I saw him and Gordon headlining on the Steel Pier at Atlantic City.
What I did not know was the story of Paul McCartney finishing “World Without Love” for the duo.
Peter tells it here.
As well as going down into his family’s basement to hear the Fab Four’s “I Want To Hold Your Hand” played on the piano, can you imagine?
I certainly can’t.
Peter’s father codified Munchausen Syndrome. His mother taught music. His sister…
Dated Paul McCartney.
And after his fame with Peter & Gordon Asher got a gig as an A&R man at Apple and signed James Taylor, that’s still my favorite of his albums, with the definitive versions of “Carolina In My Mind” and “Something In The Way She Moves” as well as the exquisite “Circle Round The Sun.”
But when that didn’t work out, the two, in this case, Peter and James, decamped to Los Angeles, made a deal with Warner Brothers and the result was…
“Sweet Baby James.”
And then the production success with Linda Ronstadt, who’d knocked around forever and had had a hit with the Stone Poneys and the solo “Long Long Time,” but was languishing. Then came “You’re No Good,” the part you like she hated at first, concocted in an all-night session with Andrew Gold and Peter, but then she came around.
And so did everybody else.
Which begat a management career and further production duties and the astounding thing about Peter is he’s still working! When most of his compatriots can’t or won’t, he’s producing Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, as well as helping Steve out with music on his Broadway endeavors.
And more.
We go very deep here.
But not deep enough.
Then it would be four hours long!
