Peter Straker

Peter Straker (born 7 November 1943) is a Jamaican-born British singer and actor. Throughout his career, Straker has played in numerous musicals, starting with the original West End production of Hair in 1968 and has recorded several studio albums.

Life and career

Straker was born in Jamaica, and moved to London in his early childhood. He first became known in 1968, when he starred as Hud in the original London production of Hair. Over the next three years, he released a succession of singles on the Polydor label, though none became commercially successful. In 1971 (credited mononymously as Straker), he appeared in the comedy-drama film Girl Stroke Boy, co-written and co-produced by Caryl Brahms and Ned Sherrin.

In 1972, he signed with RCA Victor, and had a minor hit with the song "The Spirit is Willing", based on "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by J. S. Bach, and adapted by the songwriting duo of Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley, who also produced the single. Credited to "Peter Straker – The Hands of Dr. Teleny", it entered the charts on 19 February 1972, had a chart life of 4 weeks and peaked at No.40. Howard and Blaikley wrote and produced Straker's first album in 1972, Private...

Read full biography on Wikipedia →