Peter Asher sings and tells his tales at Johnny D’s on Wednesday, August 8 at 8 p.m. – Photo by Michael Weintrob

‘Peter Asher: A Musical Memoir of the 60s and Beyond’ comes to town

By Jim Clark

Pop music royalty includes many in its numbers, but few can match the gravitas embodied in the person of Peter Asher. A bona fide superstar of the great musical British Invasion of the 60s as one half of the wildly popular duo Peter & Gordon, he was also a friend of and collaborator with such luminaries as The Beatles (he later went on to head the group’s Apple Records A&R division), The Rolling Stones, and practically every other major player on the scene at the time. Asher would later become one of the most successful record producers and talent managers in the business.

After decades of living a life that most can only dream of, Asher has come forward once again into the spotlight, offering to the public his personal remembrances and impressions in a live show entitled Peter Asher: A Musical Memoir of the 60s and Beyond, to be presented at Johnny D’s on Wednesday, August 8.

The event showcases Asher as storyteller, musician, and participant in some of the most significant moments in the popular culture of the 60s and, yes, beyond. Backed by a four piece band and aided by video imagery, Asher sings his songs and tells his tales, weaving a rich tapestry of insights into the music, politics, and social trends of those turbulent times.

Asher offers reminiscences about his beginnings as a performer, starting out as an actor in British film and television at the age of eight. A few years later he teamed up with schoolmate Gordon Waller to make music together as Peter & Gordon.

Peter Asher with The Beatles and their producer George Martin.

Asher’s sister Jane had become the girlfriend of The Beatles’ Paul McCartney in the early to late 60s, and through that association several Lennon-McCartney songs that were not recorded by The Beatles were given to Peter & Gordon. These included Nobody I know, I Don’t Want To See You Again, Woman, and perhaps their biggest hit A World Without Love.

More hits followed, such as Lady Godiva, True Love Ways and I Go To Pieces. By the mid-60s Peter & Gordon enjoyed worldwide fame and the adoration of their fans. As much as The Beatles set trends that spawned many copycat groups, Peter & Gordon too had their imitators. Chad & Jeremy, also out of England, were almost cookie-cutter duplicates of Peter & Gordon. Other duos would come up through the 60s, following the law that the archetypal pair had laid down.

Asher’s somewhat “nerdie” look contrasted with Waller’s rugged handsome features, but both were heartthrob favorites of teenage girls of the day. Actor/Comedian Mike Meyers has said that he patterned his Austin Powers character’s look after Asher, complete with trademark Buddy Holly style horn-rimmed glasses.

Toward the end of the 60s attitudes and tastes had changed, and the “lovable mop-top” craze had run its course, giving way to psychedelia and the new social and political awareness that would sweep the world’s cultural core. At this time Peter & Gordon ceased their partnership and Asher took on new challenges as head of A&R at The Beatles’ Apple Records. There he helped to develop new talent and lent a hand in producing recordings coming out of the fledgling label.

Asher further extended his interests by founding the legendary Indica bookshop and art gallery, the place where John Lennon met Yoko Ono.

Peter & Gordon circa 1964.
– Photo courtesy Capitol/EMI

While working at Apple, Asher signed and worked closely with a fresh up-and-coming singer/songwriter, James Taylor. Taylor’s debut solo

release on the Apple label was not considered a success, but Asher persisted in supporting his work, resigning from Apple and moving to the U.S., forming his own production and management company.

Asher produced Taylor’s next several albums, Sweet Baby James, Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon, JT and Flag, and the singer soon achieved his own superstar status.

Asher continued by producing many of the great classic rock and pop albums of the 70s by artists such as Linda Ronstadt, JD Souther, Andrew Gold and Bonnie Raitt. In the 80s he worked with Cher and 10,000 Maniacs, among others.

His career as producer continues to this day, and he is a highly respected and sought after industry heavyweight. Other notable artists he has worked with include Diana Ross, Randy Newman, Neil Diamond, Sarah Brightman, and Morrissey.

He has received two Grammys for Producer of the Year and one for Best Spoken Comedy Album. He has recently been active in creating music for films, notably Pirates of the Caribbean 4, Sherlock Holmes 2, and Madagascar 3.

Asher and Waller reformed as Peter & Gordon for occasional appearances together through the years, often at Beatle-Fests and various charitable events. Their last concert together took place at the Santa Monica Pier in 2008. Sadly, Waller passed away in 2009, having succumbed to a heart attack.

“I began wondering if I would ever have the opportunity to sing those wonderful songs again,” Asher has said. This was part of the impetus that led him to develop Peter Asher: A Musical Memoir of the 60s and Beyond.

The show evolved gradually, says Asher. “I was doing lectures, and invariably some visuals would be displayed along with the talk.” That, along with his performing some of the well-known songs from the past, sowed the seeds that would eventually yield the core concept of Memoirs.

“The show has evolved over time. Each performance is a bit different from the one before,” says Asher. Rather than performing a rigidly controlled repertoire, he enjoys interaction with the audience, often answering questions and taking song requests.

The show is loaded with priceless anecdotes, stunning visuals, and memorable songs. Baby boomers can bask in the warm nostalgic glow of past glories, alongside younger audience members who would be astonished at the rich grandeur of what has preceded the current cultural climate.

Asher remains firmly at the helm to this day, bringing up new talent and adding to the quality of work by many top acts in the music business. And Memoirs stands as a priceless gift to audiences fortunate enough to catch its performance.

As memories of the Golden Age of 60s pop gradually become fixed in the historical record, one man continues to breathe life into those legendary times. We are privileged to have the opportunity to take part in the observance the remarkable events he has been a part of.

I don’t care what they say, I won’t stay in a world without Peter Asher.

Peter Asher: A Musical Memoir of the 60s and Beyond will be presented at Johnny D’s, 17 Holland Street, Somerville, on August 8 at 8 p.m. For information and tickets visit http://www.johnnyds.com.