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"It's Grant Christie, Jeff's cousin from Canada who now lives in Tampa, Florida.
   I was over in England to see Roger Waters there and spent some great times with Jeff. Jeff picked me up at the train station and we went hiking way up in the Yorkshire Moors.
   We went to this awesome pub afterwards where they brew a special beer, and then had dinner with more family.
   Kudos to you, Ray, on the website. I cannot believe what an unbelievably fantastic job you have done. Jeff says you know way more about him than he does. All the new stuff is really cool.
   My two daughters were tripping on the YouTube videos.
   Thank you so much for what you do!"

Grant Christie: Florida, USA

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Jeff Christie performed in Hamburg in September 2007, and of course there to meet him were Germany's two biggest fans, Antonie Griebl and Rainer Frank.
Antonie and husband Franz (left) with Jeff and Rainer, posing with Jeff's distinctive yellow guitar.	The three amigos: Jeff, Antonie and Rainer. The fans got together after meeting via this website.

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"When I was only 12 in 1970, my father passed away. A few weeks later, my uncle took me and my two smaller brothers to a fair to help ease the pain. There was a van set up where visitors could request songs for about 20c each. 1970 was such a great year for pop songs, and there were so many to choose from, but I chose Yellow River and San Bernadino, because they were the ones I found the most uplifting and cheerful.
   I still remember the thrill I got when the songs were played and my name was read over the PA system .. along with many others who also requested the songs.
   Thanks, Christie, for bringing so much joy to me at a time when there was so much personal sadness."

W Tze Pin: Malaysia

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"4 stars! Yellow River is simple and efficient, it's one of those supercatchy tunes you will never forget in your whole life.
   Sometimes I think that this song was a model for Texarkana from the REM album Out Of Time. They even recorded an enthusiastic cover version of Yellow River and released it in 2001 on their CD single All The Way To Reno."

Communique: rateyourmusic moderator

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"Please give my regards to the boys and do let me know if ever they are playing near London, would love to go along and see them again.
   I recall vividly hitch-hiking with a friend to Leeds to Jeff's parents house on his birthday to give him a birthday present, then hitch-hiking back and being in a crash!"

Roz Fleetwood: inaugural Christie fan club president

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"I'm 46 and Christie music is a part of my sweet childhood. I love the first album especially."

Rinat Ibragimov: Moscow, Russian Federation

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"Yellow River is a timeless classic. I remember listening to it when I was a senior in high school. I bought the 45 single.
   The lyrics about finding a place of contentment after the war are great.
I think we are all searching for a Yellow River."

Neil Rice: USA

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"Thank you very much for your wonderful website!
  Could I please get a personal autograph from Mr Christie for Ruth and could you please send it to my address?"

Ruth Aytekin: München, Germany

You never know, Ruth ... maybe you can get one from him when he performs in Hamburg. - Ray

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"In the year of 1970, for the first time I saw to the trio Christie on TV.
  It was the year of World Cup football here, and Yellow River was played on all the radio stations. A TV channel showed videos of the fashionable groups of the moment, including Christie.
  I enjoyed the hits about San Bernardino, then horse of steel and finally the pool where cattle drink.
  I had the opportunity to see to the group in November of 1974. I have several discs, with different front covers of the group.
  On Sunday, November 10, l974, I remember Jeff Christie wearing white trousers, broad belt and red sweater red. When he played at 6 pm, I was finally seeing the man whom I had been reading about."

Gabriela Reyes Jandete: Mexico

Pool where cattle drink? Who can guess what Gabriela is referring to? - Ray

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There's a great blog site called freakytrigger, on which members discuss the merits of the great pop hits of the past. And of course, Yellow River is one of them: "Yellow River has a story if you're looking — man coming home after a war — but content is supremely irrelevant next to the song's urgent march-time bounce. What I like most about it, beyond its more-than-serviceable hook, is the rapid-fire fingerpicked guitar threading through the second verse and the coda, a trace memory of the folk or country song it might have been in some parallel world. It's rare that a slow acoustic cover version might suit a song (not improve it, mind), but Yellow River might be one such case." Tom: USA "I love this little record. Such bounce to Yellow River, such determination to get where you need to end up! Such drive! With its references to suviving a war, this managed to convey a smidgin of socio-political oomph for me as an 11-year old immersed in the Vietnam disputes on the home front in America, circa 1970. Much of it was in that terrific finger-picked guitar, a little was in the exhilaration in the singing, and the rest was in the drummer, who wants to get home so badly, he can¹t help but speed up the beat in a couple places." WWolfe: USA "In some ways this was a poor man's Creedence Clearwater Revival, with some oblique references to what could be Vietnam. This was actually recorded by the Tremeloes first. Christie took their backing track and put new vocals on top, so I guess its the Trems' drummer anxious to speed it up." Bramble: USA "I never realized until the past few days that Christie were a British group. For some reason I thought them Canadian. But wwolfe is right: to an American audience in 1970, the sentiments seemed to express some of the war-weariness encompassing the country.    I admit a great fondness British bubblegum that I simply can't find for the US variety. I've always found this sort of British pop much less infantile than its US counterpart. It wasn't trying to reach a sub-teen audience, it spoke of feelings and events that could very well be part of teen or young adult experience, and it wasn't sung by children. Yellow River, for what it's worth, is a fine piece of unpretentious, well-crafted pop. I would probably give it a 7 out of 10." Doctor Mod: USA "There was a French-language version by Franco-American crooner Joe Dassin (a man whose pop genius was at times almost Abba/Boney M/Moroder-worthy, if, uh, somewhat more sedate) and that's the one I grew up on. I love the Christie version, it's got one of those great melodies that are early 70s K-Tel pop's great gift to the world. It's worth at least a high 9 to me." Marcello Carlini: USA

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"I received the Instant Karma CD in the mail today, with The Great Train Robbery on it. Based on what I'm hearing, the tune has beautiful harmonies enabling Jeff Chrsitie to sing higher than he perhaps was able to in his own Christie group."

Jens Koch: via the internet

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"An explanation of the Christie EP cover. It was taken in Singapore. Christie were brought in by Singaporean company Quill International.
  I was at the show and recall Jeff Christie performing in bare feet at the National Theatre. The closing song was of course Yellow River.
  I know and have seen some pictures from the show, and will let you know if I can relocate them."

