashville, we're thrilled to welcome Tony Christie, a remarkable artist discovered and managed by Harvey Lisberg. Renowned for launching Herman's Hermes, Tony soared to fame with three hit singles in 1971 on MCA Records, captivating audiences worldwide. On tour today we'll explore his illustrious career from chart topping success to his inspiring journey after a dementia diagnosis in 2023. Despite this challenge, Tony continues to perform and record, showcasing an incredible legacy and an optimistic outlook. Later in the show, we'll be joined by his son Sean to join in the conversation. So before we dive into our episode, we will be back with an uninterrupted show right after a word from our sponsors.

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[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Thanks for joining us today, Tony. It's an honor to have you here.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Pleasure.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yes, mine as well. Now, I understand that you started off early in life with a manager by the name of Harvey Lisberg.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

That's right. It was my manager. Yeah, he was Herman's Hermit's manager at the time. And then he took me over and. Yeah, I'll be here.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

I understand he was very instrumental in getting a record deal with MCA Records.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah, yeah, he got me. He got me the record deal. He changed my life, basically. Yeah, he got me a record deal and I started having hits around the world. So it changed my life.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, that's great. I think it was like early 70s that you had the big record, Las Vegas, which climbed the charts in the UK.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

1971. Yeah, yeah.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Once you started having the hit records, how did that affect you? How did your life change moving forward?

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Oh, completely. I mean, at the time I was. We'd be. I was. I've been married three years to my wife since 1968. We married and we were living in a. In a little apartment in a block of flats in Sheffield. And it changed my life basically because suddenly I was being invited over to New Zealand and Australia and around the world. It was just, you know, it changed my life completely.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, that's just so very good. Now, before you got signed by mca, where was you performing? Was you just doing local shows on the nightclub circuit?

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

So everywhere, all over the uk, wherever there was a nightclub, I'd be doing it.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah. That's great. Now, once you were signed by mca, you went from doing the nightclub circuit to major concerts. How did that feel and what happened from there?

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Oh, it did. I mean, suddenly from doing little nightclubs, I was suddenly at the Albert hall and doing these huge venues and it was a life changer, in a good way. You know, it changed my life that we, at the time, for all that, my wife and I were living in a little. A little apartment in a block of flats near. Near Sheffield Wednesday Football Club. And just. It was, you know, it just changed my life. Open the world.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, that's great. So did you record mostly other people's songs or did you do some songwriting yourself?

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

I did a little bit of writing, but I basically, my manager, Harvey Lisberg, he managed the Hermes Hermits and various songwriters. So I started getting songs from some of the top writers who were having hits around the world. And suddenly my manager said, I'll get you a song. And then they started giving me these hit songs. So that really changed my life.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, it's always nice to get great songs to record. Now, once she was recording and out there, did you tour consistently or did you take some breaks every now and then, how did that go?

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

I never stopped. I was a workaholic. And when you. When you're that and you're married and you've got a little kid who's. My son, Sean, if you've spoken to. Living in a. In a flat, in a block of flats, you know, you work. You just work, work, work, work, work. Damn it. Never turn any work. Never that. Toured around the world in Australia, New Zealand, all these places, and I never turned work down because we struggled for years and years and years, my wife and I, and I said, that's it, I'm going to work myself to death. And I did. I just carried on work. Never turned anything down.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, that's a great thing. So what did it feel like? You go from performing in an area where you probably know a lot of people that come to see you. Now you're on this grand stage, you're performing in all kinds of countries around the world. People are loving what you're doing. Just a completely different atmosphere. How did that feel to make that transition?

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Well, completely different. I mean, first of all, Germany was a big. A big market. Holland and Belgium and Germany, they took off before I took off in England and in the uk and I saw I was spending a lot of time touring around Europe, you know, and then suddenly started hitting back in the uk, where I live. And that really changed my life. And we moved from a tiny little one bedroom flat that we lived in and bought a house. It changed our lives, you know.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Sure. And that's a great thing. Now, did you have anyone around you that might have given you suggestions and you look back at them or you think about it and you thought, what are they talking about?

