 London-born
Peter Asher was educated at Westminster School in London and
at Kings College, London University, where he studied philosophy. He
first entered the world of performing arts in 1952, when at age
eight he starred opposite Claudette Colbert and Jack Hawkins in
The Planter's Wife. He went on to act extensively in various
film, TV, radio and stage productions.
Peter Asher's legendary music career began in 1964 as one-half of
the singing duo Peter & Gordon, who amassed nine Top 20 records
(three of them Gold) during their career. In 1968, he became head of
A&R for the Beatles newly formed record company, Apple Records,
where he worked closely with the Beatles and also discovered James
Taylor. Asher became a key figure in the revolution of The Sixties,
and also founded Indica, the book shop and art gallery where John
and Yoko met and where Allen Ginsberg and William Boroughs visited.
In 1971, Peter moved to the US and founded Peter Asher
Management, representing James Taylor. This company became one of
the most successful Artist Management firms in the US, subsequently
handling numerous recording artists, including Linda Ronstadt, Joni
Mitchell, Randy Newman and Carole King.
In February 1995, Peter Asher was named Senior Vice President,
Sony Music Entertainment, and in 2002 returned full time to managing
artists' careers as co-President (and later President) of Sanctuary
Artist Management. In 2007, he joined forces with his good friend
Simon Renshaw at Strategic Artist Management. Strategic has grown
into a dominant force in the entertainment industry, managing major
artists in music and many other fields of endeavor.
As a producer, Peter has worked with such diverse artists as
James Taylor, 10,000 Maniacs, Diana Ross, Neil Diamond, Ringo Starr,
Linda Ronstadt, Cher, Morrissey, Robin Williams, Robbie Williams,
Elvis Costello, Jane Monheit, Kenny Loggins, Dan Fogelberg, Heart,
The Dixie Chicks and Billy Joel, among many others. He has been
awarded 37 RIAA-certified Gold Albums and 22 Platinum Albums in the
US, and many more internationally. He has produced twelve Grammy
Award-winning recordings and was honored with the Grammy Award for
Producer of the Year in 1977 and 1989. He has also received
various international awards, is a member of Mensa, and has been a
frequent keynote speaker at industry events.
After a 37 year gap, Peter & Gordon reunited in New York for a
benefit concert in 2005 and have performed together with pleasure on
special occasions ever since. |
