MALIBU, Calif. — Peter Asher, a name synonymous with musical excellence, has navigated every facet of the music industry with unparalleled success. Often recognized as the bespectacled, copper-haired Brit gracing the cover of Rolling Stone in December 1977 alongside his celebrated artists James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt, Asher’s journey is far more than just a snapshot of a golden era. It’s a testament to a multifaceted career that has consistently redefined what it means to be a music industry innovator.
At his peak in 1977, a period marked by guiding the careers of two of the decade’s most iconic stars and receiving his first Grammy for producer of the year, Asher humbly attributes his success to his collaborators. “People always ask, ‘What does it take to become a great manager or a great producer?’” Asher reflected. “And the answer is tragically simple: great clients.” However, delving deeper into his story, as explored in David Jacks’s new biography, “Peter Asher: A Life in Music,” reveals a narrative rich with talent, astute decision-making, and a profound understanding of the music landscape.
Initially hesitant about a biography, Asher confessed to David Jacks, “I wouldn’t count on selling it. Because I don’t think I’m all that interesting.” Yet, at 78, Peter Asher embodies a rare and captivating figure in the music business. In an industry that often compartmentalizes talent, Asher has seamlessly transitioned between roles, each time achieving mastery. From his early days as a pop idol during the British Invasion to becoming the head of A&R for The Beatles’ Apple Records, and subsequently a sought-after artist manager and record producer in the ‘70s and ‘80s, Asher’s career is a study in versatility. His journey extends beyond these roles, encompassing stints as a label executive, author of a Beatles book, radio broadcaster, and even a performer once again.
Linda Ronstadt aptly summarizes Asher’s exceptional capabilities: “Anybody can get a bunch of different jobs,” she stated. “The question is whether they can do them well. And Peter has done every single one of them to the utmost.” This sentiment is echoed by Steve Martin, who recalls Asher’s legendary status at the Troubadour nightclub in the 1970s. “Peter’s just one of those people who knows the exact right thing to say, whether you’re at dinner together or working in the studio,” Martin noted, highlighting Asher’s insightful and thoughtful approach to his craft.
This thoughtfulness has been instrumental in Asher’s enduring success, evidenced by 60 gold and platinum albums earned through collaborations with music luminaries like Randy Newman, Carole King, Neil Diamond, and 10,000 Maniacs. Asher himself explains his strategic approach: “I’ve never been someone who reacts with his gut; I tend to think about things in great detail. That’s what’s always helped me to spot the opportunities and move forward.”
The Formative Years: From London Stage to British Invasion
Born in London in 1944, Peter Asher’s upbringing was steeped in culture and intellect. His mother, Margaret Eliot, a Royal Academy of Music teacher whose students included the legendary Beatles producer George Martin, and his father, Dr. Richard Asher, a pioneering medical theorist who identified Munchausen’s Syndrome, shaped his early environment.
Peter, along with his sisters Jane and Clare Asher, began their careers in acting as children. While Peter’s early film work included a role opposite Claudette Colbert in “The Planter’s Wife” (1952), his academic pursuits at Westminster School led him to a pivotal encounter with Gordon Waller. Despite their contrasting personalities – Waller, lanky and sonorous, and Asher, diminutive with a choirboy voice – they formed an instant musical bond. The folk-pop duo Peter & Gordon emerged, signing with EMI Records in 1963 and quickly becoming part of the burgeoning British Invasion.
Jane Asher’s relationship with Paul McCartney proved serendipitous for Peter & Gordon. McCartney, residing with the Asher family, offered them “A World Without Love,” a song initially turned down by John Lennon. It became Peter & Gordon’s debut single, catapulting them to international fame and defining the sound of the British Invasion era.
Early Production Aspirations and Apple Records
Even during Peter & Gordon’s initial success, Peter Asher’s ambitions extended beyond performing. His involvement in shaping “A World Without Love” at EMI Studios ignited his passion for production. “I wanted to be a producer straightaway,” he recalled, captivated by the creative control and collaborative nature of studio work. “To be able to try things out in this beautiful studio and get to tell brilliant musicians, much better than yourself, what to do — that struck me as a fabulous job.”