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah, there were a few ones that you had. Because I've been in the business for a long time as a. Not as a nobody. I heard people saying, oh, I do this. I said, no, no, done. All that hasn't worked. And these were people that didn't know what they were talking about. So I was very fortunate. I got a good manager. And he was. He's also the manager of Peter Noon and Herman S. So he got the connections, if you know what I mean. Basically, Harvey, he changed my life.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Do you have any special place that you've performed that kind of holds a little something in your heart because of just the interaction or whatever the case may be? It might be just everything went well, A special night. Just something that maybe stands out to you.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

New Zealand. The first tour I did of New Zealand was an absolute sellout. And it was, I mean, a beautiful place, of course. And then Australia, of course. That, that was a place again that I used to do. I used to go to Sydney and do four weeks at a nightclub there for them, you know, it just changed my life. The world open suddenly.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, I certainly understand that now. As you were growing up, you was living in this small little town, everybody knew everyone. And then as you said, the world opened up. What went through your mind as you traveled this world, realizing that you was just this person from a small little town?

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Well, yeah. Well, it meant that we went from living in a little tiny little flat on the fifth floor to suddenly buying a house, four bedroom house on a lovely estate. It just changed our lives, you know. By this time we've got two children and it was, it was. It was, you know, absolute magic.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

You did another song, I think, for a TV show. Correct.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Phoenix Night. You know, Amarillo. Yeah. Well, Peter K. I'd met years ago in. In the nightclubs, you know, on the nightclub circuit. And he used it, he used to use it as his play on song. Was. Was my. Was me his play on music. Because he was a comedian. He used my Amarillo as his play on music on the Knots. Wife and I were living in Spain and suddenly we got this phone call. Amorous is taking off big time. Can you get back? We're doing a tour we can put you a tour. And that was basically. I got back to the UK again and did a long, long tour and it changed my life again. Kept changing my minds.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

That's just an awesome journey. And that's the beauty of this music business. We can have something that we've done, it can sit there for a long time and then all of a sudden it resurfaces and it brings back and restarts your career all over again.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Absolutely. It's changed my life a few times. Yeah. It's always for the better. So, you know, I've been very, very fortunate being had great managers, great songs given to me, you know, worked with some great producers. So I'm very fortunate.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yes. Speaking of producers, I understand you're being produced in Nashville. I understand you've produced a new album. What is it called?

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

A New Life. Not A New Wife, A New Life. And I really got all the old stuff. Plus I did two songs that I've been singing on the cabaret circuit for donkey's years. Two songs that the audience used to go crazy about. One was Jezebel, the old hit I've re recorded, that's on the new album. And also Mr. Bojangles again, enough of that. I used to sing on live shows but never recorded, but now I've recorded them.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

That's great. It's always nice to put songs on that you'll really like to do. So how did it feel coming back to Nashville and recording not only your old songs, but laying down some tracks on new versions of other songs as well?

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

It was brilliant. I mean, the thing is that people don't realize it's so quick that the musicians are so good, you know?

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yes, I work with them consistently. Nashville has some of the best players in the world, that.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Guitar players. A bit good, isn't he? Kent Wells, Dolly Parton's musical director now.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, they're some of the best people to work with in the world.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

I'd like to gently shift the conversation to something a little more personal. Your health. I understand you've been navigating a diagnosis of dementia, which can be incredibly challenging. Could you share a little more about your experiences and, of course, how you're doing?

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah. For four, four and a half years ago, it was because I was always a crossword fanatic. A cryptic crosswords, that was my hobby. And suddenly we started having problems doing them. And so my wife said, let's go and see a doctor about it, because you started to forget things at the moment. And she did. They did X rays and all this on my head. And they said, yeah, you've got the beginnings of. I can't remember the word dementia. I forgot my word.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

And that's quite all right.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

So that was it about four years ago. And they said, you're very, very fortunate. You're in the music business. That's one of the things we recommend. People with it listen to lots of music and that. That helps to keep it. Keep it down. So I'm on tablets that they put me on four years ago, which is, you know, stopped it getting worse. It. Not cured it. The thing that. I mean. I mean, music that's helping.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

I always say that music is a powerful tool, and I'm glad that it's powerful to help you. So does it affect you with your lyrics and singing?

