Peter Beckett
Encyclopedia
Peter Beckett is an English
musician and songwriter who has recorded written songs for many prominent recording artists and for several films, as well as produced solo work. He is best known as the lead singer and guitarist for 1970s soft rock
group Player
, which scored a U.S.
#1 hit
in 1977 with "Baby Come Back".
Beckett was born in the Aigburth
district of Liverpool
, England
. He was greatly influenced by seeing the Beatles perform at the famous Cavern Club. At 16, he recorded his first record, "All Night Stand", with a band called The Thoughts. "One Night Stand" was written by Ray Davies
from The Kinks
. He then joined a band called Winston G and The Wicked, later renamed Whip. After they disbanded, Beckett auditioned for Badfinger on the heels of "Come and Get It", and was on Peter Ham's and Tommy Evans' short list, but the job was offered to Joey Molland instead. Beckett then joined a progressive rock band called Paladin, recording two albums called Paladin and Paladin Charge!.
Moving to Los Angeles
, California
in 1974 he joined Skyband before hooking up with JC Crowley
, Ronn Moss
, and John Friesen in 1976 to form Player
. Player enjoyed a Number One hit in 1978 with "Baby Come Back" - voted most annoying record of 1978 by SpinIn magazine
's yearly reader's poll.
After recording four albums, Player split up and Beckett began writing songs for other recording artists such as Olivia Newton-John
, The Temptations
and Kenny Rogers
as well as music for films and television throughout the 1980s. In 1991
, Peter released his first solo CD called Beckett, a combination of rock, pop, AOR tunes. Peter also joined up with Little River Band
in 1989 and toured with them for eight years.
Getting back together with Ronn Moss
in 1995, they recorded Player's fifth album, Lost in Reality and toured the United States. Since then, Peter has produced, written and played on two solo CDs for Ronn Moss
and composed music for a television show: The Bold And The Beautiful
. Beckett and Ronn Moss
had a world tour in 2006 as well as some dates in the United States
. Beckett is also working on a second solo CD and continues to write film scores as well as material for other artists.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
musician and songwriter who has recorded written songs for many prominent recording artists and for several films, as well as produced solo work. He is best known as the lead singer and guitarist for 1970s soft rock
Soft rock
Soft rock is a style of music which uses the techniques of rock music to compose a softer, more toned-down sound. Soft rock songs generally tend to focus on themes like love, everyday life and relationships. The genre tends to make heavy use of acoustic guitars, pianos, synthesizers and sometimes...
group Player
Player (band)
Player is an American rock band that made their mark during the late 1970s. The group scored a few US Hot 100 hits, three of which went into the Top 40 -two of those single releases went Top 10, including the #1 hit "Baby Come Back". That song was written by group members Peter Beckett and J.C....
, which scored a U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
#1 hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
in 1977 with "Baby Come Back".
Beckett was born in the Aigburth
Aigburth
Aigburth is a suburb of Liverpool, Merseyside, England. Located to the south of the city, it is bordered by Dingle, Mossley Hill, and Garston.-History:...
district of Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He was greatly influenced by seeing the Beatles perform at the famous Cavern Club. At 16, he recorded his first record, "All Night Stand", with a band called The Thoughts. "One Night Stand" was written by Ray Davies
Ray Davies
Ray Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
from The Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
. He then joined a band called Winston G and The Wicked, later renamed Whip. After they disbanded, Beckett auditioned for Badfinger on the heels of "Come and Get It", and was on Peter Ham's and Tommy Evans' short list, but the job was offered to Joey Molland instead. Beckett then joined a progressive rock band called Paladin, recording two albums called Paladin and Paladin Charge!.
Moving to Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1974 he joined Skyband before hooking up with JC Crowley
JC Crowley
John Charles Crowley is an American musician. In his career, he has been a member of the band Player, has recorded one studio album for RCA Records, and charted several singles on the Billboard country charts.In 1977, Crowley co-founded the rock band Player, and co-wrote their song "Baby Come Back"...
, Ronn Moss
Ronn Moss
Ronald Montague "Ronn" Moss is an American actor, musician and singer/songwriter, a member of the band Player, and best known for portraying Ridge Forrester, the dynamic fashion magnate on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful since 1987.- Early life and music career :Ronn Moss was born...
, and John Friesen in 1976 to form Player
Player (band)
Player is an American rock band that made their mark during the late 1970s. The group scored a few US Hot 100 hits, three of which went into the Top 40 -two of those single releases went Top 10, including the #1 hit "Baby Come Back". That song was written by group members Peter Beckett and J.C....
. Player enjoyed a Number One hit in 1978 with "Baby Come Back" - voted most annoying record of 1978 by SpinIn magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
's yearly reader's poll.
After recording four albums, Player split up and Beckett began writing songs for other recording artists such as Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
, The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
and Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers
Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur...
as well as music for films and television throughout the 1980s. In 1991
1991 in music
See also:* 1991 in music Record labels established in 1991-Summary:The year 1991 is the year that grunge music made its popular breakthrough. Nirvana's Nevermind, led by the surprise hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", becomes the most popular U.S. album of the year...
, Peter released his first solo CD called Beckett, a combination of rock, pop, AOR tunes. Peter also joined up with Little River Band
Little River Band
Little River Band is an Australian rock band, formed in Melbourne in early 1975.The group chose the name after passing a road sign leading to the Victorian township of Little River, near Geelong, on the way to a performance. Little River Band enjoyed sustained commercial success in not only...
in 1989 and toured with them for eight years.
Getting back together with Ronn Moss
Ronn Moss
Ronald Montague "Ronn" Moss is an American actor, musician and singer/songwriter, a member of the band Player, and best known for portraying Ridge Forrester, the dynamic fashion magnate on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful since 1987.- Early life and music career :Ronn Moss was born...
in 1995, they recorded Player's fifth album, Lost in Reality and toured the United States. Since then, Peter has produced, written and played on two solo CDs for Ronn Moss
Ronn Moss
Ronald Montague "Ronn" Moss is an American actor, musician and singer/songwriter, a member of the band Player, and best known for portraying Ridge Forrester, the dynamic fashion magnate on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful since 1987.- Early life and music career :Ronn Moss was born...
and composed music for a television show: The Bold And The Beautiful
The Bold and the Beautiful
The Bold and the Beautiful is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS Daytime. It premiered on March 23, 1987....
. Beckett and Ronn Moss
Ronn Moss
Ronald Montague "Ronn" Moss is an American actor, musician and singer/songwriter, a member of the band Player, and best known for portraying Ridge Forrester, the dynamic fashion magnate on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful since 1987.- Early life and music career :Ronn Moss was born...
had a world tour in 2006 as well as some dates in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Beckett is also working on a second solo CD and continues to write film scores as well as material for other artists.
External links
- Official Peter Beckett/Player Website
- [ allmusic's Biography of Peter Beckett]
- Official Player Website