This early fascination materialized into a significant career shift when The Beatles appointed Peter Asher as the head of A&R for their newly launched Apple Records in 1968. In this role, Asher’s keen ear for talent led him to discover James Taylor, an American singer-songwriter then in London. Asher produced Taylor’s self-titled debut album for Apple, marking the beginning of a long and fruitful professional relationship. Recognizing the need for a fresh start for Taylor, Asher relocated to America with him, a move that would significantly shape both their careers.
Mastering the Art of Music Production and Artist Management
Peter Asher’s production philosophy emphasizes knowing when to refine and when to finalize a recording. Reflecting on his early production experiences, he shared, “When people talk about what a producer does, there are numerous answers. But one of them is knowing when to stop recording.” He illustrated this point with the title track of James Taylor’s third album, “Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon,” which involved over 100 takes to achieve perfection.
In 1973, Asher expanded his role to artist management, taking on Linda Ronstadt. This partnership became one of the most enduring and successful in music history. Ronstadt credits Asher’s open-mindedness for their initial breakthrough. “It was that song ‘Heart Like a Wheel’ that started it,” Ronstadt explained, referring to the Kate & Anna McGarrigle song. “I shopped that to 10 different producers and they all said, ‘That’s corny.’ The record company hated it. But I wanted to record it so badly. When I sang it for Peter he liked it and saw the value of the song.”
Asher’s production for Ronstadt evolved from commercially successful pop albums like “Simple Dreams” and “Living in the USA” to more artistically ambitious projects in the 1980s. He supported Ronstadt’s exploration of the Great American Songbook with “What’s New,” the first of three albums arranged by Nelson Riddle. Despite initial skepticism, Asher championed Ronstadt’s vision: “I did not believe it would be a big hit, let alone sell four million copies. It was purely a belief in Linda.”
This mutual trust was evident when Ronstadt chose Asher to produce her 1987 album “Canciones de Mi Padre,” a deeply personal tribute to her Mexican heritage. Their continued success solidified Asher’s reputation as the producer of choice for leading female artists, including Bonnie Raitt, Diana Ross, Cher, and Natalie Merchant. While not intentionally seeking this niche, Asher acknowledged, “I didn’t seek it out, but have no objection to the fact that I ended up working with so many brilliant women.”
Later Career and Enduring Legacy
After a period as an executive at Sony Music and managing high-profile personalities like Courtney Love and Pamela Anderson in the mid-2000s, Peter Asher returned to performing, reuniting with Gordon Waller until Waller’s passing in 2009. He then collaborated with Jeremy Clyde of Chad & Jeremy, continuing to grace the stage.
However, production remained Asher’s central passion. His diverse projects include soundtracks for composer Hans Zimmer, tribute albums for Buddy Holly and Elton John, and collaborations with friends like Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. Currently, Asher is producing a solo album for Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles, channeling the sophisticated soundscapes reminiscent of his 70s work with Ronstadt. His enthusiasm for studio work remains undiminished. “On a day like today, when I know I’m going into the studio,” Asher remarked, “I wake up excited.”
In a dramatic turn, shortly after the interview, Peter Asher faced a serious health crisis. Following an emergency brain surgery to address a brain bleed resulting from an earlier fall, Asher found himself in intensive care. Reflecting on this near-death experience, Asher remained characteristically philosophical. “I’m not one of those people whose own mortality suddenly dawned on them — it’s never been any question,” he stated. Finding solace in the scientific aspect of his condition, a trait perhaps inherited from his physician father, Asher quipped, “Though I wish I had not been the subject of this particular experiment.”
The recovery period allowed Asher to fully engage with David Jacks’s biography. His reflection upon reading his own life story was both humble and insightful: “And, you know, I realize that perhaps my life has been a bit more interesting than I thought.” Indeed, Peter Asher’s life and career are a compelling narrative of talent, adaptability, and enduring passion for music, cementing his status as a true maestro of the music industry.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/09/arts/music/peter-asher.html