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

I. I have q. I have a. Auto cues.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Okay.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

On stage. But I've had that for 30 years because I. If you got like 40 or 50 songs you tried to do, you know, you can't remember all lyrics from your albums, you know, so I've always got that altar cues on the stage for me to. For the lyrics.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

I totally understand. Back when I was performing, I always had on stage with me what I used to call cheat sheets.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah, yeah. And cheat sheets.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

I used to have the lights shining down in just a certain way so that I could look down and remember at least most of the words. So I'm totally with you there.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah, yeah, I do. Because I. To me, if you make a mistake, you. You're. You're spoiling the show for this audience. So I'd rather have autocurrent a couple of TV screens on the. On the floor next to me, you know, with the words off.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah. You do what you need to do. As long as you're enjoying yourself and the people are enjoying you, that's all that matters.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

That's true. Yeah.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah. You know, you're out there performing, you're having a good time, and people are having a good time. That really is all that matters.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

And it's really great that you've got such loyal fans that follow you through thick and thin, through it all.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

It really is. I mean, I've had followers for 50, 60 years. They're still there following me. I owe money, but that doesn't matter.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, yeah, that's great. So planning on recording any new music anytime soon?

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

I am, yeah. I'm always, Always recording. Yeah, yeah, yeah, we're planning on that, yeah. Nashville.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Well, when you come to Nashville, let me know. I'll come down and see You.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Well, yeah, yeah, we will do. Yeah. Sean's got. Sean's got your details.

[Producer/Assistant]

Yeah, we'll sort out.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah. Sean, I'm sorry.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah. I'm just like you. I love being in Nashville, love working with the greatest musicians out there. It's just a pleasure to do business there. It's just awesome.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Oh, good.

[Producer/Assistant]

Well, we'll go to Ruth's, Chris, for a steak.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah. There you go.

[Producer/Assistant]

Last time we went with Brent Mason.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, that's great. I know Brent.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah.

[Producer/Assistant]

And that was actually. That wasn't from this session, actually. No, we did go. We did go with. But we went with Brent and his wives the last time we were there.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, that's great. Yeah. Great guy.

[Producer/Assistant]

He's a great guy. Yeah.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

And the good thing is they just get great music in that studio.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yes, exactly. Exactly. Yes. The best. I mean, the best.

[Producer/Assistant]

And it's what they leave out. Gerry Douglas played some incredible with on some of the Pastors, some incredible guitar, and he'd say, no, let me do that again and take all this amazing stuff out. And you go, no, because it doesn't serve the song. It's getting in the way of the vocal. That just is something that over here. Well, it's a different thing. It's a different thing. And over there, it's. It's just in the blood. They know, you know?

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah. It's something that people don't realize unless they see it actually happening.

[Producer/Assistant]

The first time we recorded at the Sound Emporium, we had Toto's bass player. I'm dreadful with names as well. So it was. It was Jeff Vaccaro and. And I can't remember his name, the bass player. But anyway, it was just amazing to see. He's got a baseball cap, sat with his back to the glass. I remember hearing that. He was said to the engineers and just plug that into the tape. Was straight into the tape machine, not through the desk. Didn't want anyone messing with the sound. He'd got it going through a lovely tube tech and all this stuff, and he went, just take me straight onto the. Put me onto the tape.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, that's great. The musicians are just phenomenal here. So once you got it all done, you put the music together. Did you actually release the album off that?

[Producer/Assistant]

Yes. 24 we still shine was. The album came out last year. We Still Shine and then we've recorded then It's a New Life. We did both albums in the same visit.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah. That's great. So how about touring? Anything on the books for that?

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Touring? Yeah.

[Producer/Assistant]

Tomorrow we're in London, the next night we're in Milton Keynes. We're doing all the press thing and the radio thing and now and then Friday back home, but we're doing radio interviews, press interviews, and then next week down to London to do TV show they call Loose Women, itv. And I'm just constantly touring now, all the way up to the end of the year and I've already started putting dates in next year.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

That's just so great to see him being so active singing.

