Pete's musical influences ( In addition to Frankie Laine) are listed below. Pete was brought up with classical music in the family, his father a distant relative of Artur Rubintein, was an accomplished pianist and tried without success to teach Pete the piano. It was more reading music that was the problem rather than just playing, because Pete taught himself (with the help of his wife Sue) to play the piano later in life. Pete has always played instruments 'by ear', in some ways an advantage but in others a disadvantage. When Pete was 11 years old his father enrolled him in 'St Mary of the angels' choir school in Adlestone, Surrey, where he learned to sing in harmony. During the 50's the great crooners captivated Pete who felt the urge to sing and entertain. ( When he was 12 he stood up at his uncle Bert's South Ealing working men's club and brought the house down by singing 'Too young' a hit by Nat king Cole) As mentioned on page one, Pete got his first guitar in 1954, ( Christmas present from his father) and off went the skiffle.
The first big influence after Frankie Laine for Pete, was of course;
ELVIS PRESLEY
It was one sunday nite while pete was ironing his school tie ready for the cutaway colar & 'windsor' knot he needed the next day at school, that he was watching the 'Jack Jackson show' on TV. New 'pop' records were played and mimed to by himself, Libby Morris and others. 'Heartbreak hotel' by Elvis came on the air and Pete nearly burned his tie! Wow! that amazing bluesy style, that echo! soon Pete was listening to the new RCA LP ( The first to sell a million rock and roll music). 'Trying to get to you' & 'thats alright mamma', stuck in his mind and to this day Pete often includes these great Elvis hits in his programmes. Pete was also impressed by 'old shep' and some of Elvis's gospel songs. Another favourite album is the 'How great thou art' collection of gospel songs. Elvis was not just an icon but had a wonderful voice with a tremendous range. His timing was perfect & choice of songs without compare.His sad demise has made Pete aware that fame and fortune are not as important as enjoying the music itself,being aware too of ones limitations and not striving for too much in life.
WOODY GUTHRIE
When skiffle first appeared, it was a number of Guthrie numbers that were chosen by Lonnie Donegan like,'Jesse James' & 'dead or alive'. It wasnt till many years later that Pete started to show an interest in the fascinating & heroic life of the legand of american folk music. In 2002 Pete produced & presented with his band the life story of Woody Guthrie in words and music at the Railway hotel, in Wymondham, Norfolk. Pete has included in his repertoire many of Woody's songs which cover so many aspects of everyday life.
THE CARTER FAMILY
It was when Pete was loaned a Carter family album by a friend who thought his style was similar, that he appreciated the way there music so profoundly influenced American folk & bluegrass music. Pete often plays 'wobash cannonball' and especially 'keep on the sunny side' at his gigs. Pete points out that 'Keep on the sunny side' was composed on the suggestion of Preseident Rosevelt who asked several musicians of the time to come up with some uplifting songs that would help to combat peoples feeling of depression due to the slump in the 1930's. Actually the lyrics are very appropiate in todays world!
©2007 - 2012 PETE 'KIWI' KEEGAN veteran american folk musician. Bluegrass,skiffle & blues . Another Skiffle Band.