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Post by JH4HJ on Jun 2, 2012 14:11:07 GMT -5
It is very hard for me to believe that it's been 20 years since we lost the fabulous talents, wit and creativity of Peter Allen.  |
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Post by chessie on Jun 2, 2012 20:41:10 GMT -5
Same here. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the number of years that we've been without Peter.
It's not an anniversary I'm looking forward to.
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Post by chessie on Jun 17, 2012 23:22:28 GMT -5
The last time I saw Peter Allen perform was at the Valley Forge Music Fair outside of Philadelphia. It was a “bonus” performance, scheduled only because, as Peter told the audience, he was going to be in town for a friend’s wedding. He thought he might as well squeeze in a couple of shows since he was in the neighborhood.
After the first couple of songs, we noticed that he kept bringing his hand up to his mouth. He told us that he’d nicked his hand while shaving and couldn’t get the bleeding to stop, which is not a good thing if you’re wearing an all-white outfit trimmed with silver. Soon, a woman from the audience walked up to the stage, placed something on the edge, then turned around to return to her seat. Peter walked over and said something like, “Aw, thanks love. She’s brought me some band-aids!” which he then picked up and placed on his finger before continuing with the performance.
The show was wonderful, as always. Peter never gave less than 100%. I couldn’t help but notice, however, that there was a vague sense of melancholy about him that evening. Nothing at all obvious, but something was different.
As we were exiting the parking lot, we had to drive around the back of the theater and there, parked by the stage door, was a shiny, sporty-looking white convertible with a “PA” vanity license plate. Peter had obviously driven down for the wedding. I had to laugh, because of all the cars in that huge parking lot, there could be no doubt about which one belonged to Peter.
The next Peter Allen show we’d bought tickets for was cancelled. The box office said simply, “He’s ill.”
Twenty years ago today, I was about an hour away from the start of a vacation trip when I heard the news that Peter had passed away. Immediately my sense of excitement about our trip was replaced with shock and disbelief.
Shortly after we arrived at our beachfront destination, the sunshine disappeared and the torrential downpours began. After three days with no letup in the rain and no prospect of improvement, we packed up and left early. I was amazed at how well the weather matched my mood.
It’s impossible to know what Peter would have accomplished if he hadn’t been taken from us so soon, but I’m absolutely certain that there would have been a lot more wonderful music, singing, dancing and just plain fun to enrich our lives for many years.
Carol
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Post by JH4HJ on Jun 17, 2012 23:26:45 GMT -5
 Peter, you dear, sweet, kind, funny, talented man. . . it pains me to think that you've been gone for almost as long as I knew you.     Carol, you reminded me of "that day" when I rushed home from work to catch the news. I just knew they'd have to make some kind of "cute" comment about Paul McCartney turning 50. I don't even remember if Paul's birthday was mentioned. I do remember my shock when Peter's death was announced. I don't know how long I sat there - my heart and soul seemed to have gone numb. I called in sick the next day, and was in a daze for the rest of the weekend. It just seemed impossible. He was always so full of life and joi de vivre. How could anyone like that die? It didn't seem "right" twenty years ago. . . and it still doesn't. We miss you, Peter, now and always. Thanks for everything, Dahlin' - especially the music. I will fall asleep to you tonight, and keep the stereo busy with your songs all day long tomorrow. |
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Post by keyserfan on Jun 18, 2012 7:21:47 GMT -5
I've thought about what to write her today and I honestly don't know what to say. Hardly a week has gone by when I have listened to his music. Hardly a day has gone by when I don't think about him for a least one split second. I miss you, Peter.
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Post by mamaleh on Jun 18, 2012 7:35:09 GMT -5
He was always so buoyantly full of life in his performances. If only research had been started sooner on the drugs that now make Peter's affliction a chronic condition to live with rather than a death sentence.... As one of the early innovative singer-songwriters, he likely would have adapted nicely with changing musical tastes and remained relevant--and then some.
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Post by birchie on Jun 18, 2012 8:16:07 GMT -5
Lovely and touching memories from you all! Thank you for sharing. What a loss it was 20 yrs ago. Many years ago, when I was a girl, my grandmother would tell me that something good would come from something bad. Sometimes that's difficult to see. Makes me think of that line about "when one door closes another one opens". Perhaps Peter opened that door and let Hugh Jackman walk through it. Everyone needs angels on their shoulders I guess. I know having people like them around makes this world a better place, however briefly. Just wanted to share a couple thoughts. RIP Peter.
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Post by peter61892 on Jun 18, 2012 11:26:48 GMT -5
I was fortunate enough to see Peter perform in concert at least 6 times.He was a musical genius.His songs are timeless.Biographical songs that still resonate today after 20 years
since his passing.I still play his music,til this day.Peter Woolnough,the boy from Tenterfield
left his mark on the music world.Thank you Peter,for the music.
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Post by JH4HJ on Jun 18, 2012 13:12:05 GMT -5
Peter always made me smile. Sometimes, late at night (actually, VERY early in the morning) just as the club was closing, he could be more than a bit devilish... I recall a bit of self-parody he did one night (during Fleet Week) that made me blush 50 shades of crimson... a sweet, tender ballad -- I Could Have *HAD* A Sailor. (No matter how raunchy you imagine this, you won't be able to out-do Peter's performance.) So, I'm gonna dare to go for a little "black" humor - which I know would make him laugh... and share with you "the coffin scene" that begins Act Two, just after Legs is killed for the *first* time. Please note that the script reads, "Only a critic could kill me" - the ad lib is pure Peter. Cut Of The Cards -- www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTYJCXChAm4&feature=youtu.be...and on a more sentimental note, All I Wanted Was The Dream -- www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gVzgJeLmao&feature=youtu.beBroadway was his dream. Good on ya, Peter. *Bleep* The Critics. |
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Post by chessie on Jun 18, 2012 23:14:00 GMT -5
Brought the house down with that line, didn't he? Sweet!