[Producer/Assistant]

I just love to see Madame sing his. It's. I like to see the faces of the audience.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, the audience must be really spread out in age. I bet you're seeing his fans, his kids, his grandkids. Such a great group of people that are getting to enjoy his music all as a family.

[Producer/Assistant]

Well, we get generations. We get three generations, the grandparents of the kids and the grandkids. And we recently played in Dublin. My dad, actually, this was last year, the album had just come out, We Still Shine. He was looking down on the front row. There was like the grandparents, kids and the grandkids. And he did what was a new song off the title track, We Still Shine. And he looked down and the whole family was singing this song. The album had only been out a couple of weeks. They knew that. They knew the lyrics. He didn't. He's got auto cue, but he's always used.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Well, I'm glad that you're doing well. I'm glad that you're having all this success. It's just fun to do.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

It is. You know, I'm very fortunate at my age, I'm still 81 and I'm still working and doing well. Voice is still there. The knees are not as good. All that praying, you see? All that praying.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

There you go. There you go. That's awesome. I mean, to be 81 and to be able to go out and do what you love to do.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Plus you have all of those memories that you've done.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

I mean, when you look back on it, that's a pretty fulfilling life that you've had. And the best thing is you're still doing it.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

It is. I'm thankfully. Thank God, you know, my voice is still there.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, it's.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

It's still as good as it was, so that's awesome. If it's there, use it.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, that's right. Exactly. I mean, if you're healthy, you're enjoying life, you're loving what you do, that's what you need to do. Because once you hit 70, 8090 years old and you're still here. You've got a lot of things to reflect upon. I mean, my mother died just four months short of a hundred.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Oh, God. Really?

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah. And she used to tell me, I don't have any friends. And I always do. A teller, you've got all kinds of friends. But yet she really didn't because she had outlived most all of them.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

So for you to be 81, you look around yourself and you see who's there and who's not and still be doing what you love to be doing.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

I think that's just fantastic.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

It is, Absolutely. I mean, you know, thank God that I'm still. That my voice is still there. You know, it's good. And I'm working next week.

[Producer/Assistant]

It's his birthday on the 24th.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

24Th.

[Producer/Assistant]

25Th. 25th.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

But we're working, working on the 24th. It's my birthday on the 22nd. 82nd birthday.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

That's awesome.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

And I'm still.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

The old saying is if you're doing something that you enjoy, then you're really not working at all.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah, yeah. No, no. And I enjoy what I do.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Music is a passion. Not only do you get out there to do what you like to do, you get to do it in front of people that love to see what you do.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah, I'm blessed. I'm blessed.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

I truly enjoy talking about music and their passion for it, especially yours.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Is there any one song that, when you look back at things that just kind of comes to the top, sticks in your mind? Even though it might not have been a huge hit for you, it was one of your favorites.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah, Jimmy. So Deep is the Night.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, sure.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Do Chopin's Twist Test. That's the song so Deep is the Night. And I've been singing that song from the 60s when I was in. When I was in a group. Tony, Christine, the Trackers. And that was my big song that used to kill the audience.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Oh, that's awesome. I bet it's a great memory as well. What I love about what you're doing is you've done it for so many years and you can hear it in your voice that your passion is still there for it.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Oh, God. Yeah.

[Producer/Assistant]

This I got to create a story about that. We were at awards doing in London, and Tom Jones was there, and Tom said to dad, he said that song so Deep as the Night, he says, I wore that thing out. He says, I wore the record out playing it, so it was one of his favorites.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

That's awesome. What a great thing to hear.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

That's another thing we have to bring up. You've been around for so long and you've been around so many well known celebrities. It's always nice when the other stars that you know and performed with make comments that they like your music. Like they do this.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Absolutely. I'm very fortunate. I've got the good friends in the show business and they've all been nice.

[Producer/Assistant]

Neil Lieber and Neil Sadaka sent a lovely message just last week after hearing the new album. But this is true. They sent the most lovely email about the new album and said. And said thank you, Tony, for giving Is this the Way Flamorillo A Third Life. Because obviously the first live shows when he was first in it then in 2005 and just hearing it the way it's done now, it just. They loved it.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Have you had any opportunities to sing with other stars that you've known? Because I think that would be something people would love to hear as well.

