Tony Christie celebrates Thank You Day at St. Pancras
On 2nd July 2023, singing legend, Tony Christie wowed St Pancras visitors with a live performance by the station’s world-famous free-to-play Sir Elton Piano, continuing a legacy of surprise performances at the station from world-class musicians such as Elton John, John Legend, and Tom Odell.
Fans stopped to capture the star’s set including the well known hit 'Is This The Way To Amarillo' and recently released 'Thank You for Being a Friend' launched by the Music for Dementia campaign for Thank You Day 2023– re-recorded by Christie, who announced in January that he had been diagnosed with dementia.
Christie has been joined by a stellar line up of singers, musicians and producers including Sting, Nile Rodgers, Graham Gouldman and Graeme Pleeth, many of whom have lost a family member to dementia. They were joined on the recording by a small orchestra from Manchester Camerata, the UKs most relentlessly pioneering orchestra and global leader in music and dementia.
Music for Dementia is leading the Thank You Day 2023 music activities and all proceeds from the single will go to The Power of Music Fund being convened by the National Academy of Social Prescribing, kickstarted by £1 million of support from The Utley Foundation.
Managing Director at Music for Dementia, Sarah Metcalfe said: “We are bowled over that Tony Christie has brought so many talented people together to sing the Thank You Day anthem and share the message that music can help people living with dementia. Sunday 2 July is going to be a real celebration, bringing communities together all over the UK. It’s so catchy that I can’t stop singing it!”
While music is in Christie’s blood, it has been a lifeline to him and his family following his dementia diagnosis and they have all put their hearts and souls into the recording.
Christie explains: “Performing, staying positive and trying not to let dementia affect my life really lifts me so taking part in Thank You Day has been a privilege and a blessing; not just for me but for my whole family, including my wife Sue who’s behind me every step of the way. Sue supports me rather than cares for me right now, but there are millions of unseen and unsung of carers doing their thing every day and this is our way of thanking them.
“I am living proof of the power of music on people living with dementia and I fully support the Music for Dementia campaign and its work with Thank You Day. It is so special that this country has been gifted a day that connects communities with this incredible celebration of people and music.
“So get involved, learn the song, come together with someone you want to thank and let’s sing it together - thank you for being a friend.”
