Full name, Peter Woolnough Allen; born February 10, 1944, in Tenterfield, Australia; died of complications from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS),June 18, 1992, in San Diego, CA. Performer and songwriter. Considered a consummate showman, Allen entertained audiences throughout the world with his flamboyant concert stage shows. At age fourteen, Allen began singing in pubs inAustralia, then traveled to the Far East. In 1962, Allen was discovered by Judy Garland in Hong Kong and toured as her opening act. He later performed atNew York's Radio City Music Hall and acted in productions of Gilbert and Sullivan for British television. A prolific composer, Allen recorded eleven albums of his own compositions and wrote music for Hollywood films. He won an Academy Award in 1982 for "Arthur's Theme" from the movie Arthur. He alsowrote the hits "I Honestly Love You" for Olivia Newton-John and "Don't Cry Out Loud" for Melissa Manchester. In 1979 he appeared in an acclaimed one-man show on Broadway, and in 1988, he wrote the music and lyrics for, and starredin, the musical Legs Diamond.
Periodicals
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