Is this to way to Cannock? Amarillo singer backs under threat theatre before live show
Singer Tony Christie has backed an under threat live venue in Cannock where he will appear on Saturday night and has vowed not to let live performances be silenced.
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The 81-year-old will appear with a full live band at The Prince of Wales Centre in the middle of a run of shows billed as the Farewell Tour.
Speaking ahead of the gig, and one at Brierley Hill Civic Hall next month, the Sheffield born singer who now lives in Lichfield said as far as he was concerned it was far from farewell.
He said: "I love visiting the Midlands. I have great memories of The Wolverhampton Civic Hall and the Robin2 in Bilston and I am also looking forward very much to the Cannock and Brierley Hill shows.
"I understand the Prince of Wales is under threat with the redevelopment in Cannock going on but it would be a real shame if it were to close, we need these venues to keep live music and entertainment going."
The crooner and golf fan, who jokes his voice is still going even if his legs are failing, released album 'A New Life' in March which was recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville and features some of the best musicians music city has to offer.
He said the album inevitably has a country feel to it and contains re-imagined versions of some of his favourite songs including (Is This the Way To) Amarillo; I Did what I Did for Maria and 'Avenues and Alleyways.
"The new versions will feature in the live stage show along with the traditional ones the fans love to hear but it was definitely a new experience for me to record in Nashville, even though it is almost going back to my roots as a lot of the songs talk about America," he said.
After the Brierley Hill gig,on May 6, he will go to Germany for a run of eight dates before later this year performing in Belgium and Holland.
He said: "The album last year 'We Still Shine' which was the first new one in 12 years, did incredibly well in Germany although maybe it wasn't such a surprise as I have always been well received over there.
"Live performances keep me young, at heart anyway but it is always nice to come back to familiar venues where you often see old friends and the family will be with me.
"The meet and greets after the shows sometimes go on longer than the main event but it is lovely to see people and we always appreciate the support."
Limited tickets for the Cannock gig are still available here and for Brierley Hill here.