[Producer/Assistant]

That would be love. We haven't did you sang at the Albert Hall. Is this the Way Van Renner with Sadaka.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

With the new Sadaka.

[Producer/Assistant]

Yeah, Just piano and the two of them.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Piano and that was it.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah. That sounds nice.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Brilliant. Storm absolutely stormed them, the audience.

[Producer/Assistant]

That would be great. I've always wanted dad to sing with Tom Jones.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, that would be an awesome show.

[Producer/Assistant]

Neil Sadaka would be great, you know.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah.

[Producer/Assistant]

Like an old, old time Rat Pack thing.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, that'd be great. Yeah. I think you should put that together. I think that would be a show that would be a night to remember for everyone.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

I would think so. Yeah.

[Producer/Assistant]

Great title as well, wouldn't it? A Night to Remember.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

When you do that, make sure I'm there because I did come up with the title.

[Producer/Assistant]

Well, we're hoping as well to get to Amareno. We want to play the Starlight Ranch. There's a. I'd film it if possible because we were supposed to do this back in 2019, but then Covid hit.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Right.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah.

[Producer/Assistant]

The tourist board invited my dad and my mom and myself in 2005 over to Amarillo because tourism went through the roof with the thong and a lot of the Europeans and English were going over and it was on Route 66, but they'd go through it, you know, and now they were stopping there. And the mayor, mayor Trent Sizemore Jr. III at the time, he bought my mom and dad a Stetson and cowboy. Cowboy boots and got the key, the key to Amarillo. And we've Never. And the thing is, because it's a country music town, they didn't really know this song. You know, they knew this song. Is it Amarillo in the Morning? Is it? Or early Amarillo?

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yes, Amarillo by morning.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Morning.

[Producer/Assistant]

Yeah. But they didn't know is this the way to Amarillo? But they do now. But now we're hoping now with this new version, it could be played on radio stations in Amarillo.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, that would be nice.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah.

[Producer/Assistant]

And we'll finally get him there and we'll do a show called this Is the Way to Amarillo.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, these are great ideas. You definitely need to make this happen.

[Producer/Assistant]

Well, we'll have to. We'll have to keep in touch because maybe, you know, people.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

You never know. I really tell you, this is great ideas. And, you know, the bottom line of everything is that the most important thing is that he's healthy and having fun doing it.

[Producer/Assistant]

Well, it's. I think the title of the album could be right. A New Life. We're making the absolute best of it. And dad has always said when he's asked, what is it that you're most proud of? And he always says, it hasn't happened yet.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, I love it. That's awesome. Not only that, he has just such a great attitude and a great demeanor about him.

[Producer/Assistant]

He's a gentleman. And we call him the quiet man. Family, my sisters, we used to learn one thing in his life. Every year he'd just suddenly slip out this thing. You go, what? You did that? You know, it's like he just doesn't like talking about himself or what happened. He wasn't very show busy. He didn't do the showbiz thing. He just got on with his. And he still does. He moved to the Midlands in the uk and the reason was, was that he'd got more chance of getting home every night after touring. Wherever they'll like that. But now we tour with my mom and sometimes my sister a lot of the time. So it's a family thing.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yeah, I think that's really nice. People are always getting wrapped up in becoming that next big star, but they tend to forget that when it all comes crashing down. The family is still there. And that loss of time is what keeps life moving forward.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Yeah.

[Producer/Assistant]

Yeah. Who can you turn to, you know.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

In this business, unfortunately, as both of you know, there's very few people that you can actually count on. Well, I have to say this has been a most interesting conversation and I've just truly enjoyed talking to the both of you. I really appreciate you taking the time to come onto the show today.

[Tony Christie (Guest Artist)]

Oh, it's been nice. Been a pleasure.

[Tony Mantour (Host)]

Yes, it's been my pleasure as well. Thanks again. Thanks for joining us today. We hope you enjoyed the show. This has been a Tony Mantour production. For more information, contact media plateau music.com.

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