Peter Asher

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name = Peter Asher

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birth_date = Willesden, Middlesex [GRO Register of Births: JUN 1944 3a 826 WILLESDEN - Peter Asher, mmn = Eliot]
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occupation = Record producer
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parents = Dr Richard Asher & Margaret Asher née Eliot
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Peter Asher was born on 22 June 1944 in Willesden, London , then part of Middlesex, England. He is a guitarist, singer, manager and record producer.

Early Life

Asher is the son of Dr Richard and Margaret Asher, and the older brother of actress and businesswoman Jane Asher and radio actress Clare Asher. Jane Asher was, in the mid-1960s, the girlfriend of The Beatles' Paul McCartney. Through this connection, Asher and Waller were often given unrecorded Lennon/McCartney songs to perform, most notably their first and biggest hit, 1964's decidedly Beatlesque "A World Without Love".

He was a child actor and appeared in the film "The Planter's Wife" and the stage play "Isn't Life Wonderful" when he was 8 years old and also in the ITV series "The Adventures of Robin Hood". While attending the independent Westminster School as a day boy, he first met fellow student Gordon Waller, and they began playing and singing together as a duo in coffee bars and in 1962 formed the duo "Peter and Gordon".

1960s

Asher was known as the " 'Peter' " part of the 1960s Everly Brothers-derived duo Peter & Gordon, whose biggest hit was the 1964 Paul McCartney-penned "A World Without Love". Asher's greatest success was serving as producer of a long string of multi-platinum albums for Linda Ronstadt as well as albums for James Taylor.

In 1965, he was best man when singer Marianne Faithfull married John Dunbar in CambridgeCite book | author=Harry, Bill| authorlink= | coauthors= | title=The Beatles Encyclopaedia (2000 paperback edition; first published 1992) | date=2000 | publisher=Virgin Publishing, London W6 9HA | location=London | isbn=0-7535-0481-2 | pages=403] .

After Peter & Gordon disbanded in 1968, Asher took charge of the A&R department at The Beatles' Apple Records label, where he signed a then-unknown James Taylor and agreed to produce the singer-songwriter's debut solo album. The album was not a success, but Asher was so convinced that Taylor held great potential that he resigned his post at Apple to move to the United States and work as Taylor's manager. He also produced Taylor's recording over several decades.

In 1969, Asher was asked by Beatle George Harrison to look up an American band called Raven while he was in New York City (The Longest Cocktail Party, pg. 119). He offered Raven an Apple Records recording contract in the kitchen of Steve Paul's Scene but the group turned it down and instead signed with Columbia Records. Reference: " 'Once Life Matters: A New Beginning' " ppg. 62-65, author Marty Angelo.

1970s

In the early 1970s Asher also managed a country rock band called " 'Country' ", which recorded for Atlantic Records through its subsidiary Clean Records, featuring Michael Fondiler and Tom Snow, who has since become a songwriter. Asher achieved his greatest success producing a long string of eclectic and platinum albums for Linda Ronstadt, including " 'Heart Like a Wheel, Simple Dreams, What's New' ", and " 'Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind' ".

Asher also played a role in shaping the California rock sound prominent during the 1970s, producing records for Ronstadt, J.D. Souther, Andrew Gold and Bonnie Raitt. In 1976, Asher and Waller reformed for the annual New York " 'Beatlefest' " and played a few other dates. [ http://abbeyrd.best.vwh.net/news/402peterandgordonreunion.html "Peter and Gordon reunite at Fest for Beatle Fans", Steve Marinucci's Abbeyrd Beatles fan website] . Accessed: 03-22-2008. ] In the 1980s, Asher also worked on hit albums for artists as diverse as Cher and 10,000 Maniacs.

Asher had been quoted as saying that actor Mike Myers has said he had patterned his Austin Powers character after Asher's appearance. [ [http://abbeyrd.best.vwh.net/news/402peterandgordonreunion.html Patti Murawski quoting interview with Peter Asher] . Accessed 03-22-2008.]

