Chrissie first worked with Rick when he recorded a soundtrack for the 1990 release of the 1925 silent film "Phantom Of The Opera". He had two male parts which were to be sung by Ashley Holt and Ramon Remedios but no singer for the female lead. Ashley suggested Chrissie.

This film has been available on video in the past but sadly the videos you see around now are other releases of the film. As he usually does, Rick re-edited, re-mixed and partly re-recorded the music for a soundtrack album called Phantom Power that was released on Rick's Ambient label in 1991 but was out of print for many years until President belatedly released it.

Chrissie went on to record a further eight albums with Rick (see the discography for more information).

She toured with Rick, Adam Wakeman and Tony Fernandez on the 1993 "No Expense Spared" tour (it may have been a five piece in which case bassist/guitarist Alan Thompson is likely to have been the fifth piece). In Oct / Nov 1996 she fronted a six piece English Rock Ensemble for appearances in the Isle Of Man, the Ukraine and two nights at Ronnie Scott's in Birmingham. Alan Thompson on bass and Fraser Thorneycroft-Smith on guitar accompanied Chrissie, Rick, Adam and Tony in the lineup. In July 1997 they played six nights at Ronnie Scott's with Phil Laughlin on bass and minus Fraser, but with Stuart Sawney adopting his "Dr Doom" guise to play guitar at the end of Starship Trooper.

There may have been other one off appearances but I don't think there were other tours. I may be totally wrong of course!

Had it not been for her being tied up with Andrew Lloyd Webber's group in Cats there would probably have been more recording and live work as Rick regards her as having a "special voice". His dream English Rock Ensemble line up would feature her on vocals alongside Ashley Holt and Damian Wilson.

I was personally disappointed that she was not used on Return To The Centre Of The Earth. I don't know if this was because she wasn't asked, wasn't available, or the recording schedule slipped and she became unavailable. I would ask the same questions about drummer Tony Fernandez also not featuring.