Vernon Cornelius: Singapore

Vernon was a member of the Quests, one of Singapore's top pop bands in the 60s! - Ray

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"I met up with Jeff as a friend from time to time when we were both living in South Kensington around 1971/72. This picture is of me in my flat back then.
  We first met on a ship going to Sweden. Jeff was going to do some gigs in Finland and Sweden and I was visiting my family for midsummer in Finland.
  I've never actually been to Christie gig. I had to spend time with my family when Jeff played at the 'Blueberry Island' gig, in Finland. I saw him play briefly at a London Club in the 70s, though. I love rhythm and blues, so I guess we have that in common.
  I find Jeff a very easy person to talk to, especially about spiritual things.
One thing that comes to mind is his popularity world-wide in 1971. When I met him on the liner to Gothenburg, I must say I didn't know so much about him. I had of course heard Yellow River by then. Much to Jeff's protestations I requested this song to be played where we were sitting and the DJ played it! I hadn't expected it to be there, but it was! He was popular!
  Anyway, when I got to Finland and spent midsummer at my uncle's country place, my cousins and I all went to this 'barn dance' on one of the islands. What should they be playing most of the time, with everybody singing and dancing to the song ... but Yellow River!!
  It was a really catchy tune and this was being played in the wilds of Finland, over and over again. I did feel very happy for Jeff at that moment! I didn't have to go to Blueberry Island to hear him play!
  And they still do music, especially rock'n'roll gigs there! Funny if Jeff had a gig there, too!? I would probably attend this time for old time's sake!
  I also found Jeff very humble when I saw him just after he had won his Ivor Novello Award. He doesn't have any airs and is a very considerate person.
  One night he rang me when I lived in Cranley Gardens and wondered if I was alright. There had just been a news item that somebody had been murdered a few doors away from me. As he hardly knew me at the time, I thought that showed him as compassionate and caring!"

Catharine McNicholas: Surrey, UK

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"I'VE known Yellow River and San Bernadino for a long time, but believe it or not, I didn´t knew who sang these nice songs. When these songs came out, I was too young (born September 1961) to listen to English songs — I was only listening to German folk-songs.
  My love of English music begun first in 1974. A few years ago, I saw on TV an oldie-show and Jeff was with the new Christie on stage. I was like hypnotised!
  And the best! Last year I saw a repeat on TV, from Disco ´71, with Christie singing San Bernadino. Actually I saw not too much of Jeff, because he was covered with hair, hat and tweed coat. Only a joke! It was great! I recorded it on DVD.
  Since then I can´t get enough of Jeff's wonderful voice, lyrics and great melodies. He is really good-looking and when he is smiling, it´s like sunshine.
  I bought all CDs, LPs and singles I could find and also the Instant Karma CD which contains The Great Train Robbery and Sweet Freedom, and a few days ago the Formula Diablos CD.
  Every day I´m listening to these songs, it makes me so happy. My husband and my three children are teasing me, because of my Christie passion.
  My favorite songs are Inside Looking Out, For All Mankind, Navajo (sounds so lovely), Man of Many Faces, If Only, Freewheelin´ Man, San Bernadino, and, and, and ............ so many!
  When is Jeff's next appearance in Germany? I hope he comes to Bavaria. I´m a country woman and I live near the border to Austria in south- east Bavaria and it would be a long, long way to drive to northern Germany. If Jeff plays there, I'm not able to see him. This makes me very sad.
  When is Jeff coming out with a new CD? I need more songs from him. Otherwise I can´t survive!"

Antonie Griebl: Bavaria, Germany

Dear Antonie: Welcome to the club of people who appreciate the genius of Jeff Christie's songwriting! We know how you feel - Ray

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"Coming from Leeds, I remember The Tremmers very well, and then later when they changed their name to Outer Limits. I found myself in a line-up for currency behind the Tremmers' Rod Brooks at a hotel in Tunisia about 15 years ago, and he was amazed that I could recognise him!!
  The Tremmers were virtually resident for a while at The Tahiti Club in Leeds. I met Jeff again at a school function about three years ago now and we chatted about the old days and he brought me up to speed with what he was doing — he seemed quite comfortable with what he was trying to do."

John Cave: Leeds, UK

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"Can I say what a great site this is, very interesting! I remember Yellow River when it came out; I was only 8 then!
  Were Jeff and the rest of the Outer Limits all born in Leeds in 1946 and does Jeff have a middle name .. or Mike or Vic?"

John H W: north-west London

All the Outer Limits members were from Yorkshire, but I doubt if they were all born in the same year. Vic's middle name is George; Jeff doesn't have a middle name! - Ray

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"The Outer Limits played at the very first dance I ever went to, at the Victory Club, Stocksbridge.
  I've been a fan ever since and my only regret is not having two of the concert programs when The Outer Limits supported Jimi Hendrix (best concert I have ever been to). I sent Jeff's mum my copy!!!.
  I used to know Christie fan club president Leonie Walsh and we used to go to gigs together when I lived in London.
  I still have my Christie scrapbook somewhere — they were great times!"

Barbara Wye: Sheffield, UK

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"To the members of Christie:
  I am VERY pleased to have found your website! I was searching CDnow, to see if Yellow River was out there on disc — I thought that it was just a shot in the dark, as I'd checked other times in the past, and found nothing — when I finally discovered tonight that lo, and behold, it's now available; I was jumping for joy!!!!
  I have the vinyl LP in my record collection. A loooonng time ago, my mom gave me the Yellow River album; that one has since been lost, and I replaced it later, after searching the used record stores for years! Recently, I have been wanting to get it on CD, and now, I can. How cool!!!!
  I'd always thought that Yellow River was the only album that Christie recorded. Well, now I know, thanks to the website, that there were other recordings, which I would surely like to have in my collection.
  I had always wished that John Fogerty would do a cover of one of Christie's songs. CCR had a special magic in their music ... I have always felt that Christie had a special magic in their music, as well. (Hey, we need some more Christie music, man!)
  Christie, thank you for your music!"

