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{{Short description|English rock band}}
{{EngvarB|date=December 2017}}
{{redirect|The Outer Limits (band)|other uses|The Outer Limits (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox musical artist|<!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
| name = Christie
{{Infobox musical artist
| image =
| caption =
| name = Christie
| image_size =
| image =
| background = group_or_band
| caption =
| alias =
| image_size =
| origin = [[Leeds]], Yorkshire
| alias =
| genre = Rock, [[pop rock]], [[blues rock]]
| origin = [[Leeds]], [[West Yorkshire]], England
| years_active = 1969–1976, 1990–present
| genre = [[Pop rock]], [[soft rock]]
| years_active = 1965–1976, 1990–present
| label = [[CBS Records International|CBS]] (UK)<br/>[[Epic Records|Epic]] (US)
| label = [[CBS Records International|CBS]] (UK)<br/>[[Epic Records|Epic]] (US)
| associated_acts =
| website = http://www.jeffchristie.com
| website = http://www.jeffchristie.com
| current_members = Jeff Christie<br />Simon Kay<br />Adrian Foster
| current_members =
* Jeff Christie
* Simon Kay
* Adrian Foster
| past_members =
| past_members = Vic Elmes<br/> [[Paul Fenton (musician)|Paul Fenton]]<br/>Lem Lubin<br/>Terry Fogg<br/>Roger Flavell<br/>Danny Krieger<br/>Tony Ferguson<br/>Roger Willis<br/>[[Kev Moore]]
* Vic Elmes
* Mike Blakley
* [[Paul Fenton (musician)|Paul Fenton]]
* Lem Lubin
* Terry Fogg
* Roger Flavell
* Danny Krieger
* Tony Ferguson
* Roger Willis
* [[Kev Moore]]
}}
}}


'''Christie''' is an English rock band that formed at the end of the 1960s. They are best remembered for their UK [[chart-topper|chart-topping]] [[hit single]] "[[Yellow River (song)|Yellow River]]", released in 1970.{{sfn|Roberts|2006|p=106}}
'''Christie''' are an English [[soft rock]] band that formed at the end of the 1960s. They are best remembered for their UK [[chart-topper|chart-topping]] [[hit single]] "[[Yellow River (song)|Yellow River]]", released in 1970,{{sfn|Roberts|2006|p=106}} which hit number one in 26 countries that year.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pingitore |first=Silvia |date=1 November 2020 |title=50 years from Yellow River, the song from Jeff Christie that sounds like The Beatles: interview |url=https://the-shortlisted.co.uk/jeff-christie-yellow-river-interview/ |access-date=26 July 2021 |website=the-shortlisted.co.uk }}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
In addition to Jeff Christie (born Jeffrey Christie, 12 July 1946, [[Leeds]], Yorkshire, England){{sfn|Murrells|1978|p=275}}{{sfn|Murrells|1984|p=303}} their vocalist, bassist and songwriter; they initially included guitarist [[Vic Elmes]]{{sfn|Murrells|1984|p=303}} and drummer Mike Blakley (born Michael Blakley, 12 January 1947, [[Bromley]], Kent, England, brother of [[Alan Blakley]]).{{sfn|Murrells|1984|p=303}}
In addition to Jeff Christie (born Jeffrey Christie, 12 July 1946, [[Leeds]], Yorkshire, England){{sfn|Murrells|1978|p=275}}{{sfn|Murrells|1984|p=303}} their vocalist, bassist and songwriter; they initially included guitarist [[Vic Elmes]]{{sfn|Murrells|1984|p=303}} and drummer Mike Blakley (born Michael Blakley, 12 January 1947, [[Bromley]], Kent, England, brother of [[Alan Blakley]]).{{sfn|Murrells|1984|p=303}}


Jeff Christie had initially worked with several bands, including [[The Outer Limits (band)|The Outer Limits]], who released "Just One More Chance" / "Help Me Please" (1967) and "Great Train Robbery" / "Sweet Freedom" (1968).<ref name="yellowriver.0catch.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.yellowriver.0catch.com |title=The website for JEFF CHRISTIE and his music |publisher=Yellowriver.0catch.com |accessdate=29 June 2014}}</ref>
Jeff Christie had previously worked with several bands, including The Outer Limits, who released "Just One More Chance" / "Help Me Please" (1967) and "Great Train Robbery" / "Sweet Freedom" (1968).<ref name="jeffchristie.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.jeffchristie.com/ |title=Jeff Christie|access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref>