Personal Life

He had a short-lived relationship with Millie Small, known as Millie, who sang " 'My Boy Lollipop' ".

His daughter Victoria Asher is keytarist in the popular American pop-punk band Cobra Starship.

Awards and recognition

Grammy awards

*1977 — Producer of The Year, Non-Classical
*1989 — Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical ("Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind")
*2002 — Best Spoken Comedy Album ("Live 2002" (Robin Williams))

Discography (selection)

As performer

*"In Touch With..." (by Peter & Gordon) (1964)
*"Peter And Gordon" (by Peter & Gordon) (1964)
*"World Without Love" Peter and Gordon (by Peter & Gordon) (1964)
*"Hurtin' 'N' Lovin"' (by Peter & Gordon) (1965)
*"I Don't Want To See You Again" (by Peter & Gordon) (1965)
*"I Go To Pieces" (by Peter & Gordon) (1965)
*"True Love Ways" (by Peter & Gordon) (1965)
*"Best Of Peter And Gordon" (by Peter & Gordon) (1966)
*"Peter And Gordon Sing & Play the Hits of Nashville" (1966)
*"Somewhere" (by Peter & Gordon) (1966)
*"Woman" (by Peter & Gordon) (1966)
*"In London For Tea" (by Peter & Gordon) (1967)
*"Knight In Rusty Armour" (by Peter & Gordon) (1967)
*"Lady Godiva" (by Peter & Gordon) (1967)
*"Hot Cold & Custard" (by Peter & Gordon) (1967)
*"Gordon" (Solo: Gordon Waller) (1972)
*"Best Of Peter And Gordon" (by Peter & Gordon) (1983)
*"Hits Of Peter And Gordon" (by Peter & Gordon) (1983)
*"Best Of Peter And Gordon" (by Peter & Gordon) (1991)
*"Ultimate Peter And Gordon" (by Peter & Gordon) (2001)
*"Definitive Collection: Knights In Rusty Armour" (by Peter & Gordon) (2003)