Dave Glass: c/o juno.com, USA

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"I saw this review of the For All Mankind Repertoire album in the magazine Classic Rock. It wasn't very good and it got me quite angry."

Johan Petur Niclassen: Faroe Islands

Let's put things in perspective first: Classic Rock is a magazine dedicated to "pure" rock'n'roll, from the Rolling Stones through to Metallica. Not the catchy, country pop sounds of a band like Christie. That's why it reviewed the second album, and not the first, because the band were wandering down a heavier rock path by the time of For All Mankind.
  That being said, the review in fact almost compliments Christie in a backhanded way. It says this in part:
  "If CBS had been smarter, they might have steered Christie towards being the new Creedence, judging by this second album which kicks with unexpected vigour, turning MOR pop into melodic rock." — Ray

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"Regarding the Repertoire version of the first Christie album: it's a shame they didn't include the B-side single version of Down the Mississippi Line, which is superior to the LP cut. And the mono mix of Yellow River would have been a logical addition as well. The bonus tracks of a few other single A-sides are pretty good."

Fredric A Cooper: Los Angeles, USA

Yes, the single version of Mississippi Line would have been a worthy inclusion, more so than the mono version of Inside Looking Out. Interesting that you like the single version better, though — it was recorded hastily and in one quick take, and the album cut was regarded as the "properly"-done version. — Ray

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"Hello to all and naturally to Jeff Christie!! Where can I get the videos of Yellow River and San Bernadino? The film with Christie as monks, I've seen on German TV when I was young, and now for some years I'm in search of it to see it again (VHS or DVD)."

Stefan: Germany

The videos have not been released commercially, except for a couple of different versions of the Yellow River clips, which you can find on various DVD compilations of 70s hits. — Ray

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"As the person in charge for the remasterings for Repertoire, it was a great delight and honour to work on the Christie songs, since Christie was one of my favourites back in the 70s when I was a youngster.
  I'm a musician myself, one of the founders of German electronics and Kraut Rock.
  We started out in the mid 60s, I played for nearly 20 years on stage, and also produced other bands for nearly three decades in my studios. Now in the autumn garden of my life, I concentrate on remasterings and really love to sit down for hours and hours, overlooking the countryside from my window and whip every little detail out of the recordings which the artists put so much energy into back then.
  I lived for some weeks here with all the great Christie tunes, either between my speakers or on my wireless headphones in the garden. So I put a little of my life into this great music, like Jeff Christie did before.
  All the best and lots of success with these wonderful reissues."

Eroc: Germany

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"I just purchased the two CDs of Christie's LPs, including the recent Repertoire CD with bonus tracks.
  For All Mankind is totally new to me, never having heard any of it before. I must say I am impressed with the second album. I particularly like I'm Alive — very good song.
  Also, was Iron Horse released as a single in the USA?"

Fred Cooper: Los Angeles, USA

Unfortunately for US fans, Mike, Iron Horse was not released as a single there. — Ray

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"Thanks for the Christie site ... ah, the memories!
  Actually I'm a great fan of Capability Brown and despair that neither of their two albums are currently available on CD.
  Perhaps other fans feel the same? How can we change this sad state of affairs — can anyone please help?"

Irving Levy: UK

That sounds like a job right up the alley of Repertoire Records, the reissue specialists who have just put out Christie's two albums plus bonus songs. Contact them to see if they can help. — Ray

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"Thank you for your great site. I found a lot of information on Christie which was very interesting to me.
  Joe Dassin, the famous french singer (born in San Francisco, California) was extremely popular here in Russia.
  In fact I'd first heard his cover of Yellow River, L'Amerique, way before I heard the original."

Dmitri Zenkov: St Petersburg, Russia

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"I just picked up an LP (A1 condition) copy of Yellow River beside a dumpster.
  Reading the credits, I see that Mike Smith produced it. Is that the Dave Clark 5's Mike Smith???"

Beau Travis: California, USA

The Mike Smith who produced Christie's album is not the same person who played with the Dave Clark 5, but a very well-known producer who engineered many well-known hits of the 60s and 70s. Coincidentally, Jeff knows the DC5 member well. He relays the sad news that Mike is currently hospital-bound after falling off a ladder at his house in Spain and injuring himself badly. — Ray

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"For several years now I have been a regular visitor to your great Christie website. It is a pleasure to see it growing, containing more and more information, pictures, etc.
  Christie is very special to me, because Yellow River was the first single I ever bought at the age of 10, and I still have that original single. I also bought both of their albums on CD, and I hope the long-awaited double CD package with all Christie songs will soon see the light of day.
  Keep up the good work!"

Andreas Grimmig: gmx.net

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"Good morning!
  I'm a little Christie fan because I'm 16! But I like rock bands of the 60s and 70s.
  Christie is one of my favourite bands. Their music is really magic for me."

Alla: Russia

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"I couldn't believe the REM version of Yellow River when I first heard it, it was so un-REM, but it's a brilliant and upbeat song and it really fits Mike MiIls' voice.
  When we first heard it, we were humming the song all day.
  It stuck in our heads "Yellow river .... Yellow river .... Is in my mind and in my eyes .... la la lala la la lala ......"

Garrett and Alexandra: REM fans

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"Christie definitely had a big influence on the development of rock music in the Iron Curtain countries, especially after their appearance at Sopot.
  One of the first groups to have formed in the USSR as a result was Poyuschie Gitary (The Singing Guitars), and one of their first songs was a version of Yellow River in Russian, called Song About Karlson.
  They re-recorded the song for an album and called it The Fat Karlson."

Greg Ofman: Russia

Thanks to Greg, we have a sample of this historic song. — Ray

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"Just dropping you a note to say well done on the website.
  It is brilliant. All your hard work and efforts are appreciated.
  It's a pity that the website address is not easier to remember.
  I often find myself talking about the website and not being able to tell other people about the site because it's not such a catchy address.
  Do you have any plans to change the URL?"

