Started performing live in 1977 at the age of 15.
The first band was a Mod/New Wave called Joint League.
The first recording was done in 1978 and a self penned single was released called
‘Love Wont Make A Fool Of Me’
In 1980, Pete joined ‘Cavern’, a Preston- based 60’s type band, signed to Kaplan Kayes label, Kay Drum Records.
Cavern released two singles - ‘No Reason to Cry’ and ‘Rain Until September’. Both releases received major BBC Radio One coverage, and Record of the Week on Mike Reid’s show. The band performed at many Radio One Roadshows.
In 1983 Pete formed his own band, ‘Shout’ and recorded an album, releasing the classic Jagger/Richards song ‘Out Of Time’ as a single in Scandinavia, recorded at the now legendary PUK studios (Elton John, Gary Moore, Dr. Hook, Judas Priest, Depeche Mode, etc) in Denmark. In 1986 Pete joined Wayne Fontana as one of his Mindbenders. Later that year, Hal Carter asked Pete to re- form Cavern for an extensive East European tour. Pete agreed and in East Germany - before the Wall came down – Cavern performed at major theatres and halls.
Whilst in Germany, Pete met up with founding Swinging Blue Jeans members Ray Ennis and Les Braid. On his return to England, Pete joined the Swinging Blue Jeans as tour manager, also playing drums on several TV shows in Ireland! During this period, he also met up with The Hollies founding member, Eric Haydock and- needless to say – they formed a band , performing all the classic hits Eric enjoyed in the original Hollies. At this point, Pete was playing drums and singing lead vocals – a’la Don Henley of The Eagles and Phil Collins.
In 1990, Pete met up with founding member of 70’s chart toppers Lieutenant Pigeon, Steve Johnson, This was the start of a four year relationship which spawned the album ‘Retromania’. Whilst touring with Lieutenant Pigeon in 1991, Pete met Hilton Valentine, guitarist and founding member of The Animals. The two put a band together called ‘Hilton Valentines’ Animals’, with Pete acting as their Manager/Agent. Within six months, Hilton had approached another founding member of The Animals- John Steel. This was the birth of the new formed Animals. At this time, Pete was also gigging and running an agency, (Rock Artist Management) booking bands all over the world. On the strength of The Animals’ success. Pete tracked down Jim McCarty and Chris Dreja, both original members of The Yardbirds, persuading them to re-start the band. Both McCarty and Dreja accepted and became the third managed band on the RAM roster. With the RAM wheels now spinning, the next addition was Denny Laine of The Moody Blues and Paul McCartney & Wings fame. Pete put a band around Denny, performing all the old Wings songs.
The next addition to the agency was former Jimi Hendrix Experience bassist, Noel Redding, who Pete put together as a band with John Coghlan (Status Quo) and Eric Bell (Thin Lizzy).
In 2003 Pete had the pleasure of putting together an album of original songs as Animals & