Peter Grattan
Peter Grattan has enjoyed 60 years as a professional and semi-professional musician in a career which also spans promotions and television. Primarily known as a drummer, he also plays guitar and keyboards.
Born in Cheshire, England in August 1951, Peter was the only child to an English father and Welsh mother who had met in war-torn Berlin following World War II. In 1955 his father secured a position in Egypt, repairing military vehicles around the Suez region. In July 1956 Grattan Sr was taken hostage during the Suez Crisis; Peter and his mother were airlifted back to Britain.
Jolly Roger in 1970. From left: Peter Grattan, Rex Smith, Peter Traille, John Walmsley (ex Hi Revving Tongues)
Photo credit:
Peter Grattan collection
Poster for Battle of the Bands at Auckland Town Hall, August 1967. Out of 50 bands competing, Green & Yellow won the contest that year but the Australian promoter skipped back to Sydney without delivering the prize.
Photo credit:
Peter Grattan collection
The Green and Yellow, early 1969. From left: Peter Grattan, PG, (Jon) Paul Collecutt, Bob Patient, Rex (Francis) Smith, Whymond (Motz) Opai.
Peter Grattan outside Abbey Road Studios, London, 2012.
Photo credit:
Peter Grattan collection
Peter Grattan as a young boy with his first drum kit which cost £29 from Beggs. "5000+ gigs ago in Whangārei, March 1966."
Photo credit:
Peter Grattan collection
PG and The Hot Tips performing for Relay For Life at Jammin' Java, Virginia (2017)
Never Again by Peter Grattan (2018)
Shazam!, early 1980s (L-R): host Phillip Schofield, PA Joanne Hulton, producer Peter Grattan
Peter Grattan with his new Ludwig kit, 2024.
Photo credit:
Peter Grattan collection
Peter Grattan behind the kit drumming with The First Impression in Auckland, early 1970s.
Photo credit:
Peter Grattan collection
Paul Hewson and Peter Grattan rehearsing at Rob Maginley’s, 1970
Peter Grattan on drums, backing Peter Posa.
The Marble Arch, briefly renamed The Saint Ludwig Group for Peter Grattan’s debut with them at the Mount Roskill War Memorial Hall, 1967. Left to right, David Pou, Rangi Williams, Peter Grattan, Paul Hewson, John Hewson.
Peter Grattan rockin' in the USA with The Rockits, 2024. Jim, Eyes, Peter Grattan, Robin, BillE and BillyO, and the tip jar monkey.
Photo credit:
Peter Grattan collection
PG & The Hot Tips - 'Ready To Rock 'N' Roll' 7" back cover (1983)
Peter Grattan and Bogdan Kominowski (aka Mr Lee Grant) in London, 2012.
Photo credit:
Peter Grattan collection
The Marble Arch at St Ludwig's in 1967. Paul Hewson is second from right, Peter Grattan is on drums and Rangi Williams is on keyboards. Grattan would leave to join The Green and Yellow, after they won the Battle Of The Bands featured in the posters on the wall. He would briefly rejoin the other two in The Arch.
Photo credit:
Peter Grattan collection
PG & The Hot Tips - 'Ready To Rock 'N' Roll' 7" released on CBS (1983). From left, clockwise: Gary Bayer, Jackie Thompson, Viv McCarthy (ex Larry's Rebels), Peter Grattan. "We did so well with gigs between 1982 and 1986 that we bought a Waihi beach bach from the band fund."
The Arch, 1970. Left to right, Paul Hewson, Peter Grattan, Rob Maginley, Noddy Dawson, Rangi Williams.
Cliff and The Clan, Whangārei, 1966. From left: Garry Williams, Peter Grattan, Cliff Andrews, John Calder.
Peter Grattan helping set up Te Raki TV as part of Channel Northland during the COVID lockdown in Whangārei, 2020.
Photo credit:
Tania Whyte
Whangārei Boys High form 5A, 1966. Peter Grattan on the far left, centre: "I missed School C by three points because I was drumming in The Clan."
Photo credit:
Peter Grattan collection
PG & The Hot Tips - Hot Guitars (1982)
Peter Grattan at the Battle of the Bands, 1969
The Jolly Roger trio on Ukrainian ship Shota Rustaveli, NZ-UK return, 1977. Richard Williamson on guitar, Murray Duncan on organ and Peter Grattan on drums.
Photo credit:
Peter Grattan collection
Peter Grattan on drums with Tim Finn and the Topp Twins at Ian Magan's farewell Split Enz party following their final concert in Auckland, December 1984.
Photo credit:
Peter Grattan collection
Peter Grattan at former US President Jimmy Carter's 80th birthday party in Florida, 2004. "Carter sang a Willie Nelson song, and said that his mate Willie never let him sing!"
Photo credit:
Peter Grattan collection
Peter Grattan on the Shazam! set with Phillip Schofield, 1982.
Photo credit:
Peter Grattan collection
The Arch on stage at The Monaco, 1970. Left to right, Paul Hewson, Rangi Williams, DJ Keith Adams, Rob Maginley, Noddy Dawson, Peter Grattan.
The Arch, 1970. Left to right, Rob Maginley, Paul Hewson, Rangi Williams, Peter Grattan, Noddy Dawson.
The Charlie Brown Band in 1976. Charlie on organ, Gary Bayer on guitar, and Peter Grattan on drums. The band would play six nights a week at Toby Jug in Titirangi.
PG and The Hot Tips - 'Singing The Blues' 7" b-side. Released in 1982 through CBS Records.
Peter Grattan with a 100-year old Steinway in Florida, 2011.
Photo credit:
Peter Grattan collection
Rebellion with Larry Morris, 'a true hero and rock 'n roll rebel.' Kev Furey, Larry Morris, a fan, Chris Fox, Peter Grattan and Alan Wade. Napier, 2014.
Photo credit:
Peter Grattan collection
Discography
Labels:
CBS
Salem
A young Peter Grattan, 1968