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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
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.
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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
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Add a Comment
Winston
Prior to Gordon Wallers passing, I had been in contact
with Peter and Gordon's agent.
I had worked as a DJ for several prairie radio stations
and their agent said she would pass along my regards to them.
A friend Bob Wood who also worked in radio, booked Peter
and Gordon for a concert in Ontario and visited and
socialized with them after it was over.
I enjoyed their music, while in high school and later playing it on the radio.
The loss of Gordon, a talented preformer at still a young age is difficult.
However, he will not be forgotten and we will always
remember him for his music and chart toppers.
bqview
Still have the article from the San Diego Tribune of the concert that Peter and Gordon were part of in the summer of 1964. They were sensational!! Got close to the stage and saw Gordon's shockingly red hair and heard Peter's outrageous funny comments about the crowd. He was magnificent. What a concert with so many stars along with the Beach Boys and the Righteous Brothers.
Peter and Gordon were mobbed by screaming-adoring fans. They were another symbol of the British Invasion that stormed the beaches of California with their great style and harmony.
wonderjber
She's got a ticket to ride was a Beatles big hit.....My ex played in a cover band for the beatles....I like them much better then him! :o)
July 21 2009 at 3:47 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
wonderjber
"500 Miles away from home" was my fav......i grew up with older brothers and sisters......they did awesome on the songs that paul and john wrote for them!
July 21 2009 at 3:44 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
spikednc
My childhood has been flashing before my eyes lately. Waaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!
July 21 2009 at 3:42 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
thearcanum
The British Invasion has lost a "Big Gun."
It's wonderful to know that Gordon Waller and his music are so fondly remembered. So much of todays "music" is just a waste of silence. Peter and Gordon's songs displayed such lovely emotion, fine sentiments (and even humour -with a catchy beat)... and unlike so many
"artist" today, actually posessed MUSICALITY! "I Go To Pieces" captures so beautifully what a man goes through when his love becomes unrequited... And "SHE's got a 'ticket-to-ride.'" I've identified with that song and sung it to my self often all these years. I love that he gardened and played with trains to the end.
God bless him.
teriterific
Really sad... But great music. I am still laughing so hard from the hemmoroid comments, at least somethings right with the world,... just saying
July 21 2009 at 1:07 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
tonymoya
I still listen to their music today. I liked their hits songs like "I Go To Pieces", "Knight In Rusty Armour" and "Sunday For Tea". He had a great deep strong voice.
sweetime
Peter and Gordon with Manfred Mann was my first concert at the RPI Field House. Wonderful.
July 21 2009 at 12:38 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
arossi9216
this dying stuff must stop asap!
July 20 2009 at 11:54 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply
88 Comments