As producer

*"James Taylor" (by James Taylor) (1968)
*"Barbara Keith" (by Barbara Keith) (1969)
*"Jo Mama" (by Jo Mama) (1970)
*"Sweet Baby James" (by James Taylor) (1970)
*"Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon (by James Taylor) (1971)
*"Sister Kate" (by Kate Taylor) (1971)
*"Tony Joe White" (by Tony Joe White) (1971)
*"One Man Dog" (by James Taylor) (1972)
*"Don't Cry Now" (by Linda Ronstadt) (1973)
*"Heart Like a Wheel" (by Linda Ronstadt) (1973)
*"Prisoner in Disguise" (by Linda Ronstadt) (1975)
*"Black Rose" (by J.D. Souther) (1975)
*"Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 (by Linda Ronstadt) (1976)
*"Greatest Hits" (by James Taylor) (1976)
*"Hasten Down the Wind" (by Linda Ronstadt) (1976)
*"In the Pocket" (by James Taylor) (1976)
*"Love Songs" (by David Sanborn) (1976)
*"JT" (by James Taylor) (1977)
*"Simple Dreams" (by Linda Ronstadt) (1977)
*"Living in the U.S.A." (by Linda Ronstadt) (1978)
*"Flag" (by James Taylor) (1979)
*"The Glow" (by Bonnie Raitt) (1979)
*"Greatest Hits, Vol. 2" (by Linda Ronstadt) (1980)
*"Mad Love" (by Linda Ronstadt) (1980)
*"Dad Loves His Work" (by James Taylor) (1981)
*"Get Closer" (by Linda Ronstadt) (1982)
*"Reelin' in the Years, Vol. 1" (by various artists) (1983)
*"What's New (by Linda Ronstadt) (1983)
*"Lush Life" (by Linda Ronstadt) (1984)
*"Moonlighting" (Original TV soundtrack) (1984)
*"That's Why I'm Here" (by James Taylor) (1985)
*"American Tail" (Original soundtrack) (1986)
*"For Sentimental Reasons" (by Linda Ronstadt) (1986)
*"Round Midnight with Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra" (by Linda Ronstadt with Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra) (1986)
*"Canciones de Mi Padre" (by Linda Ronstadt) (1987)
*"Cher" (by Cher) (1987)
*"In My Tribe" (by 10,000 Maniacs) (1987)
*"Storytellers: Singers & Songwriters" (by various artists) (1987)
*"Land Before Time" (Original soundtrack) (1988)
*"Blind Man's Zoo" (by 10,000 Maniacs) (1989)
*"Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind" (by Linda Ronstadt) (1989)
*"Heart of Stone" (by Cher) (1989)
*"You Happy Puppet" (by 10,000 Maniacs ) (1989)
*"Bonnie Raitt Collection" (by Bonnie Raitt) (1990)
*"Mermaids" (Original soundtrack) (1990)
*"Force Behind the Power" (by Diana Ross) (1991)
*"Greatest Hits: Power of Great Music" (by James Ingram) (1991)
*"Live in Rio" (by James Taylor) (1991)
*"Love Hurts" (by Cher) (1991)
*"Lovescape" (by Neil Diamond) (1991)
*"Mambo Kings" (Original soundtrack) (1991)
*"Swept" (by Julia Fordham) (1991)
*"Williams Brothers" (by The Williams Brothers) (1991)
*"American Standard" (by Mary's Danish) (1992)
*"Back to Basics" (by Olivia Newton-John) (1992)
*"Christmas Album" (by Neil Diamond) (1992)
*"Frenesi (by Linda Ronstadt) (1992)
*"Olivia" (by Olivia Newton-John) (1992)
*"Time Takes Time" (by Ringo Starr) (1992)
*"Best of Tony Joe White" (by Tony Joe White) (1993)
*"Made in America" (Original soundtrack) (1993)
*"One Woman: The Ultimate Collection" (by Diana Ross) (1993)
*"Robin Zander" (by Robin Zander) (1993)
*"Up on the Roof: Songs from the Brill Building" (by Neil Diamond) (1993)
*"Christmas Album, Vol. 2" (by Neil Diamond) (1994)
*"Randy Newman's Faust: Words & Music" (by various artists) (1994)
*"Winter Light" (by Linda Ronstadt) (1994)
*"Don't Ask" (by Tina Arena) (1995)
*"EP Collection" (by Peter & Gordon) (1995)
*"Faust" (by Randy Newman) (1995)
*"It Takes Two" (by various artists) (1996)
*"One Fine Day" (Original soundtrack) (1996)
*"Show Me Heaven" (by Tina Arena) (1996)
*"Collection: You're the Inspiration" (by Peter Cetera) (1997)
*"" (by Billy Joel) (1997)
* "Greatest Hits, Vol. 3" (by Billy Joel) (1997)
*"Most Beautiful Soul Album on Earth" (by various artists) (1997)
*"Superstar Christmas" (by various artists) (1997)