Nick Cosgrove: http://www.bbc.co.uk/

The URL has changed! Now it's very easy to remember.
  Along those lines, Nick, I think it's about time the BBC dug out an old Christie clip and featured it on the video section of the site.
  And Christie afficiniados should check the clip for In Zaire. You can see Roger Flavell bopping around as part of Johnny Wakelin's band. — Ray

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"Yellow River is a great song that doesn't get played on oldies radio nearly enough anymore. I used to hear it all the time and I remember looking all over to find out who sang it and when it came out.
  Anyway, not long ago I found a copy of the Yellow River album in Allegro Music in Portsmouth, Ohio. It's a solid album with a softer Creedence feel to it — an English trio trying to sound like a California band all around. But still some good songs.
  I may be biased because I like bubblegum and harmony pop. I even like a lot of the pre-disco '70s sludge like The Night Chicago Died, Billy Don't Be A Hero, and Saturday Night. I hope I'm not the only one."

David Coyle: Ohio, USA

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"I won tickets to a Christie concert in Brussels from a radio station. I won almost every time because I had a "secret system" to be the first on the phone each time! I was only 14 or 15 then.
  So I went to see a lot of acts between 1971 and 1973, including Who, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin two times, Jethro Tull, Byrds, Kinks ....
  Christie was a support act at the time ... unfortunately, the concert was let down by a terrible noise in the speakers.
  However, I liked their music — British swamp music with a touch of Creedence. The sound was very tinny that evening and I believe they were only playing with three members."

Beestie: Belgium

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"Christie had two good singles and hits in certain countries only, like Navajo, Number 1 in Spain, or Jo Jo's Band, a hit in South America.
  It's great that there is a brand new album of Christie songs released this year by Christie Again. Great music, great feelings."

Ala Bama: Germany

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"Christie's songs were beautiful, quick bubblegum beat. I also like the version of Yellow River by Middle Of The Road!"

Roger P: Germany

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"It was October 23, 1999, when we saw Christie live on stage in Germany. We had a real good time to see them live. After the gig we spent some time in the backstage area together with the band. It was fantastic. This is me with Christie lead guitarist Adrian Fos."

Jurgen Graw: Germany

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"I was going through the site and noticed many new photos and changes to some of the previous pages. It was really like going on a "magic highway". Thanks for loading up all these little treasures to find. I really enjoy going through the site to see what new things I can find!"

Lawrence: Brighton, UK

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"IT was hard to believe that the Top 40 pop act who gave us Yellow River would have the nerve and even the ability to crank out a monster of a heavy psych album one year later, but that's just what Christie did.
  For All Mankind, their brilliant second album, was a heavier, trippier, and rawer album than their Top 40 debut.
  The title track has been called the band's masterpiece, and it is indeed a stunning piece of work. Like prime Procol Harum, it boasts stately piano and organ playing, soaring vocals and an absolutely beautiful melody — and yes, I would certainly agree with those who think it's the band's masterpiece.
  But then again, for me, there's an even better track here — and for fans of aggressive mod freakbeat sounds like '66-67 Who or the Creation, you'll be blown away by the killer track Picture Painter, which in title and spirit very closely recalls the Creation's Painter Man, updated and improved four years later. It's a monster of a mod freakbeat psych track, with pounding rhythm and Pete Townshend-style slashing guitar licks. This would be on every UK psych freakbeat compilation if only more people knew about it!
  Elsewhere, the band goes all early heavy psych/progressive, as on the wailing Martian King, complete with some serious guitar soloing.
  So would you expect all this from the guys who gave you the bouncy pub singalong Yellow River? Of course not. But that's what makes tracking down rare albums such as this so rewarding."

Kathleendrive: Lands End, PA, USA

Jeff says this: "Picture Painter was indeed my tribute to The Creation's Painter Man, after working with them at a University gig in the 60s; maybe it was Leeds, but fingers tremble and the memory fades. Even so, isn't it great that someone out there picked up my 'message' and acknowledged it close to 40 years later!"

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"I hope to use San Bernadino with new lyrics to help commemorate that this year will be 100 years since the so called “great herring adventure” began in my hometown of Siglufjordur, which was in the first part of the last century called the Klondike of the north.
  The lyrics will not be a direct translation of the original lyrics, but are in fact new and are mainly about nostalgia, home sickness and life in general in Siglo (nickname for Siglufjord) when it was in its prime. The Icelandic title of the song is Heim á Sigló or Home to Siglo.
  The musicians playing will be some of the most respected names on the Icelandic music scene — for instance the bass player from the band Mezzoforte, Johann Asmundsson."

Leó R. Ólason: Reykjavík, Iceland

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"I visited your website and I may say it's brilliant, it's great to see all those old and new stuff, just wonderful. The band would be proud of your website.
  You're as addicted to Christie as I'm to Mungo Jerry."

Rob Kamphues: Netherlands

Indeed, Rob runs a wonderful website dedicated to Mungo Jerry.

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"I'm a Mexican fan of Christie. I knew Christie's music when I was 12 years old. Logically the first song I heard was Yellow River.
  In 1975 I bought the Mexican vinyl album that you talk about in the albums section. I like all the songs in this album. Later I had the opportunity to listen to Down the Mississipi Line. Another good song for me.
  Unfortunately no more Christie's records have been released in Mexico. I would like get all Christie's classic hits in their original versions. Do you know where can I buy these songs? I would like to buy them in mp3 format."

Eduardo Vargas Godoy: Mexico

All the songs are now out on CD!— Ray

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"I've been a high school teacher for 25 years and presently teach in the Anaheim Union High School District. For about 28 years I have been an amateur musician (mostly guitar) and songwriter. I did have two of my songs played on KLOS talent-searching radio, recorded by Kings Road in about 1985, and I made several 45s of these songs.
  I grew up in the 50s and 60s, so I think I have an understanding of American popular music. I consider the music of the 70s a positive inspiration of the 60s. Both the lyrics and the music were brilliant during these three decades.
  There's something unexplainable and special about that melody of Yellow River, so special, in fact, that I have spent 28 years, off and on, writing (alternative) lyrics for the song. It did not surprise me that the catchy tune went many weeks at number one. My evaluation is that Jeff created a great popular tune with excellent lyrics.
  The lyrics I created are still not perfect for they're a bit preachy; however, the lyrics do convey an atmosphere of hope, idealism, and inspiration - an upbeat energy that fit perfectly for the tune he created.
  I created a singing contest several years ago, paid each of the musicians, to sing my lyrics to the tune in a16-track studio. I even hired a lead singer from another band to be part of the competition. The winner captured the song brilliantly except perhaps the tonality of the instruments. I'm very proud of the demo. "

