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    Gordon Waller of British Duo Peter and Gordon Dies at 64

    • Posted on Jul 20th 2009 12:15PM by John D. Luerssen
    • Comments (94)
    Print |  Email More
    Singer and guitarist Gordon Waller, of '60s British Invasion duo Peter and Gordon, died Friday after going into cardiac arrest at a hospital in Norwich, Connecticut, near his home. The 64-year-old contributed lead vocals on the 1964 Paul McCartney-penned chart topper 'A World Without Love,' which he recorded with his musical partner Peter Asher.

    Waller and Asher met in 1959, when they were students at London's Westminster school. The two began playing together within a few years, and often performed at London venues during their lunch break and after school before they were discovered by an EMI record producer in 1964. McCartney, who was dating Asher's sister, Jane, at the time, gave Peter and Gordon his song 'A World Without Love,' which became their first single and reached No. 1 on the charts.

    As more and more British acts invaded the U.S., the duo's star began to dim and they split in 1968. In those short years, however, Peter and Gordon had nine Top 20 hits, including 'Nobody I Know' and 'I Don't Want to See You Again,' both of which were also written by McCartney. Waller went on to release 'And Gordon' in 1972, and his most recent album, 'Rebel Rider,' was released last year. Waller and Asher reunited in recent years and had a few gigs lined up over the next few months.

    "Gordon remains one of my very favorite singers of all time and I am still so proud of the work that we did together," Asher wrote in a statement. "I am just a harmony guy and Gordon was the heart and soul of our duo. I shall miss him in so many different ways. The idea that I shall never get to sing those songs with him again, that I shall never again be able to get annoyed when he interrupts me on stage or to laugh at his unpredictable sense of humor or even to admire his newest model train or his latest gardening effort is an unthinkable change in my life with which I have not even begun to come to terms."

    Waller is survived by his wife, Jen, and two daughters from a previous marriage. Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.

    http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=404961&pid=404960&uts=1248125130
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    Recently Departed Music Stars
    Gordon Waller, July 19: As half of the pop duo Peter and Gordon, the dapper crooner landed hit after hit during the 1960s British Invasion, including the Paul McCartney-penned songs 'A World Without Love' and 'Nobody I Know.' Waller died at 64 of cardiovascular disease.
    Jeremy Fletcher, Redferns / Getty Images
    Jeremy Fletcher, Redferns / Getty Images

    Dearly Departed Musicians

      Gordon Waller, July 19: As half of the pop duo Peter and Gordon, the dapper crooner landed hit after hit during the 1960s British Invasion, including the Paul McCartney-penned songs 'A World Without Love' and 'Nobody I Know.' Waller died at 64 of cardiovascular disease.

      Jeremy Fletcher, Redferns / Getty Images

      Michael Jackson, June 25: The "King of Pop" died after suffering cardiac arrest in Los Angeles just as he was preparing an ambitous comeback. The father of three was 50.

      Rusty Kennedy, AP

      Bob Bogle, June 14: The lead guitarist and co-founder of instrumental rock band the Ventures, died at age 75 in June 2009. Bogle suffered from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma but survived long enough to see the group get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year.

      Ebet Roberts, Getty Images

      Barry Beckett, June 10: Producer and Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section keyboardist Barry Beckett died at his home in Hendersonville, Tenn. after a series of illnesses. He was 66.

      Matt McKean, Times Daily

      Hugh Hopper, June 7: The bassist for prog-rock pioneers Soft Machine passed away in Kent, England after a battle with leukemia. He was 64.

      Keystone / Getty Images

      Kenny Rankin, June 7: Singer-songwriter Kenny Rankin passed away at Los Angeles, Calif.'s Cedars Sinai hospital from complications of lung cancer. He was 69.

      Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images

      Jeff Hanson, June 5: Singer-songwriter and Kill Rock Stars recording artist Jeff Hanson, 31, was found dead in his apartment.

      Jim Newberry

      Koko Taylor, June 3: National treasure and blues legend Koko Taylor passed away of complications due to recent surgery. She was 80 years old.

      Rafa Rivas, AFP / Getty Images

      Jay Bennett, May 24: The multi-instrumentalist and former member of Wilco passed away in his sleep of unknown causes. He was 45 years old.

