Desert Island Discs

Which 2 albums would you take with you to a desert island?

Pat Metheny - Secret Story
Mozart - Symphonies No.40 & 41

Biography

Peter White was born in Luton, England in 1954 and raised in the nearby peaceful town of Letchworth Garden City. Encouraged by his father, White became interested in music from an early age. Like many youngsters of that era he started playing the recorder and the piano, but didn’t stop there. His lessons would expand to the guitar, clarinet, cornet, trombone and violin.

“I was about 8 when I first started playing the guitar”, White recalls. “I learned by putting my fingers in different positions on the strings and listening to how it sounded. I always liked the low strings and that’s all I played for the first few months”.

White was influenced by many giants of music of the time, such as Jethro Tull, Cream, Led Zeplin and Jimi Hendrix. White was further mesmerised by Eric Clapton after watching the Cream farewell concert on television.

“I was hooked. I thought that perhaps I could be just like Clapton! I had more work to do. I tried to learn every note that he ever played, including the magnificent solo in “Crossroads”. All five verses. I also started letting my hair grow long, as all rock musicians had long hair at that time”.

In 1974 at the age of 19, White got his first professional break, playing at a holiday resort in the south of England. At the time White was content with playing karaoke classics such as “Tie a Yellow Ribbon”… and getting paid.
The opportunity to actually play music in a band and greater independence was also a great attraction.

White’s next venture was with the psychedelic Principal Edwards’ Magic Theatre group in London. This would prove to be a brief gig, as the band went their separate ways soon after he joined. Nothing is wasted, White used this opportunity to settle in London. His practise on piano at an early age would soon pay off. After a phone call from Al Stewart’s manager, White was recruited to play in Stewart’s band as a keyboard player. White would later provide guitar, as well as keyboard backup, specifically on the “Year of The Cat” album. Such exposure to the world of recording and international touring would prove invaluable experience.

In 1977 White relocated to California and was part of Stewart’s newly formed group Shot In The Dark. The group managed to release one album before their record company (RSO) fell bankrupt.

White joined his brother (Danny) who formed the group Matt Bianco. Together with vocalist (Basia), the band toured extensively and sold millions of albums worldwide.

Throughout the late 1980’s White gained further valuable experience performing and recording with artists such as Bernie Leadon (from the Eagles), Johnny Rivers, Tori Amos, Janis Ian and Susanna Hoffs (Bangles).

In 1990 at the age of 35, White released his first solo album “Reveillez-Vous”.
The popularity of this album soon grew with regular airplay on selective radio stations.

In 1995 White joined Richard Elliot, Warren Hill and Craig Chaquico on the very first “Guitars & Saxes” tour. He continues to play an integral part of the tour line up to this day. White has collobarted with many world leading artists such as George Benson, Christopher Cross, Gato Barbieri, Gerald Albright,
Rick Braun, Chris Botti, Paul McCartney and the late Freddie Mercury.

Featured musicians: Peter White – guitar, Oli Silk – keyboards, Rob Hughes tenor saxophone and flute,
Frank Felix – bass guitar & Westley Joseph - drums

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