Peter Beckett and J.C. Crowley met each other at a Hollywood Party in early 1977. The two found each other interesting in their diversity: Beckett, a rock musician from Liverpool, England and Crowley, a country singer from Texas. Within a week, they started writing songs together. A short time later, they enlisted the help of Ronn Moss on bass and John Friesen on drums and Player was born.
After Robert Stigwood signed Player to RSO, they enjoyed success for many years following their number one single “Baby Come Back” which was written by Beckett and Crowley and sung by Beckett. They toured with Boz Scaggs, Eric Clapton, Heart & Kenny Loggins, among others. Eventually J.C. Crowley left the band to record a solo country album and Ronn Moss left the band and became “Ridge Forrester” on the CBS soap The Bold & The Beautiful for some 25 years.
Beckett continued to write and produce several more albums as Player. Concurrently, he spent nine years in Little River Band, writing several singles for them as well as a featured performer singing “Baby Come Back” at every show. He has also penned music for many movies and television shows including Karate Kid, St Elmo’s Fire (Grammy nominated), Frankie & Johnnie, Basic, Terminator 3, along with writing hits for other artists including Olivia Newton-John, Kenny Rogers, Heart and The Temptations. Player is still going strong with lead singer Peter Beckett at the helm and their current line-up of talented musicians including long-time Player lead guitarist Rob Math, guest drummer Burleigh Drummond of Ambrosia, keyboardist Francis “Buster” Akrey (Steely Dan) & bass player Mark Winley (Johnny Winter Band).
Recent Comments