PETER ALLEN, Australian singer and actor (d. 1992); Born Peter Allen Woolnough in Tenterfield, New South Wales, Allen began his performing career as one of the “Allen Brothers” who were a popular cabaret and television act in the early 1960s. He was spotted by Mark Herron the husband of Judy Garland who is credited to have “discovered” while Allen was performing in Hong Kong, she invited him to return with her to the United States where he performed with her. He married her daughter Liza Minnelli in 1967 (also known as “coming out”). They were divorced in 1972. He was portrayed in a Broadway musical based on his life, by none other than Hugh Jackman.

He wrote “Don’t Cry Out Loud” recorded by Elkie Brooks and Melissa Manchester and “I’d Rather Leave While I’m In Love” recorded by Rita Coolidge, and one of his signature songs, “I Go to Rio,” was a moderate hit in America for the group Pablo Cruise. Allen scored his biggest success with the song “I Honestly Love You“, which he co-wrote with Jeff Barry and became a major hit in  1974 for Olivia Newton-John. Her single reached number one in the U.S. and in Canada and won two Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for Newton-John.

Discography: Chris and Peter Allen’s Album No.#1 (unavailable on CD Peter Allen Tenterfield Saddler (unavailable on CD) Continental American, Taught By Experts, (not on CD, though most of the songs are on the Singer-Songwriter Anthology) It’s Time For Peter Allen (live album, available on CD as part of the Singer Songwriter Anthology) I Could Have Been a Sailor. Bi-Coastal, Best Of, Not the Boy Next Door, Captured Live At Carnegie Hall, Making Every Moment Count, At His Best, The Very Best of Peter Allen, (also known as The Boy From Oz) Peter Allen- The Singer Songwriter Anthology, (box set) Digitally Remastered Best, The Very Best Of Peter Allen, (The Boy From Down Under, Ultimate).