Tony Christie handed "long overdue" GWR certificates during farewell tour
Guinness World Records finally had the opportunity to catch up with record-breaking crooner, songwriter, and performing powerhouse Tony Christie for a long-awaited certificate presentation.
2025 marked the 20th anniversary of his two record titles, but he’s used to waiting, as it actually took over 30 years for his classic “(Is This the Way to) Amarillo” to reach No.1 in the UK charts.
On 1 December 2025, Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday attended one of Tony’s shows on his TONY CHRISTIE – The Great Farewell tour. The gig took place at Saint Luke’s, a music venue in Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
The singer was presented with two certificates that acknowledged his Guinness World Records titles, which he broke 20 years ago.
The first of the two is longest time for a track by a male artist to reach No.1 on the UK’s Official Singles Chart. On 26 March 2005, Tony, whose real name is Anthony Fitzgerald, was acknowledged for a rather unusual record title, as his single “(Is This the Way to) Amarillo” took over 30 years to reach the top of the charts. It debuted on 20 November 1971 and eventually hit the top spot a whole 33 years and 126 days later, after its charity re-issue for Comic Relief with comedian Peter Kay famously lip-syncing along.
The rebirth of “Amarillo” also gained Christie a second Guinness World Records title, but this time for the oldest male artist to simultaneously top the UK singles and albums charts. The charity single was positioned alongside Tony’s Definitive Collection album (2005), which held the No.1 spot on two UK flagship music charts for a second week. The singer was 61 years and 349 days old at the time.
Read about more famous faces who’ve broken records in our Arts and Entertainment section.
Christie’s single “Amarillo” sat comfortably at the top of the charts for seven consecutive weeks, which gave time for his Definitive Collection - which featured “Amarillo” as well as “Avenues and Alleyways”, “I Did What I Did for Maria” and his UK singles chart debut, “Las Vegas” – time to climb to No.1 on the Official Albums Chart on 2 April, having debuted at No.10 on 5 March 2005.
After all these years, no one has beaten Tony's records and we managed to finally met up with him to acknowledge his amazing achievements in the music industry.
Tony with GWR’s Craig Glenday
"This presentation to Tony was long overdue," said Editor-in-Chief Craig. "Tony is a living legend of British pop music, so it was a real honour to pay him a visit during his Great Farewell tour and hand over his two certificates in person. It's wonderful to hear him singing live and still selling out tours at the age of 82 years.
“He is an inspiration to anyone looking to make a career as a performer - and especially inspiring to anyone in their senior years... he's living proof that age should never be a barrier to achieving great things. Congratulations, Tony, on being Officially Amazing!"