Peter Allen
Born Peter Woolnough in Tenterfield, NSW, Australia in
1942, vocalist/pianist Peter Allen began his musical career at the age
of nine, playing piano in a pub in his home town.
He first gained local
Australian fame when he formed The Allen Brothers with Chris Bell in
1959. The duo performed around Australia, and eventually in the Far
East.
Judy Garland saw the duo perform at the Hong Kong Hilton, and convinced
them to move to the US and open for her in Miami, Las Vegas and other
shows around America. In 1967, soon after they arrived, Peter married
Garland's daughter, Liza Minnelli. The Allen Brothers broke up in the
70s (as did Peter and Liza's marriage) and Peter continued on as a solo
act, concentrating on his cabaret show.
Encouraged to compose his own music by Minnelli, Allen wrote songs
for many artists, including Olivia Newton-John (I Honestly Love You),
Rita Coolidge (I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love), Melissa
Manchester (Don't Cry Out Loud) and enjoyed a number of hits
himself with I Go To Rio, I Still Call Australia Home
and Tenterfield Saddler. He recorded throughout the 70s and
co-composed the number one single Arthur's Theme for
Christopher Cross.
Allen garnered rave reviews for his performances during the late 70s
and in January 1981 he was booked for three shows at New York's Radio
City Music Hall (using the Hall's orchestra in addition to his own band
of six musicians) where capacity audiences forced the management to add
four more performances. During these shows, Allen became the first
entertainer to dance and kick with the legendary Rockettes.
The impact of the Radio City shows was such that "sold out"
signs resulted at shows across the USA and Canada, and a September 1982
return engagement topped even the 1981 spectacular. Branching out into
acting, Peter Allen took on the role of the pirate king in a British TV
production of The Pirates of Penzance.
He returned to Australia for successful tours in August 1988, January
1990 and January 1992. Soon after the last tour he was diagnosed with
cancer. He died on 19 June 1992.
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