Mark Adams: USA

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"I was only 19 when I heard Yellow River by Christie and I instantly liked it. As I am French, many UK and US hits were immediately covered by our local artists and if they happened to record in the same company as the original hit, the radios (pushed by the record companies) would play the French covers first, even if they are worse than the original ones.
   Unfortunately that happened to Christie and the Tremeloes: they both recorded on the CBS record label, same as our French singer Joe Dassin.
   He covered Suddenly You Love Me (Sifflet sur la colline) and My Little Lady (Ma bonne étoile) from the Tremeloes, and Yellow River and Iron Horse from Christie (L'Amérique, and Cheval de fer). The Tremeloes and Christie went nowhere in France. We only heard Yellow River a little bit in late 1970 but Joe Dassin made three huge hits out of four (only Cheval de fer didn't go into the charts).
   I only have Yellow River and San Bernadino in two different CD compilations. I've got three vinyl singles — Yellow River, San Bernadino and Iron Horse — all in very good condition. I plan to burn Iron Horse from the single if I can't get it in CD.
   Congratulations on your website. It is very well done and complete."

Paul Collet: France

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"I'm an old Christie fan from the past and I was very happy to get the Greatest Hits and More album from a store here.
   I like very much the song Jo Jo's Band which I never heard before from Christie. Is this Vic Elmes singing? Why was this song not sold in Germany? Hallelujah for Jeff, Vic, Paul and Michael! They belong to my history.
   The songs of this Christie fan Lorenzo on the album are fantastic as well, Christie in a modern way but not too modern!"

Hein: Germany

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"The Christie Again CD is really super. Of course, Yellow River and San Bernadino do remind us of the good old times, but the new songs are at least just as good. Please keep on producing the good music."

Conny and Michael: Germany

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"Hello, Jeff. After some moving I dug up my old records and found my very first album — For all Mankind. I thought it was a great album then and I think it still is. Just listening to it brings back a lot of good memories. Memories of a time when I enjoyed a new album for months. And it seems yours will be in my collection for many more years.
   Thanks for this nice piece of music and all the best and greetings from a very old fan."

Joop Schiereck: Netherlands

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"I wonder if the guys still remember that they were a couple of days playing in Argentina...
   They played in my town!!! At the Club Universitario in La Plata ... a night that is STILL remembered...
   Now we're paying our tribute to them with our band Sharap playing Yellow River for those who still remember those good old days.
   People get crazy about it every time we play it. It's good to know that they're still playing ...
   Hope you still remember us, guys!!!"

Guillermo: La Plata, Argentina

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"Can you tell me what Jeff Christie is doing these days ?
   Retired from music? Is a reunion show likely?
   Not sure if he still is in touch with the other members of his band.
   Any information is much appreciated, thanks a lot."

B E H J A N: Germany

I think you can find the answers to all your questions by reading the various articles and interviews on this site. Jeff has not retired and is still writing songs. — Ray

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"Where can I buy the three Christie CDs and the songs of any other related groups like the Epics?"

Mark Ritucci: baesystems.com

This is an often-asked question, see here for assistance. As for The Epics, a couple of their songs have been released on the Nuggets series released by Rhino Records; available via various Internet sources like Gemm, Music Stack, or Amazon. — Ray

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German fan Rainer Frank has sent in more photos of himself and his friends, having a chat with Jeff after he performed at a German TV show in 1998; and a photo of him with Jeff and another well-known celebrity.

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"I grew up with the music of Christie in England in the 70s, and later on, the glam rock years (I think I still have the platform boots!). We relocated to the US in the 80s, but I always have fond memories of my English upbringing, when catchy pop songs ruled the charts.
   I bought all the Christie singles. The first album was one of my most cherished treasures, containing all those great country pop songs. I still think Christie shouldn't have diverted to the heavier sound on their second album. I read from the articles on this site that Christie wanted to play more progressive music so they would be respected more as serious musicians. This was not necessary. Christie had such a strong fan base who loved their singalong songs, that they should have stuck to the formula throughout.
   There is no shame in playing catchy, commercial songs. Look at groups like Abba and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Their legacy lives on, they are regarded as masters of their art. Christie could have been in the same league.
   I'm happy to hear Jeff is still writing. Maybe he can recapture the sound of those great songs, and either record them himself, or offer them to some of today's rising music stars."

Gus Brewster: Massachusetts, USA

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"Hi, I play in a local band and you would be amazed at the number of requests we get for San Bernadino. Problem is, I need the tabs and chords. Can you help?"

Mike Butcher: UK

Sheet music for all Jeff's songs are available through his company Christabel Music. Just let me know if you are seeking any particular song and I will forward the request/order.
   PS. By the way, Mike, Jeff says San Bernadino sounds best in E major. — Ray

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"Thank you so much for the samples of Jeff's solo songs. I agree that Turn To Stone is lovely, I think it would sound great sung by a soulful diva. Thanks also for sending me Navajo. Jeff always picked good songs to cover and the arrangements are well done."

Kane Davis: temporarily in France

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"I have visited this site quite often, read almost every part of it, printed out lyrics and listened to music samples. I am happy that I have learned so much more about Christie and their music.
   Thanks to you, I am now the happy owner of another four Christie singles that I bought via gemm.com: Fools Gold/Born to Lose, Freewheelin' Man/Everything's Gonna Be Alright, The Dealer/Pleasure and Pain, Alabama/I'm Alive. I like them all, especially the last one. The two albums I bought in the seventies, Christie and For All Mankind, and an Iron Horse single, are still kept well. Thus my Christie-discoteque is more complete, but it would be better if all these singles were assembled on a third LP. Next step is a CD copy of the albums, maybe I'll go for the Russian double.
   I knew all the time that Jeff Christie is a great composer, but now I am even more convinced. I like the way Jeff sings and I think the Christie members are all good musicians. I am also amazed by the way Paul Fenton makes a little drum-kit sound like a big one. I hope the future will bring us more music on a new CD by Christie, or by the new Christie line-up.
   I'm sure that there are a million persons around the world that would be very happy to find this website, but most people don't have the opportunity yet I'm afraid. For those who have, it still may not be easy to find. I don't know why, but I had to search through many Christie-words before I ended at "yellowriver.0catch.com". There is no need to improve such a great website, but I hope that there would be a way to make it more available by searching the net."

