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Peter GrantBritish rock manager who worked with Led Zeppelin
Date of Birth: 05.04.1935
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
Biography of Peter Grant
Peter 'G' Grant was a British rock manager who worked with the band 'Led Zeppelin'. He truly cared for his musicians like a father figure, protecting and supporting them with his impressive presence and firm fists when necessary. He was also incredibly honest with the musicians, always sharing the hardships of life on the road. Some even believe that without Peter Grant, there would be no 'Led Zeppelin' at all.
Early Life and Career
Peter Grant, born in 1935 in London, England, had his education interrupted by the evacuation during World War II. He dropped out of school at the age of 13 and began working at a steel foundry in Croydon. After a brief stint as a steelworker, Peter became a messenger for the 'Reuters' agency and later worked as a stagehand at the Croydon Empire Theatre. He stayed there until 1953 when he was called up for military service. After his service, Peter found work as a bouncer at the famous London bar 'The 2i's Coffee Bar'.
It was no coincidence that Peter ended up working as a bouncer. His early life seemed to follow a Dickensian script - growing up without a father, navigating the streets, and leaving school behind. Naturally, he developed a strong and determined character. It was at the bar that Peter met Paul Lincoln, a professional Australian wrestler, who offered Peter a chance to try his hand at television. After his first TV appearances under the pseudonyms 'Count Massimo' and 'Count Bruno Alassio of Milan', Peter started receiving offers for replacement roles, dubbing, and stunt work. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, Peter appeared in films such as 'A Night to Remember', 'The Guns of Navarone', and 'Cleopatra', as well as various television projects.
In the early 1960s, Peter had the opportunity to work as a tour manager for artists like Little Richard, Gene Vincent, The Everly Brothers, and 'The Animals'. It is said that Peter once defended Little Richard and got into a fight with a well-known impresario. When six police officers arrived to calm the situation, Peter ended up fighting them as well. Starting in late 1966, Grant worked with 'The Yardbirds', organizing concerts and securing favorable contract conditions for the musicians. It was during this time that Peter gained invaluable experience, which he later put to use in his most significant project - 'Led Zeppelin'.
Manager of Led Zeppelin
It was with the band 'Led Zeppelin' that Peter Grant's name became known worldwide. He was hailed as a brilliant manager - strict and kind, tough, but also fair. The members of 'Led Zeppelin' were incredibly fortunate to have Peter as their manager. It is rumored that the band would receive up to 90% of the profits from concert organization. Grant kept a close eye on all illegal distribution points for the band's music, prevented counterfeits and unauthorized album sales, and fought against illegal merchandise. He was everything to the musicians.
In 1969, Grant founded his own record label called 'Superhype', which allowed him to exert even more control over the creation and distribution of the band's music. Interestingly, for the sake of his wards, Grant turned down the opportunity to work with the band 'Queen' in the mid-1970s, a decision that would have been highly lucrative from a commercial standpoint. Peter genuinely cared for his musicians, protecting and supporting them with his formidable presence and fists when necessary. He was also incredibly honest with the musicians, always sharing the hardships of life on the road. Some even believe that without Peter Grant, there would be no 'Led Zeppelin'.
Later Years and Legacy
After the band's breakup, Peter Grant, this seemingly mighty man, began to fade. The loss of the legendary band member John Bonham, whom Peter loved like a son, and his own failing health, which he did not take care of, were contributing factors. There were rumors of cocaine and alcohol use and troubles in his personal life. He lived alone in his house in Eastbourne, and in 1989, he even made a public appearance with Jimmy Page. Peter Grant passed away on November 21, 1995, from a sudden heart attack while driving his car. He was buried in the St. Peter and St. Paul's churchyard in Hellingly, East Sussex. In 1996, the 'Music Managers Forum, MMF' award was renamed the 'Peter Grant Award' in recognition of his contributions to rock management.
