Allen was performing with a band in Perth when she came to the attention of songwriter and record producer Terry Britten. Impressed by Allen’s vocal ability and bubbly personality, he began working with her and a recording contract with Mushroom Records resulted. Her first three singles from her debut ‘Magic Rhythm’ album were substantial hits. The first single was a ballad, ‘Falling In Love With Only You’ reaching number 20 in 1979. Her next two singles were strongly influenced by the popular disco style - ‘Goosebumps’ reached number 3 in 1979, and ‘He’s My Number One’ reached number 4 in 1980. With sales of 60,000, Goosebumps would be Allen’s greatest success and was one of Mushroom Record’s highest selling singles at that time. Allen was voted the country’s most popular female performer at the Countdown Awards in 1979 and 1980. She released a handful of singles in 1980/81 from her second and final album ‘Detour’ produced by John Hudson. - Switchboard, Baby Get Away and Don’t Put Out The Flame but they were only mildly successful. Terry Britten had now moved on and was having success with Tina Turner. A long illness & relationship troubles prevented Allen from adequately promoting her career and she subsequently retired. By the 1990s she had resumed her singing career and performed as a vocalist with country music bands. Christie did reappear on TV in a tribute concert for the Mushroom record label singing ‘Goosebumps’. |
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