*"Thank You for Being a Friend: The Best of Andrew Gold" (by Andrew Gold) (1997)
*"Under These Rocks and Stones" (by Chantal Kreviazuk) (1997)
*"Armageddon" (Original soundtrack) (1998)
*"As I Came of Age" (by Sarah Brightman) (1998)
*"December" (by Kenny Loggins) (1998)
*"Greatest Hits" (by Heart) (1998)
*"Guilty: 30 Years of Randy Newman" (by Randy Newman) (1998)
*"Motown 40 Forever" (by various artists) (1998)
*"Pirates of Penzance" (by the original Broadway cast) (1998)
*"We Ran" (by Linda Ronstadt) (1998)
*"All Time Greatest Movie Songs" (by various artists) (1999)
*"Ballads" (by REO Speedwagon) (1999) Producer
*"Best Party Megamix in the World Ever" (by various artists) (1999)
*"Collection" (by Julia Fordham) (1999)
*"If I Could Turn Back Time: Greatest Hits" (by Cher) (1999)
*"Runaway Bride" (Original soundtrack) (1999)
*"When the Going Gets Tough" (by Boyzone) (1999)
*"3 for One" (by Linda Ronstadt) (2000)
*"Gift of Love" (by Diana Ross) (2000)
*"Greatest Hits Volume 2" (by James Taylor) (2000)
*"Greatest Hits, Vols. 1, 2 & 3" (by Billy Joel) (2000)
*"Millennium Edition" (by Cher) (2000)
*"More Songs from Pooh Corner" (by Kenny Loggins) (2000)
*"Singles Collection: 1994–1999" (by Boyzone) (2000)
*"Tigger Movie: Songs & Story" (by various artists) (2000)
*"Best of Randy Newman" (by Randy Newman) (2001)
*"Essential Neil Diamond" (by Neil Diamond) (2001)
*"Everything I Am" (by Anna Vissi) (2001)
*"Life & Love: The Very Best of Diana Ross" (by Diana Ross) (2001)
*"Motown Anthology" (by Diana Ross) (2001)
*"Peter Cetera Collection" (by Peter Cetera) (2001)
*"Three Chord Opera" (by Neil Diamond) (2001)
*"Ultimate Collection" (by Aaron Neville) (2001)
*"Ultimate Peter and Gordon" (by Peter & Gordon) (2001)
*"Capitol Records 1942–2002"(by various artists) (2002)
*"Essential Kenny Loggins" (by Kenny Loggins) (2002)
*"Everybody's Got a Story" (by Amanda Marshall) (2002)
*"Freedom: A History of Us" (Original soundtrack) (2002)
*"Live 2002" (by Robin Williams)
*"Providence" (Original TV soundtrack) (2002)
*"Reach Out and Touch: The Very Best of Diana Ross" (by Diana Ross) (2002)
*"Sweet Is the Melody" (by Aselin Debison) (2002)
*"Very Best of Linda Ronstadt" (by Linda Ronstadt) (2002)
*"Best of James Taylor" (by James Taylor) (2003)
*"Best of the Definitive American Songbook, Vol. 2: I-Z" (by various artists) (2003)
*"Cafeteria: Hear" (by various artists) (2003)
*"Earth Rider — The Essential John Stewart 1964–1979" (by John Stewart) (2003)
*"Singers and Songwriters Christmas Songs" (by various artists) (2003)
*"The Very Best of Cher" (by Cher) (2003)
*"California" (by Wilson Phillips) (2004)
*"" (by 10,000 Maniacs) (2004)
*"De-Lovely" (Original soundtrack) (2004)
*"Essential REO Speedwagon" (by REO Speedwagon) (2004)
*"Intermission" (by Amanda Marshall) (2004)
*"" (by Linda Ronstadt) (2004)
*"Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" (Original soundtrack) (2004)
*"Taking a Chance on Love" (by Jane Monheit) (2004)
*"You're the Inspiration: A Collection" (by Peter Cetera) (2004)
*"Live at Earls Court" (by Morrissey) (2005)
*"Goodies, Vol. 1" (by various artists) (2005)
*"Souvenirs" (by Tina Arena) (2005)
*"You're Only Lonely" (by Raul Malo) (2006)
*"Siren" (by Sasha and Shawna) (2007)
*"I love you" (by Diana Ross) (2006)

As executive producer

*"Harry's Cafe De Wheels" (by Peter Blakeley) (1989)
*"Timbre" (by Sophie B. Hawkins) (1999)

References

External links

* [http://www.martyangelo.com/book.htm Once Life Matters: A New Beginning] - author Marty Angelo. Reference: Apple Records 1969 recording contract offer to Raven. Pages 62-65.

*imdb name|id=004717|name=Peter Asher

Persondata
NAME = Asher, Peter
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Record producer
DATE OF BIRTH = 1944-06-22
PLACE OF BIRTH = Willesden, Middlesex
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =