Peter Allen

Peter Allen was an Australian singer-songwriter, musician, and entertainer, known for his flamboyant stage persona, energetic performances, and lavish costumes. His songs were made popular by many recording artists, including Elkie Brooks, Melissa Manchester and Olivia Newton-John, including Newton-John's first chart-topping hit I Honestly Love You, and the chart-topping and Academy Award-winning Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) by Christopher Cross. In addition to recording many albums, he enjoyed a cabaret and concert career, including appearances at the Radio City Music Hall riding a camel. His patriotic song I Still Call Australia Home has been used extensively in advertising campaigns, and was added to the National Film and Sound Archive's Sounds of Australia registry in 2013. Allen was born Peter Richard Woolnough on 10 February 1944, to Richard John Woolnough, soldier and grocer, and his wife, Marion Bryden (nee Davidson) at Prince Albert Memorial Hospital in Tenterfield, New South Wales, a small Australian country town where his grandfather, George Woolnough, worked as a saddler. He had one sibling, a younger sister named Lynne. He began his performing career at the age of 11, playing the piano in local pubs. He moved to Sydney in 1959 and formed a singing duo with Chris Bell called the Allen Brothers. They had a hit with My Secret" and toured Australia and Asia. In 1964, while performing at a hotel in Hong Kong, they were discovered by the legendary Judy Garland, who invited them to be her opening act for her concert tour of the United States. Allen met Garland's daughter, Liza Minnelli, and they married in 1967. However, their marriage ended in 1974 after Allen came out as gay. He remained friends with Minnelli and Garland until their deaths. Allen pursued a solo career as a singer-songwriter and became known for his catchy pop songs and witty lyrics. He also wrote songs for other artists, such as Olivia Newton-John (I Honestly Love You), Helen Reddy (I Don't Know How to Love Him), Melissa Manchester (Don't Cry Out Loud), and Christopher Cross (Arthur's Theme). He won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for Arthur's Theme in 1981. Allen also developed a loyal fan base for his live shows, where he displayed his charisma, humor, and versatility as a performer. He played the piano, sang, danced, told jokes, and interacted with the audience. He often wore colorful and extravagant outfits that matched his personality. He performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall (where he famously rode a camel on stage), Royal Albert Hall, and Sydney Opera House. Allen had a long-term partner, model Gregory Connell (1949–1984). They met in 1973 and were together until Connell's death from AIDS-related cancer in 1984. Allen also contracted HIV AIDS and died from the disease on 18 June 1992 in San Diego, California. He was 48 years old. His ashes were scattered over Sydney Harbour by his sister Lynne. In 1998, a musical about his life, The Boy from Oz , debuted in Australia. It ran on Broadway from 2003 to 2004 and earned Hugh Jackman a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for playing Allen. The musical featured many of Allen's songs and celebrated his legacy as an Australian icon and a trailblazer for the LGBTQ+ community.