Edvin Paulsen: Norway

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"When in 1970s I heard for the first time Yellow River, I dreamed to see Christie with my own eyes.
   The music formed part of my life and even my adult daughter listens to the songs. It is difficult to be an admirer living so far away without any information or accessibility to any new albums.
   I hope one day Jeff can visit Russia again or Belarus."

Helen Zavadsky: Lida, Belarus

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Two of the biggest Christie fans in Germany, Rainer Frank and Isabel Mey, have sent in great photos of themselves with some of their idols.

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"My father taught me to play the guitar in 1997. In 1998 I could play quite a few songs, mainly oldies and country songs with my father.
   Peter, a friend of mine, heard us and decided to play bass with us. After some time, we could play some simple songs together.
   Then I discovered the song Yellow River from Jeff Christie on some of my old records and listened to the guitar chords and bass notes and wrote them down. We tried and played it several times until it sounded quite alright. We were very happy to have such a song, especially one which included so many notes for the bass. We nearly played it every day, and so it was the only song we could play together without looking at the notes!
   In February 1999, we were at a big party, where a local band was playing. During a break, and, to entertain the people, the man who organised the party arranged a contest, where the first seconds of some oldies would be played, and the person who recognised/identified the song had to sing it.
   Then they played the first song, and I thought "Hey! that's Yellow River". As I looked to the stage, Peter was already there and told the organiser that he could play Yellow River live, but he would need his band (my father and me) to sing and play along with him, which we did. We won the second prize, and it was a lot of fun to perform the one and only song live on stage that we had (with the instruments of the local band) at that time.
   We called ourselves the Yellow River Band, and today we play around Germany at various venues. We play mostly oldies in our repertoire, including of course Yellow River, and also San Bernadino."

Martin Heider, The Yellow River Band: Regensburg, Germany

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"What a nice website for Christie! It was a pleasant surprise that I found your site recently.
   Christie played in Singapore in 1971. The concert was held at the biggest concert venue in the country.
   As a student I could not afford the ticket price, it was a much regretted miss. I read the write-up in the next issue of the local weekly pop magazine. It was a marvellous rocking night but a tad too heavy for the reviewer's taste. Who cares, the fans loved it.
   I could only afford to buy singles with my meagre pocket money. I had a few singles including Peace Lovin' Man and Freewheelin' Man.
   LP albums were beyond my budget when they were first released. Many years later after I earned my own salary, I bought the vinyl LP of For All Mankind from the second hand market. I still have them until I find CD replacements.
   Why do I like Christie? I was first drawn to Christie's music by the "jingle jangle" guitar riffs. On further listening, I like the meaningful lyrics with straightforward rocking rythmn. Christie's bass run especially on turnaround is unique and almost recognisable as a signature.
   They deserve a higher place in the history of rock music rather than just a disappearing act.
   I am glad to discover that there were in fact CD releases for the first two Christie albums.
   But even if I can buy both of these CDs, I still miss some songs that are only available on singles, for example Freewheelin' Man. Where can I get them?"

Chin K W: Singapore

Good news! All the songs are now available on the Repertoire sets. — Ray

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"I remember hearing San Bernadino once or twice, and I liked it a lot.
   It was probably not considered to be a big enough or memorable enough hit in the US to be coupled with Yellow River on a re-issue 45. Instead they matched up Yellow River with a song called As The Years Go By by Mashmakhan."

Regina Litman: Philadephia, USA

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"Yellow River reminds me of the summer of 1970 when I was only 14. The yellow album reminds me of the following autumn when my parents bought their first Tandberg/Phillips HiFi stereo system and I got my first long-play record.
   Yellow River and San Bernadino were quite famous then, also in my little hometown in nothern Norway.
   I can still remember the exciting feeling that album gave me, and my friends too, and we played every song almost every day for a long time. My next albums were Abbey Road and Cosmo's Factory, but to me Christie was the best LP and my favorite musical group for years.
   I was also happy to become the owner of the second album, For All Mankind, and that little change of sound and style made it quite interesting to me.
   When I heard Iron Horse on the radio, in '72 i think, I just had to buy the single. I really liked the song, but unfortunately that was the last I heard from Christie. A lot of things have happend since then, and a lot of good music has been made, but songs like Yellow River, Mississippi Line, Inside Looking Out, Until The Dawn, For All Mankind, If Only and more are still among my favorites."

Edvin Paulsen: Norway

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"I'm truly amazed by the interest in all things "Christie".
   May I just say it has been a pleasure to be a member of Christie since 1990.
   Now I can check in here to read your letters, it's great!
   See you on the road soon, I hope."

Simon Kay: Christie member

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"When Yellow River first appeared, I was shocked. It opened something new for me — it was something unknown at that time, it was unlike the other music, and impressed me by its sincere kindness.
   And when I saw the group's photo, I couldn't forget it — even till now.
   It was difficult to get the records, as the prices were and remain today too high (and usually it took a lot of time before we could listen to the next disk). But I immersed in Christie's music world and imagined as if I were together with them. It was an unforgettable time!
   Christie had everything: success and disappointment, but time proved that they are "the qiants of music"!
   One day I hope to meet and to speak with the group, but I can only do this at their concert. I don't know if I will ever be able to go to England so I hope that if they arrive in Russia again, we can meet. I have deams ...
   Let me wish Jeff everything a person can wish to his friends: a successful work and a lot of happiness in life, and also to continue to gladden his admirers with his songs. I am thankful that time has has presented us with such a wonderful musician and man.
   I want you to be happy and always young! We love and always will be with you."

Demidov Igor Vl: Belarus

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"I'm 27 years old, like the music of Christie and have been a great fan for many years. I saw Jeff and his band live for the first time in Wernesgrun in Saxon on January 25, 1997, with Hermans Hermits. It was the greatest concert I have ever seen.
   Wernesgrun is a town famous for good German beer. The band tried a lot of glasses of beer and they liked it.
   Till this day I drive to every concert of Christie. I hope I'll see them again soon.
   My favourite song is San Bernadino, it is one of the greatest hits. I can dream by their music, it's wonderful for me and my friends."

