Peter Allen (1944–1992), singer, songwriter and entertainer, was born Peter Allen Woolnough in Tenterfield, New South Wales. At age fifteen he joined with singer Chris Bell to form the Allen Brothers, and by 1964 was part of a successful singing trio chosen to support Judy Garland on her world tour. He married Garland's daughter Liza Minnelli in 1967; they separated two years later. In the 1970s he became a successful cabaret performer and recording artist. Among his more enduring songs are 'I Go to Rio' and 'I Still Call Australia Home'. He also achieved success composing for other performers, co-writing such hits as Olivia Newton-John’s Grammy-winning 'I Honestly Love You' and Christopher Cross' 'Arthur’s Theme (Best That you Can Do)', which won best song at the 1981 Academy Awards. Allen played his final concerts to packed houses in Sydney in January 1992, just five months before his death.
In 1980 Allen had returned to Australia from New York (via Los Angeles) with his one-man extravaganza for the stage, Up in One: More than a Concert, and ultimately performed for the Queen and Prince Philip in the Royal Charity Concert at the Sydney Opera House on 27 May. William Yang photographed Allen lounging on a chaise at 'Wirian', pop artist Martin Sharp's Bellevue Hill home – a hub for creatives in Sydney, including Yang, from the late 1970s until Sharp's death in 2013.
Purchased 2003
© William Yang
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
William Yang on his heritage and becoming a photographer in the 70s.
An interview with photographer William Yang who recalls his encounters with the author Patrick White.
