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.
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.
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Peter Grattan collection
Cliff and The Clan, Whangārei, 1966. From left: Garry Williams, Peter Grattan, Cliff Andrews, John Calder.
Paul Hewson and Peter Grattan rehearsing at Rob Maginley’s, 1970
Peter Grattan on drums, backing Peter Posa.
Peter Grattan with a 100-year old Steinway in Florida, 2011.
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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!"
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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.
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Peter Grattan collection
Peter Grattan helping set up Te Raki TV as part of Channel Northland during the COVID lockdown in Whangārei, 2020.
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Tania Whyte
Peter Grattan behind the kit drumming with The First Impression in Auckland, early 1970s.
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Peter Grattan collection
Peter Grattan on the Shazam! set with Phillip Schofield, 1982.
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Peter Grattan collection
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.
The Arch, 1970. Left to right, Paul Hewson, Peter Grattan, Rob Maginley, Noddy Dawson, Rangi Williams.
Peter Grattan and Bogdan Kominowski (aka Mr Lee Grant) in London, 2012.
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Peter Grattan collection
The Arch, 1970. Left to right, Rob Maginley, Paul Hewson, Rangi Williams, Peter Grattan, Noddy Dawson.
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."
Peter Grattan rockin' in the USA with The Rockits, 2024. Jim, Eyes, Peter Grattan, Robin, BillE and BillyO, and the tip jar monkey.
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Peter Grattan collection
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.
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Peter Grattan collection
Peter Grattan with his new Ludwig kit, 2024.
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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.
Never Again by Peter Grattan (2018)
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.
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Peter Grattan collection
Jolly Roger in 1970. From left: Peter Grattan, Rex Smith, Peter Traille, John Walmsley (ex Hi Revving Tongues)
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Peter Grattan collection
Shazam!, early 1980s (L-R): host Phillip Schofield, PA Joanne Hulton, producer Peter Grattan
Peter Grattan at the Battle of the Bands, 1969
PG and The Hot Tips - 'Singing The Blues' 7" b-side. Released in 1982 through CBS Records.
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.
The Green and Yellow, early 1969. From left: Peter Grattan, PG, (Jon) Paul Collecutt, Bob Patient, Rex (Francis) Smith, Whymond (Motz) Opai.
Peter Grattan as a young boy with his first drum kit which cost £29 from Beggs. "5000+ gigs ago in Whangārei, March 1966."
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Peter Grattan collection
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."
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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.
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Peter Grattan collection
PG & The Hot Tips - Hot Guitars (1982)
Peter Grattan outside Abbey Road Studios, London, 2012.
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Peter Grattan collection
PG & The Hot Tips - 'Ready To Rock 'N' Roll' 7" back cover (1983)
PG and The Hot Tips performing for Relay For Life at Jammin' Java, Virginia (2017)
A young Peter Grattan, 1968
Labels:
CBS
Salem
Discography