Isabel Mey: Scheibenberg, Germany

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"This is a legendary website to a legendary group!
   When will Jeff answer our questions?"

Fabrizz: somewhere in Europe

Jeff gets forwarded all the mail that fans send in, and reads every one. He is very busy but replies whenever he can. — Ray

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"Today I listened again to For All Mankind and realised what a perfect song it is for the troubled times we have.
   If only our leaders will listen to it. Thank you, Jeff."

Ernest: Italy

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"Congratulations for forming the Christie website. As a fan of all their music it was great to find it.
   I first really got hooked when I heard Iron Horse and to this day remain amazed that this fine release never made it bigger in the UK. I understand however that it was outselling Johny Nash's I Can See Clearly Now, which moved way up the charts whilst Iron Horse did not. Shame.
   I spoke to Jeff on the phone about 15 years ago when I rang up Christabel Music to enquire about Christie sheet music. After chatting for a while Jeff very kindly offered that if I sent him a blank cassette tape he would return it to me with some largely unreleased, more recent (then!) recordings on it. The tape is now a treasured possession. It's a great shame these recordings haven't been more widely heard or the songs snapped up by other artists.
   Do Christie still play at the festival of the seventies weekends at Butlins, or anywhere else in the UK?"

David Elderfield : United Kingdom

Jeff reports that he is not currently playing the UK circuits, but that it is not an impossibility that he will return. — Ray

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This is a very frequently asked question. The Christie vinyl albums and singles, of course, are no longer available, but you can find them in most specialty stores that deal in used records.
   The CDs are much easier to locate. There are many different CDs available (made in various countries such as the US, Russia, Germany and Italy). For track listings of each CD, go to the Discography section of this site.
   If you buy the two Repertoire CDs and the Christie Again CD, you will own a copy of every Christie song released.
   The other reliable method is to use e-bay, which constantly lists Christie records and CDs for sale. Make sure you check e-bay listings for several countries, as listings differ for each country.
   Happy hunting! — Ray

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"I have been a Christie fan for a long time and I would love to see them live on stage. But the last time I saw them in Germany was in 1998 in Hagen. Who can help me? Where can I get information about live concerts in Germany?
   In 1998 I got the information from "Good Times", a magazine about the music of the 60´s, 70´s and 80´s, but since then I never got any information. I hope someone can help me get more actual information."

Birgit: Germany

Jeff and his band play in Germany more than any other country in the world, because there is a big demand there for "oldies" groups. — Ray

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"First, congrats on a great website! Second, many, many thanks for including the section on the Epics.
   Yes, I was the bass player and to this day don't believe we got the breaks that we deserved!! Vic was then (and still is) a brilliant guitarist, and we were, even if I say so myself, a very good band!
   We had a reunion a year ago, and a good old jam went down, I can tell you!!
   Vic and I have talked about doing some acoustic stuff, but so far nothing has materialised."

Stuart Tann: UK

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   "I was the drummer with Australian group Harry Young and Sabbath. One of the other members of the band was bass player Tony Mitchell, who later joined Australian super group of the 70's, Sherbet. Tony also co-wrote Sherbet's enormous UK hit, Howzat.
   Sabbath's first record was one of our original songs, The Wheat in the Field, which made No 7 in the Australian charts in 1970. The next release was our version of San Bernadino, which also made No 7.
   At the time there was an international record ban in Australia. Record companies wanted royalties if their singles were played on radio. So the stations stopped playing them!
   It proved a bonanza for local acts. All they had to do was get a copy of an imported overseas hit, record it and more than likely, score with a success on the local charts.
   We had stablemates called Autumn. We'd come in second to them in a national band competition, we worked the same venues, had the same record company. They grabbed Jeff Christie's Yellow River, and the single shot to No 1. The record company pushed San Bernadino at us one day in the studio, and it was finsihed that day itself. Before we'd left it was on the way to the presses.
   (This was no easy task. The major studios wouldn't press for a relatively new band like us. I hand pressed the discs (powder on the plate, wind the press down, turn on the steam tap, etc — we churned out thousands of the bloody things in a Kings Cross porno magazine cellar). Anything to make a quid! But no 7 it did achieve, so t'was worth it.)
   As the ban broke and some of the originals made air time, Christie toured Australia. Jeff saw our show and he and one other Christie member jammed with us at the Whisky Au Go Go, a somewhat notorious nightclub in Australia."

Mike Cassidy: NSW, Australia

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   "I was 13 years old when I heard for first time Jeff Christie's songs in my best friend's home. By the way, he has the only LP around, I think, in our town. For two years we learned to play our guitars and drums listening all Jeff Christie's material and we learn too to love all the songs. Vic, Mike, Paul and Jeff, today they are our idols .
   We were crazy when one night watching TV advertising said "Jeff Christie and his band .... and Yellow River .. comes to Bogotà (in Colombia)". That was in 1973, I remember it, all our band flew to Bogotà to Jeff Christie's rock concert.
   That night we meet our idols ... that night we were in the Yellow River heaven. By the way, in the last minutes of the concert, Paul* performed a drum solo, I was so near him and he left me to play a drum as a ragtime ... I was in the Yellow River heaven again.
   My best friend and his parents later went to Holland, and the only LP of Jeff Christie was in their baggage! 28 years ago, I was in London with my wife, and we were walking around Picadilly Circus .. and I said this is my last chance to find my best and favorite Jeff Christie album .... and I found it!!! That night in the city, again I was so happy in my Yellow River heaven.
   By the way, Paul .. thanks again for that drum solo chance .. and for the gift of the drum sticks."

Alfonso Morales: Bogota, Colombia

*Actually, the drummer in Bogota was Terry Fogg, not Paul Fenton.— Ray

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   "I have to say that while I wasn't a Christie fanatic, I enjoyed their music. I used to have Freewheelin' Man on a 45 single, and I played it so much I had to dump it due to scratches. Whoever wrote that song is my kind of songwriter."