      Patrick Ford, Redferns / Getty Images

      Dolla, May 21: The Atlanta-based rapper, whose real name is Roderick Anthony Burton II, was gunned down outside a Los Angeles, Calif. mall. Burton's publicist told reporters he was waiting at a valet stand after a shopping trip when a gunman shot him. The The 'Make a Toast' star was 21.

      Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

    • Filed under: News, R.I.P.
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    Reader Comments(1 of 5)

    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    Randyat 7-20-2009

    growing up with "world without love"...and "woman" and others that had the distyinctive Peter and Gordon touch was a special time for me. I hope he rests in peace. God's speed.

    Reply
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    Cliffat 7-20-2009

    May you Rest In Peace and God Bless You. If you would like to see videos of Peter and Gordon, here's a link. This is not a sales pitch.--
    http://video.e-bookssite.com/list.php?q=peter+and+gordan&Submit=GO

    vote downvote upReportHigh Ranked

    Marshaat 7-20-2009

    I totally agree with you, Randy, in fact in the report of his death; I'm surprised "Woman" wasn't mentioned. It's a great song! It was also written by Paul McCartney under the name "Bernard Webb".

    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    gary31956at 7-20-2009

    I saw Peter & Gordon in Clear Lake, Iowa, this past February and they sounded better than ever. NOBODY could sing the Buddy Holly song "True Love Ways" like they could. I was hoping to see them again next year. I talked to him privately for a few minutes at the Holiday Inn, too, and he was a very down to earth guy. Very pleasant and answered every question I had with an honest answer. The world lost a great talent and person. Other "celebrities" could take a lesson.

    Reply
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    LeKoolat 7-20-2009

    Wish I could say I met Gordon Waller. I loved them when they hit top 40 radio. I loved their look and sound. I miss Peter and Gordon so much. They were real hit makers. I know Gordon was living on the southern shore of England. I loved World Without Love, Woman, Nobody I know, True Love Ways, and others too. I couldn't afford to buy their records at the time.

    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    jrwolfestrat 7-20-2009

    Peter Asher produced James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt,not Gordon Waller. Gordon Waller's second solo CD was the song-track to a movie about James Dean entitled "Race With Destiny." His third and last was "Sings The Beatles" CD.

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    gary31956at 7-20-2009

    You are exactly right, JR!

    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    reydokat 7-20-2009

    One of those songs that floats above the rest. RIP Gordon.

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    anniepodellat 7-20-2009

    Gordon used to be my neighbor and friend in California. The two of us kicked around all kinds of home improvement projects, but his outdoor train contraption amused us all. He was a kind character and my sympathies go to his wife and family. He will be missed.

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    zorak38735at 7-20-2009

    a salesman! How appropriate...

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    zorak38735at 7-20-2009

    aside from the marketer, yes sad. loved True Love Ways. never saw em live but enjoyed their songs.

    Reply
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    Caroleat 7-20-2009

    This has been a bad summer so far as losing many well known and loved entertainers........I always liked Peter and Gordon's sound - I loved "I Go To Pieces"- Another talented person gone too soon. RIP

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    Joyat 7-20-2009

    I agree. this summer is unreal with all the people who have passed.. truely a huge bummer

    vote downvote upReportHigh Ranked

    duffat 7-20-2009

    Jerk

    Reply
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    jennypkat 7-20-2009

    I have the very first album (yes, vinyl) these guys ever did! I'd listen to it over and over and enjoyed watching them on The Ed Sullivan Show. It was a magical time, The British Invasion. I hate to see half of this remarkable duo go!

    Reply
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    bbomb187at 7-20-2009

    One of the best duos ever. There songs
    were wonderful. Wish I could have seen them perform. Gordon, rest in peace and hope you are singing in heaven!

    Reply
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    Kevynat 7-20-2009

    Oops -- it was Peter Asher, not Gordon Waller, who discovered, signed and produced James Taylor. It was also Peter who worked with Linda Ronstadt.

    In any event, I had the pleasure of meeting and watching Peter and Gordon perform, and will miss seeing them together.

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHigh Ranked

    billyat 7-20-2009

    What a shock, and most recently i have just completed my 45 collection with picture sleeves of the duo's efforts from the 60's. I was born late, but appreciated their sound. So young, so talented. God bless his family.

    Reply
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    linkacsemailat 7-20-2009

    Dumb ass hole

    Reply
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    WandaD'Angeloat 7-20-2009

    I so love the soul of this rock and roll, RIP man.~Wanda~

    Reply
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