In 1970, Jeff Christie offered his composition "[[Yellow River (song)|Yellow River]]" to [[The Tremeloes]].{{sfn|Murrells|1978|p=275}}
In 1970, Jeff Christie offered his composition "[[Yellow River (song)|Yellow River]]" to [[The Tremeloes]].{{sfn|Murrells|1978|p=275}}
They [[sound recording and reproduction|recorded]] it to release as a single but changed their minds as they were going more progressive as the seventies started. At the same time Tremeloes member Alan Blakely's brother Michael had a little group called the Epics and Alan wanted to give his brother a break.<ref>Interview with Band members from Christie: History of Yellow River</ref> They decided to get Jeff Christie to come down from Leeds and let him use the Tremeloes' backing track. The Epics became Christie with Jeff as the lead vocalist and the result was a UK number one [[Chart-topper|hit]] in June 1970, and subsequently No. 23 in the US, also accumulating more weeks (23) on the Hot 100 than any other entry on that chart completely inside 1970. It was a worldwide hit and was number one in 26 countries with global sales of over 30&nbsp;million.{{sfn|Murrells|1978|p=275}}
They [[sound recording and reproduction|recorded]] it to release as a single but changed their minds as they were going more progressive as the seventies started. At the same time Tremeloes member Alan Blakley's brother Michael had a little group called the Epics and Alan wanted to give his brother a break.<ref>Interview with Band members from Christie: History of Yellow River</ref> They decided to get Jeff Christie to come down from Leeds and let him use the Tremeloes' backing track. The Epics became Christie with Jeff as the lead vocalist and the result was a UK number one [[Chart-topper|hit]] in June 1970, and subsequently No. 23 in the US, also accumulating more weeks (23) on the Hot 100 than any other entry on that chart completely inside 1970. It was a worldwide hit and was number one in 26 countries with global sales of over 3&nbsp;million.{{sfn|Murrells|1978|p=275}}


The follow-up single from October 1970, "[[San Bernadino (song)|San Bernadino]]" (misspelled if referring to, for example, [[San Bernardino, California|San Bernardino]], California), reached UK Number 7<ref name="yellowriver.0catch.com"/> and Number 1 in Germany, but only US No. 100. Both tracks became flash songs on their eponymous debut album of that year, and it stayed on US [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] [[Billboard 200|200]] [[record chart|chart]] for ten weeks. But the [[Trio (music)|trio]] failed to sustain a lasting career, and Blakely was replaced by [[Paul Fenton (musician)|Paul Fenton]] (born 4 July 1946, Huddersfield, Yorkshire) just before the release of the band's second album, ''For All Mankind'' (1971).
The follow-up single from October 1970, "[[San Bernadino (song)|San Bernadino]]" (misspelled if referring to, for example, [[San Bernardino, California|San Bernardino]], California), reached UK Number 7<ref name="jeffchristie.com"/> and Number 1 in Germany, but only US No. 100. Both tracks became flash songs on their eponymous debut album of that year, and it stayed on US [[Billboard 200]] [[record chart|chart]] for ten weeks. But the [[Trio (music)|trio]] failed to sustain a lasting career, and Blakley was replaced by [[Paul Fenton (musician)|Paul Fenton]] (born 4 July 1946, Huddersfield, Yorkshire) just before the release of the band's second album, ''For All Mankind'' (1971).


