Article 3
''PIED PIPER' JUST PROVES CRISPIAN'S THEORY...

Crispian St Peters has proved a theory. Or rather, the success of his latest disc "Pied Piper" has proved it for him. When his first hit "You Were On My Mind" hit the top bracket in the Pop 50, Crispian let out a blast of opinions against the Beatles and other "sacred" stars of the pop music profession.
"I was asked my opinions, so I stated them. A lot of people didn't like it and started saying 'loudmouth', 'bighead', and so on. They also whispered that I was a one hit wonder and that saying things about the big stars would guarantee that I'd be finished in the pop business.

                                  OPINIONS

Well I had a theory that it wouldn't do any harm at all. And I've been proved right. I didn't knock people for publicity. I meant what I said and I stand by my statements. And I'll state my opinions again if I feel I have something to say.
Now, I'm up with most of the stars, so some of the things that used to annoy me don't any longer. I'm more inclined to laugh them off."

                                               MONEY

Crispian - real name Peter Smith - now feels he's becoming a permanent fixture in the pop scene.
"People accept me more now since 'Pied Piper' hit the Pop 50. I'm optimistic about the future. I give myself about five years as a pop singer - I could be around longer if I wanted to, but I don't think I'll want to go on  longer than that.
now that I've got a bit of money in my pocket, I'm going to buy a large country house as security, and when the singing bit is over, live there and work to establish myself as a good, established songwriter."
Peter has written many songs and about a dozen of his originals are on his recently completed album, which is expected to be released at the end of May.
"I'm also hoping to release an EP of country songs in the near future," said Peter, whose liking for C & W is obvious from his choice of material, his predilection for cowboy clothes and his desire to star in a western film - as the villain.

                               CYNICISM

"We've already got a very good story we'd like to do, and discussions are going on about a backer for the film, which we could make in Spain."
But although things at present seem trouble free Peter retains a quiet cynicism for the whole of the pop music business which is never obvious but hinted at in his attitude and humorous asides during conversations.
"Perhaps I am a bit cynical," he said. "I think it's the result of coming up the hard way in this business. After all, I've done everything, including playing drums in rock groups and doing the clubs for buttons.
That's why, when David Nicolson approached me to be my manager, I agreed. I wasn't doing much anyway and I had nothing to lose.
It's worked out fantastically well as a partnership, but I realised a long time ago that things in the pop business weren't as exciting or wonderful as they seemed from a distance."  
                                                                       'Melody Maker' 1966

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