Tony Christie the UK Singles Chart with "I Did What I Did for Maria", which reached number two, and "Is This the Way to Amarillo", which peaked at number 18, all in 1971. Subsequently he had a minor hit with "Avenues and Alleyways" which reached number 37, and was the theme to the television series "The Protectors". In addition he also charted with 'Drive Safely Darlin' in early 1976 which was recorded on the MCA label and reached 35 in the UK chart. "Is This the Way to Amarillo" had sold more than one million copies by September 1972, and was awarded
(Is This the Way to) Amarillo 2006, the song was played at the World Cup Final in Berlin and was also played by the Central Band of the Royal British Legion on Centre Court at Wimbledon before the start of the Men's Singles final. On some recorded live performances, in the final chorus, Christie intentionally sings the wrong lyrics. Instead of the standard "I've been weeping like a willow", Christie changes it to "weeping like a Winslow" as a homage to one of his favourite high school teachers . In the United States, Neil Sedaka, the writer of the song and a man who had recently