Lem Lubin (ex-[[Unit 4 + 2]]) was added to the line-up after the release of ''Iron Horse'' (1972),<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p24164/biography|pure_url=yes}} |title=Biography by Bruce Eder |publisher=AllMusic |accessdate=8 December 2008}}</ref> but the title track proved to be the band's final [[hit single]]. The departure of Fenton and Lubin hastened the demise of the original line-up, but Jeff Christie returned with new members Terry Fogg (drums) (born Terrence George Fogg, 25 September 1945, Chesterfield, Derbyshire), Roger Flavell (bass), and Danny Krieger (guitar). A 1974 single "Alabama" / "I'm Alive" failed to resurrect the band's fortunes, and new members Tony Ferguson (guitar) and Roger Willis (drums) were brought in to join Christie and Flavell. "[[JoJo's Band]]", written by Elmes, was a major hit for Christie in [[Argentina]] and [[Brazil]], while the last Christie hit, "Navajo", was Number 1 in [[Mexico]].<ref name="yellowriver.0catch.com"/> In 1982 Vic Elmes enlisted Mick Blakely and Peter Morrison of NYPL, to tour Germany on a package tour. At the end of the tour, the band folded. The band recorded an Elmes song, Deep in the Night, produced by Alan Blakely.
Lem Lubin (ex-[[Unit 4 + 2]]) was added to the line-up after the release of ''Iron Horse'' (1972),<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p24164/biography|pure_url=yes}} |title=Biography by Bruce Eder |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=8 December 2008}}</ref> but the title track proved to be the band's final [[hit single]]. The departure of Fenton and Lubin hastened the demise of the original line-up, but Jeff Christie returned with new members Terry Fogg (drums) (born Terrence George Fogg, 25 September 1945, Chesterfield, Derbyshire), Roger Flavell (bass), and Danny Krieger (guitar). A 1974 single "Alabama" / "I'm Alive" failed to resurrect the band's fortunes, and new members Tony Ferguson (guitar) and Roger Willis (drums) were brought in to join Christie and Flavell. "JoJo's Band", written by Elmes, was a major hit for Christie in [[Argentina]] and [[Brazil]], while the last Christie hit, "Navajo", was Number 1 in [[Mexico]].<ref name="jeffchristie.com"/> In 1982 Vic Elmes enlisted Mick Blakley and Peter Morrison of NYPL, to tour Germany on a package tour. At the end of the tour, the band folded. The band recorded an Elmes song, Deep in the Night, produced by Alan Blakley.


Jeff Christie reformed the band in 1990 with members of UK band Tubeless Hearts, [[Kev Moore]], Simon Kay and Adrian 'Fos' Foster. Tubeless Hearts tried to represent [[United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1991]] with a Jeff Christie song, "Safe in your Arms", but were unsuccessful.<ref name="yellowriver.0catch.com"/> They continued to [[concert tour|tour]] for a further 16 years all over Europe, Russia and [[Israel]], recording intermittently. Following the release of Jeff Christie's ''Floored Masters'' [[double album]], the 1990 line-up of Christie embarked on a 2009 European Tour. In 2012, a Christie double album, ''No Turn Unstoned'', was released, a collection of Christie demos and unreleased songs.<ref name="yellowriver.0catch.com"/>
Jeff Christie reformed the band in 1990 with members of UK band Tubeless Hearts, [[Kev Moore]], Simon Kay and Adrian 'Fos' Foster. Tubeless Hearts tried to represent [[United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1991]] with a Jeff Christie song, "Safe in your Arms", but were unsuccessful.<ref name="jeffchristie.com"/> They continued to [[concert tour|tour]] for a further 16 years all over Europe, Russia and [[Israel]], recording intermittently. Following the release of Jeff Christie's ''Floored Masters'' [[double album]], the 1990 line-up of Christie embarked on a 2009 European Tour. In 2012, a Christie double album, ''No Turn Unstoned'', was released, a collection of Christie demos and unreleased songs.<ref name="jeffchristie.com"/>


==Band members==
==Band members==
===Current members===
===Current members===
*Jeff Christie - vocals, bass (1969–1976, 1990–present)
*Jeff Christie – bass, vocals, keyboards (1969–1976, 1990–present)
*Simon Kay - guitar (1990–present)
*Simon Kay guitar (1990–present)
*Adrian Foster - drums (1990–present)
*Adrian Foster drums (1990–present)


===Former members===
===Former members===
*Vic Elmes - guitar (1969–1973)
*Vic Elmes guitar (1969–1973)
*Mike Blakley – drums (1969–1970) <!-- adding ref for change made by unlogged user --><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jeffchristie.com/mike%20articles.html#:~:text=Mike%20Blakley's%20departure%20made%20the,%2Dthe%2Dscenes%20in%20pop.|title=Mike Blakley's departure made the news in all the music papers.|author=<!--Not stated--> |date= <!--Not stated--> |website=jeffchrisite.com|publisher=<!--Not stated--> |access-date=15 July 2020 |quote=<!--Not stated-->}}</ref>
*Lem Lubin - bass guitar (1972–1973)
*[[Paul Fenton (musician)|Paul Fenton]] – drums (1970–1973)
*Roger Flavell - bass guitar (1973–1976)
*Danny Krieger - guitar (1973–1976)
*Lem Lubin – bass guitar (1972–1973)
*Terry Fogg – drums (1973–1974)
*Tony Ferguson - lead guitar (1974)
*[[Kev Moore]] - bass guitar (1990–2003)
*Roger Flavell bass guitar (1973–1976)
*Danny Krieger – guitar (1973–1976)
*[[Paul Fenton (musician)|Paul Fenton]] - drums (1971–1973)
*Tony Ferguson – lead guitar (1974)
*Michael Blakley - drums (1969–1971)
*Terry Fogg - drums (1973–1974)
*Roger Willis drums (1974–1976)
*[[Kev Moore]] – bass guitar (1990–2003)
*Roger Willis - drums (1974–1976)


