Peter Allen

Peter Allen — aka Peter Richard Woolnough (Feb. 10, 1944 — June 8, 1992) — was an Australian pianist, singer, composer, and showman, best known internationally through his songwriting partnership with Carole Bayer Sager that yielded hits for Melissa Manchester (“Don’t Cry Out Loud”), Rita Coolidge (“I’d Rather Leave While I’m In Love”), and Christopher Cross (“Arthur’s Theme [Best That You Can Do]”).

As a recording artist in his own right, Allen released several singles and a 1971 album on Metronome, followed by five studio albums and a live double-LP on A&M between 1974 and 1980. During the 1980s, he released a seventh studio album and a second live double-set on Arista and also collaborated with playwright Harvey Fierstein on the Broadway musical Legs Diamond.

Discography:

• Peter Allen (1971)
  
• Continental American (1974)
  
• Taught by Experts (1976)
  
• It Is Time for Peter Allen (live, 1977)
  
• Tenterfield Saddler (1978)
  
• I Could Have Been a Sailor (1979)
  
• Bi-Coastal (1980)
  
• Not the Boy Next Door (1983)
  
• Captured Live at Carnegie Hall (1985)
  
• Making Every Moment Count (1990)