Christie Biography
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 This UK pop trio was formed around vocalist, bass player and songwriter Jeff Christie (12 July 1946, Leeds, England), previously with several bands including the Outer Limits, who released 1967’s ‘Just One More Chance’/‘Help Me Please’ on the Deram Records label and the following year’s ‘Great Train Robbery’/‘Sweet Freedom’ for Instant Records. He teamed up with two members of the Epics, Vic Elmes (b. 10 May 1947, England; guitar) and Mike Blakley (drums), to form Christie. Signing a recording contract with CBS Records, the trio enjoyed a UK number 1 hit in May 1970 with the ebullient ‘Yellow River’. The song was initially intended for the Tremeloes, who featured Mike’s brother Alan Blakley, but when they prevaricated Christie decided to record it himself. The single also reached the US Top 30. However, although a follow-up, ‘San Bernadino’ reached the UK Top 10, the trio was unable to sustain a lasting career. Blakley was replaced by Paul Fenton (b. 4 July 1946, England) prior to the release of the band’s second album, For All Mankind. Lem Lubin (ex-Unit Four+Two) was added to the line-up for 1972’s Iron Horse, but the attendant 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), Roger Flavell (bass), and Danny Krieger (b. USA; 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. Jeff Christie finally pulled the plug on his band in 1976. He released two solo singles for the RK label in 1980, but since then has been content to write advertising jingles and appear on classic hits shows singing his greatest hits.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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This UK pop trio was formed around vocalist, bass player and songwriter Jeff Christie (12 July 1946, Leeds, England), previously with several bands including the Outer Limits, who released 1967’s ‘Just One More Chance’/‘Help Me Please’ on the Deram Records label and the following year’s ‘Great Train Robbery’/‘Sweet Freedom’ for Instant Records. He teamed up with two members of the Epics, Vic Elmes (b. 10 May 1947, England; guitar) and Mike Blakley (drums), to form Christie. Signing a recording contract with CBS Records, the trio enjoyed a UK number 1 hit in May 1970 with the ebullient ‘Yellow River’. The song was initially intended for the Tremeloes, who featured Mike’s brother Alan Blakley, but when they prevaricated Christie decided to record it himself. The single also reached the US Top 30. However, although a follow-up, ‘San Bernadino’ reached the UK Top 10, the trio was unable to sustain a lasting career. Blakley was replaced by Paul Fenton (b. 4 July 1946, England) prior to the release of the band’s second album, For All Mankind. Lem Lubin (ex-Unit Four+Two) was added to the line-up for 1972’s Iron Horse, but the attendant 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), Roger Flavell (bass), and Danny Krieger (b. USA; 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. Jeff Christie finally pulled the plug on his band in 1976. He released two solo singles for the RK label in 1980, but since then has been content to write advertising jingles and appear on classic hits shows singing his greatest hits.