==Discography==
==Discography==

===Albums===
===Albums===

* ''Christie'' (1970)
* ''Christie'' (1970)
* ''For All Mankind'' (1971)
* ''For All Mankind'' (1971)
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===Singles===
===Singles===
'''Jeff Christie with The Outer Limits'''
;
;Jeff Christie with [[The Outer Limits (band)|The Outer Limits]]
* "When the Work Is Thru'" (1967)
* "When the Work Is Thru'" (1967)
* "Just One More Chance/Help Me Please" (1967)
* "Just One More Chance/Help Me Please" (1967)
* "Great Train Robbery/Sweet Freedom" (1968)
* "Great Train Robbery/Sweet Freedom" (1968)
;
;Christie


'''Christie'''
* "[[Yellow River (song)|Yellow River]]/Down the Mississippi Line" (1970) – [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] No. 1
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
* "[[San Bernadino (song)|San Bernadino]]/Here I Am" (1970) – UK No. 7
! rowspan="2" scope="col" style="width:17em;" | Title
* "Man of Many Faces/Country Sam" (1971) – Germany No. 2
! rowspan="2" scope="col" style="width:2em;" | Year
* "Everything's Gonna Be Alright/Freewheeling Man/Magic Highway" (1972)
! colspan="10" |Peak chart positions
* "Peace Lovin' Man/Picture Painter" (SE Asia only) (1972)
|-
* "Iron Horse/Every Now and Then" (1972) – UK #47{{sfn|Roberts|2006|p=106}}
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" | [[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|title=CHRISTIE {{!}} full Official Chart History {{!}} Official Charts Company|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/14027/christie/|access-date=13 February 2022|website=www.officialcharts.com}}</ref>
* "Fools Gold/Born to Lose" (1973)
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" | [[Kent Music Report|AUS]]<br /><ref name="autogenerated1993">{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|title=[[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970–1992]]|publisher=Australian Chart Book|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|location=[[St Ives, New South Wales|St Ives]], N.S.W.|pages=63|author-link=David Kent (historian)}}</ref>
* "The Dealer (Down and Losin')/Pleasure and Pain" (1974)
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" | [[Ultratop|BEL<br />(FL)]]<br/><ref>{{cite web|title=ultratop.be - Ultratop Belgian Charts|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/search.asp?cat=s&from=&to=&artist=christie&artist_search=starts&title=&title_search=starts|access-date=13 February 2022|website=www.ultratop.be}}</ref>
* "Alabama/I'm Alive" (1974)
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" | [[GfK Entertainment charts|GER]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|title=Suche – Offizielle Deutsche Charts|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/suche|access-date=13 February 2022|website=www.offiziellecharts.de}}</ref>
* "JoJo's Band/California Sun" (South America only) (1974)
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" | [[Irish Singles Chart|IRE]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|title=The Irish Charts – All there is to know|url=http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement|access-date=13 February 2022|website=irishcharts.ie}}</ref>
* "Navajo/Guantanamera" (1975) – Mexico No. 1
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" | [[Dutch Single Top 100|NL]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|title=Dutch Charts – dutchcharts.nl|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/search.asp?cat=s&artist=christie&artist_search=starts&title=&title_search=starts|access-date=13 February 2022|website=dutchcharts.nl}}</ref>
* "Most Wanted Man in the USA/Rockin' Suzanna" (1976)
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" | [[VG-lista|NOR]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|title=norwegiancharts.com – Norwegian charts portal|url=https://norwegiancharts.com/search.asp?search=christie&cat=s|access-date=13 February 2022|website=norwegiancharts.com}}</ref>
;
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" | [[New Zealand Listener|NZ]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|title=flavour of new zealand – search listener|url=http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qartistid=1256#n_view_location|access-date=13 February 2022|website=www.flavourofnz.co.nz|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501191826/http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qartistid=1256#n_view_location|url-status=dead}}</ref>
;Jeff Christie solo
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" | [[Swiss Hitparade|SWI]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|title=Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade – hitparade.ch|url=http://swisscharts.com/search.asp?cat=s&from=&to=&artist=christie&artist_search=starts&title=&title_search=starts|access-date=13 February 2022|website=swisscharts.com}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;" | [[Billboard Hot 100|US]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|title=Christie Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts|url=https://www.musicvf.com/Christie.art|access-date=13 February 2022|website=www.musicvf.com}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | "[[Yellow River (song)|Yellow River]]"
| rowspan="2" |1970
|1
|16
|1
|2
|1
|4
|1
|2
|4
|23
|-
! scope="row" | "[[San Bernadino (song)|San Bernadino]]"
|7
|42
|—
|5
|4
|—
|5
|6
|1
|100
|-
! scope="row" | "Man of Many Faces"
| rowspan="2" |1971
|—
|—
|—
|48
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
! scope="row" | "Everything's Gonna Be Alright"
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
! scope="row" | "Iron Horse"
| rowspan="2" |1972
|47
|—
|—
|47
|—
|13
|10
|—
|—
|—
|-
! scope="row" | "Fools Gold"
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
! scope="row" | "The Dealer (Down and Losin')"
|1973
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
! scope="row" | "Alabama"
| rowspan="2" |1974
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
! scope="row" | "Joe Joe's Band" <small>(South America-only release)</small>
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
! scope="row" | "Guantanamera"/"Navajo" <small>(Italy and Americas-only release)</small>
| rowspan="2" |1975
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
! scope="row" | "The Most Wanted Man in the USA" <small>(Germany and Portugal-only release)</small>
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|—
|-
| colspan="12" style="font-size:85%" |"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
|}


