Peter Allen

Peter Allen (1944–1992), singer/songwriter and entertainer, was born Peter Allen Woolnough in Tenterfield, NSW. At age fifteen he joined with singer Chris Bell to form the Allen Brothers, and by 1964 was part of a successful singing trio chosen to support Judy Garland on her world tour. He married Garland's daughter Liza Minnelli in 1967; they separated two years later. In the 1970s he became a successful cabaret performer and recording artist. Among his more enduring songs are 'I Go to Rio' and 'I Still Call Australia Home'. He also achieved success composing for other performers, co-writing such hits as Olivia Newton-John's Grammy-winning 'I Honestly Love You' and Christopher Cross' 'Arthur's Theme (Best That you Can Do)', which won best song at the 1981 Academy Awards. Allen played his final concerts to packed houses in Sydney in January 1992, just five months before his death. The Boy from Oz, a musical based on Allen's life and featuring his music, premiered in Sydney in 1998 and toured around Australia. Hugh Jackman played Allen in the revised version on Broadway from 2003 to 2004, and later the arena spectacular tour in Australia.