Item 5
Article from rare Australian magazine 'Albert Sebastian' Nov 66.
Crispian St Peters - - On Top Down Under
Crispian St Peters is hailed as one of the few solo male stars to emerge, in recent group-dominated years, with an appeal that extends to most audiences.
Crispian a twenty-two year old, six footer from Swanley in Kent was christened Robin Peter Smith and attended Swanley Secondary until he turned sixteen. During this period he was introduced to the guitar by a leader of his local youth club and thus it was discovered that he possessed an inherent musical ability. After learning the first few chords he progressed rapidly, bought the guitar, and was soon able to play lead position in a local group.
After leaving school Crispian just could not settle down and job followed job, whilst he tried everything from cinema projectionist to metal polisher. He drifted on, filling in the odd weeks by sitting in with groups at local clubs. He came to realise eventually that he would be able to earn a reasonable living from playing and singing. Consequently he formed his own trio known as 'Beat Formula Three' and toured the country gaining valuable experience of stage work, which was to come in useful for the years ahead.
The proverbial 'big break' came one day for Crispian when he spotted an advertisment in one of the music trade papers from a newly formed record company asking for would-be singers to apply for auditions with a view to recording. He applied and at the same time met his two present managers, who have played a great role in his success. The audition at the record company quickly proved that here was a talent too big to be ignored. He was signed up, and from there on his success story has been witnessed by thousands of pop music fans all over the world.
Crispian's first release, 'You Were On My Mind', reached No 2 in the British charts and only the Rolling Stones stopped him from making the top. 'Pied Piper' however, hit the charts hard all over the world. It reached No 1 in South Africa and made the top five in Holland, New Zealand, Singapore, Eire and Hong Kong as well as reaching top positions on Australian and American charts. His third hit 'No, No, No' achieved moderate success in Australian charts while his latest release 'Changes' looks like repeating the performance of 'Pied Piper'. All of his hit discs have established Crispian as a first class pop singer and his background in music and stage technique is helping him to break into cabaret, where he is working before wider and more mature audiences. As a result of his wide appeal Crispian has been signed for some of the most exclusive clubs in England.
Off stage Crispian ia a quiet, shy person who sticks moderately to his own points of view on the pop world and music. A born guitarist with a natural talent for song writing he can be found composing in his dressing room before a show or at home in his rare days off from work in his cottage in a quiet back street of Mayfair. Even his spare time hobby of making guitars reflects his love and understanding of music. In his time he has written over eighty songs, most of them reflecting his preference for Country & Western music and containing sad or faintly humourous love themes. He injects his own brand of dry whimsicality into these and his everyday speech.
Australian teenagers will have a chance to see the 'Pied Piper' in person from late November into early December. Crispian St Peters arrives in Australia on November 17 and will be here until December 10 or possibly until December 17. He has been booked by a well known Melbourne promoter who is starring him at all the major Melbourne dances and Victorian country dances. His inter-state appearances will take him to South Australia and Tasmania. His instrumental backing will be provided by a Victorian group, which has yet to be selected (It was 'The Mixtures' Bill)
Crispian will be the first English pop singer to make appearances outside the Festival Halls, so go along and see him.We think you will find that it has been well worth it.
Alex Fazakis
Courtesy of Simon Smith
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