'''Jeff Christie solo'''
* "Both Ends of the Rainbow/Turn On Your Love Light|Turn on Your Lovelight" (1980)
* "Both Ends of the Rainbow/Turn On Your Love Light|Turn on Your Lovelight" (1980)
* "Tightrope/Somebody Else" (1980)
* "Tightrope/Somebody Else" (1980)
* "[[Happy Xmas (War Is Over)|Happy Christmas (War Is Over)]]/Yuletide Lights" (1997)
* "[[Happy Xmas (War Is Over)|Happy Christmas (War Is Over)]]/Yuletide Lights" (1997)
* "Hattrick of Lions (Come on England)" (2010)
* "Hattrick of Lions (Come on England)" (2010)
* "You're Not There" with Lorenzo Gabanizza (2021)
* "I guess I am the only one" with Lorenzo Gabanizza (2022)
* "I don't want to live without you" with Lorenzo Gabanizza (2023)


==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart]]
*[[List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart]]
*[[List of 1970s one-hit wonders in the United States]]
*[[List of 1970s one-hit wonders in the United States]]
*[[1970 in music]]
*[[List of Epic Records artists]]
*[[List of Epic Records artists]]
*[[Bands and musicians from Yorkshire and North East England]]
*[[Bands and musicians from Yorkshire and North East England]]
Line 106: Line 262:


===Reference bibliography===
===Reference bibliography===
* {{cite encyclopaedia|ref=harv|article=Christie|encyclopedia=Million selling records from the 1900s to the 1980s: an illustrated directory|first=Joseph|last=Murrells|publisher=Batsford|year=1984|isbn=9780713438437}}
* {{cite encyclopaedia|article=Christie|encyclopedia=Million selling records from the 1900s to the 1980s: an illustrated directory|first=Joseph|last=Murrells|publisher=Batsford|year=1984|isbn=9780713438437}}
* {{cite book|ref=harv| first= Joseph
* {{cite book
| first= Joseph
| last= Murrells
| last= Murrells
| year= 1978
| year= 1978
| title= The Book of Golden Discs
| title= The Book of Golden Discs
| edition= 2nd
| edition= 2nd
| publisher= Barrie and Jenkins Ltd
| publisher= Barrie and Jenkins Ltd
| location= London
| location= London
| isbn= 0-214-20512-6}}
| isbn= 0-214-20512-6
| url-access= registration
*{{cite book|ref=harv| first= David
| url= https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr
}}
*{{cite book| first= David
| last= Roberts
| last= Roberts
| year= 2006
| year= 2006
Line 125: Line 285:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.yellowriver.0catch.com Christie official website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140701031638/http://www.yellowriver.0catch.com/ Christie official website]
*[http://www.yellowriver.0catch.com/songs.html Christie discography]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081224141924/http://www.yellowriver.0catch.com/songs.html Christie discography]
* {{discogs artist|Christie}}
* {{imdb name|1944816}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Christie}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Christie}}
[[Category:English rock music groups]]
[[Category:CBS Records artists]]
[[Category:CBS Records artists]]
[[Category:English soft rock music groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1969]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1969]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1976]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 1990]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Leeds]]
[[Category:1969 establishments in England]]

