Tony Christie’s greatest fear became a reality. With his hit “Is This The Way To Amarillo” from 1972, the singer became a cult. In 2019, however, the Briton expressed serious concerns: Because of his forgetfulness, he feared suffering from Alzheimer’s. However, a test at the time was negative. However, the musician repeated this – and indeed: Tony suffers from dementia and is already feeling the effects enormously!
The 79-year-old spoke to Bild about his dementia diagnosis. “I try to ignore the illness, keep going. I definitely don’t want to retire from the stage,” emphasized Tony. At his concerts, however, he now has to read the sentences off a screen. “I can’t remember the lyrics anymore. If I miss the words on ‘Amarillo’, the audience helps me. My fans know the song inside out. They sing the lines for me,” explained the father of three.
Meanwhile, Tony takes medication designed to slow the progression of dementia. He also responds well to that. After all, he is no stranger to the course of the incurable disease. His father Paddy had also suffered from it.