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Post by birchie on Jun 19, 2012 10:12:37 GMT -5
Thanks Valerie that was great. I didn't know any footage existed of the show outside of that theater archive place. Just love that "Not even the critics can kill me" and that it was the last night!!! Amazing to see! Thanks again, Sue |
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Post by keyserfan on Jun 18, 2013 6:49:03 GMT -5
It is June 18th again. I just wanted to say that I think of Peter Allen often and still miss him all these years later.
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Post by mamaleh on Jun 18, 2013 8:24:01 GMT -5
How time goes by: yes, it's now been twenty-one years since his passing. But his songs are still recorded and he's well remembered, a comforting thought.
Ellen
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Post by chessie on Jun 18, 2013 13:14:32 GMT -5
We are indeed lucky to have Peter's music available to us whenever we want to listen to it. An added bonus is that every once in a while his spirit and music appear on stage in the form of Hugh Jackman, and we are reminded of Peter's incredible talent and the level of joy that was evident each time he performed in front of an audience.
Carol
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Post by JH4HJ on Jun 18, 2013 22:19:27 GMT -5
I listened to the Carnegie Hall concert in the car today. I'm about to watch the RCMH show. It's wonderful to have at least some of Peter's performances on audio/video recordings, but I wish there were more. I still remember coming home to catch the news that night - thinking it would be fun to hear a comment about Paul McCartney's 50th birthday and being floored by the announcement of Peter's death. I spent the rest of the evening in a daze. There were so, so many more concerts I wanted to see; so many more albums I wanted to own; so many more times I wanted to be embraced by his warmth and in awe of his talent.  Peter, you are always loved, and sorely missed. |
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Post by ADMIN on Jun 18, 2014 8:54:17 GMT -5
Not that it isn't a common occurrence here, but I will be listening to Peter all day today. . . and maybe watching TBFO this evening - it's wonderful to be able to combine my two favorite guys.  This is (sort of) what Peter looked like when I first met him - down in The Village - where he played small clubs in the late 60s/early 70s. It's hard to believe that was such a long time ago. Even harder to believe that he's been gone for 22 years. A great talent, and a wonderful man. Gone too soon. Always missed. |
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Post by keyserfan on Jun 18, 2014 10:06:22 GMT -5
I have been thinking about what to say today for about a week and all I can come up with is that I'm sad.
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Post by ADMIN on Jun 18, 2014 10:56:12 GMT -5
I have been thinking about what to say today for about a week and all I can come up with is that I'm sad. I know the feeling. His time was too short - but at least we had him for a while. It would have been worse to never have known him. (...and think of all the people here who might not have "found" Hugh - other than a movie or two here and there - without TBFO!) Have you seen/heard this? A smile from Peter |
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Post by birchie on Jun 18, 2014 12:52:09 GMT -5
Not that it isn't a common occurrence here, but I will be listening to Peter all day today. . . and maybe watching TBFO this evening - it's wonderful to be able to combine my two favorite guys. This is (sort of) what Peter looked like when I first met him - down in The Village - where he played small clubs in the late 60s/early 70s. It's hard to believe that was such a long time ago. Even harder to believe that he's been gone for 22 years. A great talent, and a wonderful man. Gone too soon. Always missed. Is it just me or does this date seem to come around faster every year. Love the picture-& I remember when far too many guys looked like that LOL! RIP Peter Sue |
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Post by mamaleh on Jun 18, 2014 16:18:19 GMT -5
He was truly one of a kind. Always and ever missed.
Ellen
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Post by chessie on Jun 18, 2014 16:45:51 GMT -5
During Hugh's recent appearance on the Letterman show, Paul Shaffer and the band played "Rio" to welcome him in, and I was once again reminded of how much Peter's music has "lightened up my life" throughout the years. The memory of my shock when I heard he had died is vivid, but I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to enjoy some of his performances and that his music is always available whenever the mood to listen strikes me - which it often does.
Carol
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Post by JH4HJ on Jun 18, 2015 8:50:09 GMT -5
Each year when this day comes around I feel so sad but I remind myself that I would not be sad if Peter had not made me so very happy. I regret all the things - songs, laughs, shows - that we didn't get, but I am grateful for those we did. Peter's living room in CA (and a familiar album cover)   The joy that flowed from him on stage was contagious    I think I'll fill the CD player with his *live* shows today . . . Miss ya, Peter - today, and always. [Just did a quick clip for YouTube - posted on another thread here.] |
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Post by chessie on Jun 18, 2015 12:58:33 GMT -5
Today's date is a sad reminder of how soon Peter Allen was taken away from us. He packed so much living into the short time he was here. We're fortunate to have recordings of his songs and performances to enjoy as often as we'd like, and I can't listen to or watch them without smiling. Leaving so much joy behind after you've gone is a pretty special legacy.
Carol
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Post by keyserfan on Jun 18, 2015 13:53:23 GMT -5
It is a busy today today but I didn't forget. Played "It's Time for Peter Allen" and "Bicoastal" is just finishing.
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Post by mamaleh on Jun 18, 2015 14:10:55 GMT -5
"Fly Away" segueing into "Rio" always seems like a fitting reminder of his presence. He was truly one of a kind.
Ellen
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