Rock Spot – Peter Asher: Everywhere Man
By WTJU Rock
A review of the documentary of the incredibly lucky life of Peter Asher.
Peter Asher was a child actor, pop star, gallery owner and record producer who not only survived the rock and roll 1960s but thrived. His story and this documentary is built around a show he developed called A Musical Memoir of the 60s and Beyond. It’s a neat format for those of us who don’t enjoy documentaries that are just talking heads. Asher is on stage with a band who together perform songs between narrations of his amazing life.
Asher along with his sisters, Jane and Clare were child actors, who came of age in the swinging sixties. Their mother was a musician and oboe teacher. One of her students was called George Martin! The beginnings of being everywhere and knowing everyone started there.
Through his sister Jane he met Paul McCartney, who wrote the first song, A World Without Love, to go to number one for Asher’s group, Peter and Gordon. Later on when Peter went solo, Paul shows up again as a session musician. On drums.
Asher co-owned the gallery Indica where John Lennon met Yoko Ono; he was appointed the head of A&R of Apple in 1968 with no prior experience and eventually went into record producing. He was instrumental in developing the careers of James Taylor and Carole King, Linda Ronstadt and worked with many other musicians. All while living in a house which seemed to lack furniture. Perhaps he has some now.
Which all makes for some incredible stories.
If you have ever been in conversation with someone who has led a rich life and likes to talk about it, chances are you have made a goofy face while trying to suppress a yawn or excused yourself for a non-urgent bathroom break.
But Asher is not boring. He skillfully and humorously recounts the details of his life, accompanied by film clips, interviews and of course music. Of the interviewees I was rather taken with Eric Idle who appeared to live in Asher’s kitchen, making cups of tea, but Carole King was a standout.
I would definitely recommend Peter Asher: Everywhere Man if you are interested in the 1960s. Or Peter and Gordon. Or everything. Everywhere.
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