"Thursday's Top Tune Throwback" – Peter and Gordon's "I Go To Pieces"

Way back in 1964, a song entitled “A World Without Love” would become a number one hit. The duo, Peter Asher and Gordon Waller, were now on their way to stardom. The hit song written by Lennon and McCartney was the first of several huge contributions that the greatest songwriting team in the history of music would provide to the new duo.
What was the connection between John and Paul with Peter & Gordon? Paul who between 1963 and 1968 dated Peter’s sister, Jane, a British actress is probably where the association developed its roots. Jane and Paul were engaged at one time. Jane had initially met Paul in April 1963 when at age 17 she was interviewing the Beatles in conjunction with her broadcasting role at the time. Other megahits the two Beatles would supply included “Nobody I Know”; “I Don’t Want to See You Again” and “Woman.” Paul penned “Woman” utilizing the pseudonym “Bernard Webb” to see if it was just the magical name of Lennon and McCartney driving the success of songs.  It wasn’t as “Woman” soon proved.
Peter & Gordon did not solely rely on John and Paul for their run of classics. Del Shannon of “Runaway” fame was also an outstanding writer and contributed “I Go to Pieces” (this week’s throwback) which reached #9 on Billboard. The duo met Del in Australia in 1964 when they all were touring the country along with the Searchers.
The duo covered two former charted hits when “True Love Ways” (a Buddy Holly remake) and “To Know You Is to Love You”( a slight variation from The Teddy Bears) that also climbed the record rankings.
Later in his career, Peter would manage and produce Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor. Peter & Gordon reunited for the first time in more than 30 years when on August 2, 2005, they joined on stage at the House of Blues in NYC. The special sound of Peter& Gordon will be forever with us as the Shannon/Lennon, and McCartney influence will likewise enhance our musical enjoyment.

Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.