Latest revision as of 00:42, 22 April 2024

Christie
OriginLeeds, West Yorkshire, England
GenresPop rock, soft rock
Years active1965–1976, 1990–present
LabelsCBS (UK)
Epic (US)
Members
  • Jeff Christie
  • Simon Kay
  • Adrian Foster
Past members
  • Vic Elmes
  • Mike Blakley
  • Paul Fenton
  • Lem Lubin
  • Terry Fogg
  • Roger Flavell
  • Danny Krieger
  • Tony Ferguson
  • Roger Willis
  • Kev Moore
Websitehttp://www.jeffchristie.com

Christie are an English soft rock band that formed at the end of the 1960s. They are best remembered for their UK chart-topping hit single "Yellow River", released in 1970,[1] which hit number one in 26 countries that year.[2]

Career[edit]

In addition to Jeff Christie (born Jeffrey Christie, 12 July 1946, Leeds, Yorkshire, England)[3][4] their vocalist, bassist and songwriter; they initially included guitarist Vic Elmes[4] and drummer Mike Blakley (born Michael Blakley, 12 January 1947, Bromley, Kent, England, brother of Alan Blakley).[4]

Jeff Christie had previously worked with several bands, including The Outer Limits, who released "Just One More Chance" / "Help Me Please" (1967) and "Great Train Robbery" / "Sweet Freedom" (1968).[5]

In 1970, Jeff Christie offered his composition "Yellow River" to The Tremeloes.[3] They recorded it to release as a single but changed their minds as they were going more progressive as the seventies started. At the same time Tremeloes member Alan Blakley's brother Michael had a little group called the Epics and Alan wanted to give his brother a break.[6] They decided to get Jeff Christie to come down from Leeds and let him use the Tremeloes' backing track. The Epics became Christie with Jeff as the lead vocalist and the result was a UK number one hit in June 1970, and subsequently No. 23 in the US, also accumulating more weeks (23) on the Hot 100 than any other entry on that chart completely inside 1970. It was a worldwide hit and was number one in 26 countries with global sales of over 3 million.[3]

The follow-up single from October 1970, "San Bernadino" (misspelled if referring to, for example, San Bernardino, California), reached UK Number 7[5] and Number 1 in Germany, but only US No. 100. Both tracks became flash songs on their eponymous debut album of that year, and it stayed on US Billboard 200 chart for ten weeks. But the trio failed to sustain a lasting career, and Blakley was replaced by Paul Fenton (born 4 July 1946, Huddersfield, Yorkshire) just before the release of the band's second album, For All Mankind (1971).

Lem Lubin (ex-Unit 4 + 2) was added to the line-up after the release of Iron Horse (1972),[7] but the title track proved to be the band's final hit single. The departure of Fenton and Lubin hastened the demise of the original line-up, but Jeff Christie returned with new members Terry Fogg (drums) (born Terrence George Fogg, 25 September 1945, Chesterfield, Derbyshire), Roger Flavell (bass), and Danny Krieger (guitar). A 1974 single "Alabama" / "I'm Alive" failed to resurrect the band's fortunes, and new members Tony Ferguson (guitar) and Roger Willis (drums) were brought in to join Christie and Flavell. "JoJo's Band", written by Elmes, was a major hit for Christie in Argentina and Brazil, while the last Christie hit, "Navajo", was Number 1 in Mexico.[5] In 1982 Vic Elmes enlisted Mick Blakley and Peter Morrison of NYPL, to tour Germany on a package tour. At the end of the tour, the band folded. The band recorded an Elmes song, Deep in the Night, produced by Alan Blakley.