Jimmy Ward: Belfast, UK

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   "I became a fan of Christie when I won a radio competition. We had to send in the lyrics to Man of Many Faces, so I taped the song from the radio and listened to it over and over again to get the words. In our country, it was not easy to buy the actual Christie record in the shops.
   I was chosen one of the winners and my prize was an autographed copy of Christie's first album. I listened to it and found that I loved every single song! It was fantastic, the first LP which I liked every song.
   From then on, I became a Christie fan, and tried to buy all their records. In my country at the time, there were many pirated records around, and I have a collection of Christie pirated records!"

Lim Eng Tiang: Malaysia

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   "Yellow River was a very big hit in Japan, and a lot of Japanese know the name Christie, and a lot of Japanese know the song!"

Takaoka: Japan

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   "The first time I got in touch with Christie's music was in 1970, when I bought the first LP. This was very good, but in 1971 came the milestone for me in their career, with the second LP, For All Mankind. This LP contains so fantastic songs, especially the title track. For me, that album is as important for pop music in the 70's, as Sgt Pepper was in the 60's.
   In 1993 a lifetime dream came true when for the first time I saw them live on stage. Of course, it wasn't the original line-up. On that day, I got my first autograph from Jeff. The second time I saw them in Aachen (Germany) in 1994. Before the gig, Jeff signed my Christie LPs with a dedication.
   The next time I met Christie in 1995, I had the chance to speak with Jeff and the others - we spoke for more than three hours!"

Rainer Frank: Germany

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   "I don't think that there's another song that can take me back in time quite as effectively as Yellow River. I must confess that although I know Christie's songs, I had no idea who the band was. I'm the type of person that just enjoys music without worrying who wrote or sang it — but Yellow River is different.
   This was the one song that I recall most vividly from when my late wife and I went on honeymoon 11 years ago. Both she and I had a love for the oldies type of music, and on the five hour car trip to Kariba, we listened to the oldies. As a result, even now whenever I hear Yellow River, I am transported back in time to one of the happiest times of my life, and can relive the memories.
   Thank you, Christie."

Dez: Harare, South Africa

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"I must say I always have been a fan, especially as Jeff comes from my home town of Leeds, although sadly I have never met him. One day I would love to be able to meet up with him, I live in Castleford which is 12 miles outside of Leeds so there is every opportunity that I could still meet him one day:-)
   I was never a member of the original Christie fan club as in them days money was tight so we didn't have a lot to spend.
   I have met Paul Fenton twice, once in Leeds and once in Bradford in 2000, when he was playing with Mickey Finn's T-Rex.
   My favourite singles of Christies were San Bernadino, Iron Horse and Yellow River.
   I used to have the original Christie album, it was yellow all over with Jeff on the left and Vic on the right, that was a great album."

Linda: Leeds, UK

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   "Hi, this is great stuff. I have been a Christie fan from way back when. It was a real godsend when I managed to get both albums that have been reissued on CDs. I really appreciated the addition of the post-For All Mankind singles on the CD. That has really helped me catch up on the missing singles that came after the For All Mankind album.
   I remember Christie playing Singapore back in the '70s but I was too young and poor to make the concert. Too bad they can't capture the moment on video or DVD like what we have today.
   I am glad that there are people out there like you that appreciate the great talent in Christie and help spread the word."

Foo Sake Liang: Singapore

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  "Christie's first LP was one great album. I was a kid of 13 years when it was released. I cannot remember all of the songs on the album, but I do remember they were almost all really fine songs."

Carl Stainback: USA

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   "Fantastic job! I love Christie. I saw them live in Israel, I think it was in '71 or '72. Keep up the good work!"

Hovav Frenkel: San Francisco, USA

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   "I was 13 in 1970 when I bought Yellow River. One of my cousins who was fishing in Scotland bought the album. His brother and I used to play this record again and again.
   I got a very huge record collection. Although I got about 3000 items of LPs, 7" singles, CDs, and videos, I have only two bands I am really a fan of. And that is Christie and Wishbone Ash."

Johan Peter: Faroe Islands

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   "I, together with a few other guys from Leeds, used to share a flat in London with Jeff and Paul in 1970/71. Please pass on to Jeff the fact that even though he used to lock his food cupboard so we students couldn't get close to his marmalade, we still remember him fondly !
   I now live in Leeds, and play drums in a covers band. Ruby Wax and Anthony Cohen were two other famous people in our flat. We think Jeff still owes for two weeks rent ;))"

Johnny Ross: Leeds, UK

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   "How could we ever get this kind of group together again to produce such great music!
   I have listened to For All Mankind more than 500 times. I don't even know are the guys still alive after such hard rockin' years. I just like the music."

Jyri Haljoki: Finland

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   "It's many years since I last saw Jeff, though we do go back a long way. One day at Leeds Grammar School, he accidentally bent my thumb back on itself! Damn near dislocated the thing! Mind you, we were only about 12 at the time ... "

Trevor Midgley: UK

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   "I sung San Bernadino when I was on the push chair, amazing everybody, and I flew to the city without the permission of my parents to buy my first Christie single when I was 10 years old.
   And then I began to sing, play guitar, piano and drums and collecting Christie stuff. And made concerts and composing songs, and never left the honour place to my favourite group: Christie."

Lorenzo Gabanizza: Bergamo, Italy

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   "It was 28 August, 1970. Christie played at the Sopot Song Festival (in Poland). They performed three songs: Yellow River, New York City and San Bernadino and Yellow River once more (because when they did Yellow River for the first time there were some problems with sound, with Jeff's mike I think.)
   I remember that gig in details because I recorded it from our old black and white TV set on a tape recorder and besides, which is the most important thing, I shot 8mm film from the screen of TV set. You know, there were no portable home video tape recorders in 1970, even in Japan I think.
   Yes, Christie was the very first Western rock group televised live to Soviet viewers. But I should note that it was late after a midnight and not a lot of my school mates were able to see it. So I played them a tape and showed them my 8mm film.
   Twenty years later, together with director Andrey Krasivitchev we did a documentary film about first Soviet rock groups and also we told about Christie as the band which impressed a lot of our first rock musicians. The film was televised many times in Russia and in some other former Soviet Republics."

Alexei I. Zaikin: Moscow, Russia

 

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