The Christians are just one of the top acts appearing at the inaugural Uptown Festival on Sunday 9th June in Earlham Park, Norwich. The line-up includes Ali Campbell and his version of UB40, Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp DJ set, Craig Charles funk and soul DJ set, Earth Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay and more.
Garry Christian is “the face” and “the voice” of Liverpool stars The Christians. The only original member of the band today that he started back in 1985 with his brothers. His voice is as soulful as ever.
They have released nine albums since 1987, their name originating from the surname of the three brothers that were in the original line-up (Garry, Russell and Roger Christian), and was also, coincidentally, their songwriter/guitarist/keyboards player Henry Priestman’s middle name.
Their 1987 triple-platinum debut album, “The Christians”, entered the album chart at # two and sold more than a million copies, and featured the Top 30 singles “Forgotten Town”, “Hooverville, “Ideal World” [ got to # 14 in the chart] and “Born Again”.
Their first five singles all made the top 40 in the UK. In 1988 they released a cover of the Isley Brothers’ “Harvest for the World”, with all proceeds going to British Third-World charities.
They also performed with other Liverpool artists Paul McCartney, Holly Johnson and Gerry Marsden on a version of “Ferry Cross The Mersey”, released in aid of those affected by the Hillsborough football disaster, which stayed at # one for three weeks.
Their second album, “Colour”, was released in 1990 and went to top spot in the album chart. The most successful single was the atmospheric “Words”, but others released included “I Found Out” and “Greenbank Drive”. “Happy In Hell” (1992), their third album, reached # 18 in the album charts and included the singles “What’s In A Word” and “The Bottle”.
Lead singer Garry Christian moved to Paris in the mid-90s to produce a solo album (“Your Cool Mystery” (1998), which saw The Christians take a hiatus; reforming and touring at the end of the decade. The Christians had the highest selling debut album of any artist at Island Records, and international chart hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Garry is now 69, Roger Christian died in 1998 from a brain tumour at 48. Russell Christian is 67. The Christians’ lineup up today sees Garry joined by Joey Ankrah, Neil Griffiths, Craig Connet, Bobby Kewley and Mike Triggs.
- The Christians play Uptown Festival, Earlham Park Norwich on Sunday 9th June – with UB40 Feat Ali Campbell, Earth Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay, Craig Charles (DJ set) and Martin Kemp (DJ set) etc. https://norwich.uptownfestival.co.uk/
Garry Christian’s “Track Record”
1. First song you recall hearing as a child?
Matt Monroe: “Days Like These”.
2. First single you owned?
Ray Charles: “In The Heat Of The Night”.
3. First LP/album you owned?
“The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan”. I was too young to buy it when it first come out, but I bought it a few years later.
4. First CD you owned?
I was moving around a lot, so I think when I finally got around to buying a CD player I bought Talk Talk: “Colour Of Spring” (maybe 1987), and played it endlessly.
5. Last music you bought and in what format (CD/vinyl/digital download)?
“Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits” – I left it in the CD player of my old jag’ so I had to buy it again.
6. Which album would you be happy to receive as a gift?
I received the re-mastered Sergeant Pepper’s album a few years back as a gift.
7. Favourite album? (Choose more than one if need be…)
See above, the answer to Question 5!
8. Best record ever made (can be single/album/EP – and choose more than one if need be)?
Pretty much ANYTHING recorded byThe Temptations, probably the most influential band in my life. I’ve been watching their live recording sessions on Tik Tok, of the way they were .. just so incredible in the studio, all live with full orchestra.
Pure musical gold dust and so heart warming compared to watching the back of someone’s head on a computer – as it is today – just bullshit!
9. Guilty secret (or anything unusual or perhaps unexpected) in your music collection?
The Carpenters: Karen’s voice. We took it for granted, but looking back, absolutely INCREDIBLE. Love listening to Slade too – Noddy’s voice is an instant boost to anyone.
10. What does music mean to you and how does it make you feel?
It’s been with me for my whole life – I don’t really think about it . It’s how I earned my living and my house was ALWAYS filled with music. My Mum singing in the kitchen while she prepared meals for our (very big) family. My brothers all harmonising together and me just fitting in with them; an integral part of who I am.
11. Which song or album is a guaranteed mood booster?
Anything by ELO. Jeff Lynne – what a writer, composer and singer.
12. Which song or album would be the soundtrack to a film about your life?
“Ball Of Confusion by The Temptations.
13. Your favourite driving track – or music to exercise to?
Stevie Wonder: “Innervisions” – the whole album.
14. Best song or album for a romantic moment?
Marvin Gaye: “Whats Going On”.
The songs are so apt and I guess a little depressing, since he was predicting so many key things wrong with society, but his voice is always going to hit the spot for anyone.
15. Which song was played for the “First Dance” at your wedding (if you are married) or which song would you choose if you did get married?
We didn’t’ go big on our wedding; it was a tiny private affair, but if we had it might have been “A Song For You” by Donny Hathaway. My wife says it’s about us, so it’d probably be that or another of her favourites: The Christians: “Perfect Moment”, although it would be weird dancing to one of my songs.
16. Your choice of song to sing at karaoke?
I am told I do a very believable version of, “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You”, by Elvis.
17. Which song takes you back to your childhood – and to which specific memory/memories?
I grew up in the 60s and remember the extraordinary effect The Beatles had. Here were a few boys from my city who were suddenly everywhere; those feelings of excitement when you heard the first few notes of “Please Please Me”. Just magical moments in a beautiful city filled with pride.
“My older sister even dated John Lennon for a few weeks”.
18. Favourite band (or bands)?
The Temptations or The Beatles.
19. Favourite singer (or singers)?
Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder.
20. Which song would you like played at your funeral?
I don’t care, as long as its good. I won’t be there! Preferably something I’m singing, to remind people they should have taken more notice of my talent while I was alive [JOKE!]
Photo top of page: PR-supplied – [no credit provided]
Photos: Alex Asprey [band pix x 2 – marked with £££]
Other Photos: Simon Redley