Jeff Christie reformed the band in 1990 with members of UK band Tubeless Hearts, Kev Moore, Simon Kay and Adrian 'Fos' Foster. Tubeless Hearts tried to represent United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1991 with a Jeff Christie song, "Safe in your Arms", but were unsuccessful.[5] They continued to tour for a further 16 years all over Europe, Russia and Israel, recording intermittently. Following the release of Jeff Christie's Floored Masters double album, the 1990 line-up of Christie embarked on a 2009 European Tour. In 2012, a Christie double album, No Turn Unstoned, was released, a collection of Christie demos and unreleased songs.[5]

Band members[edit]

Current members[edit]

  • Jeff Christie – bass, vocals, keyboards (1969–1976, 1990–present)
  • Simon Kay – guitar (1990–present)
  • Adrian Foster – drums (1990–present)

Former members[edit]

  • Vic Elmes – guitar (1969–1973)
  • Mike Blakley – drums (1969–1970) [8]
  • Paul Fenton – drums (1970–1973)
  • Lem Lubin – bass guitar (1972–1973)
  • Terry Fogg – drums (1973–1974)
  • Roger Flavell – bass guitar (1973–1976)
  • Danny Krieger – guitar (1973–1976)
  • Tony Ferguson – lead guitar (1974)
  • Roger Willis – drums (1974–1976)
  • Kev Moore – bass guitar (1990–2003)

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

  • Christie (1970)
  • For All Mankind (1971)
  • Iron Horse – unreleased (1972)
  • Los Mas Grandes Exitos (1972)
  • Navajo [released in Mexico] (1974)
  • Christie Again – Greatest Hits and More (2004)
  • Jeff Christie – Floored Masters (Past Imperfect) (2009)
  • Christie – No Turn Unstoned (2012)

Singles[edit]

Jeff Christie with The Outer Limits

  • "When the Work Is Thru'" (1967)
  • "Just One More Chance/Help Me Please" (1967)
  • "Great Train Robbery/Sweet Freedom" (1968)

Christie

Title Year Peak chart positions
UK
[9]
AUS
[10]
BEL
(FL)

[11]
GER
[12]
IRE
[13]
NL
[14]
NOR
[15]
NZ
[16]
SWI
[17]
US
[18]
"Yellow River" 1970 1 16 1 2 1 4 1 2 4 23
"San Bernadino" 7 42 5 4 5 6 1 100
"Man of Many Faces" 1971 48
"Everything's Gonna Be Alright"
"Iron Horse" 1972 47 47 13 10
"Fools Gold"
"The Dealer (Down and Losin')" 1973
"Alabama" 1974
"Joe Joe's Band" (South America-only release)
"Guantanamera"/"Navajo" (Italy and Americas-only release) 1975
"The Most Wanted Man in the USA" (Germany and Portugal-only release)
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Jeff Christie solo

  • "Both Ends of the Rainbow/Turn On Your Love Light|Turn on Your Lovelight" (1980)
  • "Tightrope/Somebody Else" (1980)
  • "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)/Yuletide Lights" (1997)
  • "Hattrick of Lions (Come on England)" (2010)
  • "You're Not There" with Lorenzo Gabanizza (2021)
  • "I guess I am the only one" with Lorenzo Gabanizza (2022)
  • "I don't want to live without you" with Lorenzo Gabanizza (2023)

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Roberts 2006, p. 106.
  2. ^ Pingitore, Silvia (1 November 2020). "50 years from Yellow River, the song from Jeff Christie that sounds like The Beatles: interview". the-shortlisted.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Murrells 1978, p. 275.
  4. ^ a b c Murrells 1984, p. 303.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Jeff Christie". Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  6. ^ Interview with Band members from Christie: History of Yellow River
  7. ^ "Biography by Bruce Eder". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
  8. ^ "Mike Blakley's departure made the news in all the music papers". jeffchrisite.com. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  9. ^ "CHRISTIE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  10. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 63. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  11. ^ "ultratop.be - Ultratop Belgian Charts". www.ultratop.be. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  12. ^ "Suche – Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  13. ^ "The Irish Charts – All there is to know". irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  14. ^ "Dutch Charts – dutchcharts.nl". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  15. ^ "norwegiancharts.com – Norwegian charts portal". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  16. ^ "flavour of new zealand – search listener". www.flavourofnz.co.nz. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  17. ^ "Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade – hitparade.ch". swisscharts.com. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  18. ^ "Christie Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved 13 February 2022.

Reference bibliography[edit]

  • Murrells, Joseph (1984). "Christie". Million selling records from the 1900s to the 1980s: an illustrated directory. Batsford. ISBN 9780713438437.
  • Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  • Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.

External links[edit]