Peter Allen
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
Flamboyant Australian entertainer who performed as a singer, songwriter and pianist. Famed for his lavish, energetic concerts which combined elements of P.T. Barnum and Liberace, Allen got his big break when he was discovered by Judy Garland during her world tour. At the time, he was half of an act called "Chris and Peter Allen" that was performing at the Hong Kong Hilton. Allen went on to open for Garland in Miami, Las Vegas, and other cities. He made his mark in the US performing in New York cabarets.
Allen eventually recorded 11 albums, including "Continental American," "Taught by Experts," "It Is Time for Peter Allen" (a live album), "I Could Have Been A Sailor" and "Bi-Coastal." The success of this last album secured him a modest place in the pop mainstream. As a songwriter, Allen has written for singers such as Rita Coolidge, Melissa Manchester, Olivia Newton-John, and Frank Sinatra. He also kept busy with stage work, even if his big bid for Broadway stardom, "Legs Diamond," completely failed to impress the critics and public. Allen's primary work in the world of film was contributing one line of lyrics to the popular theme song of the hit comedy "Arthur" (1981) which starred Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli (Allen's ex-wife).
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Music (Special)
Life Events
1949
Began singing in Australian pubs at age five
1970
Made debut on Broadway in "Soon" with Richard Gere and Nell Carter
1974
Signed by A&M Records; made two albums that year, the second of which introduced his signature song, "I Go to Rio"
1981
Co-wrote, with Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, and Christopher Cross, "Arthur's Theme (The Best That You Can Do) for "Arthur"
1988
Wrote music and lyrics and starred in the short-lived Broadway show, "Legs Diamond"
Family
Companions
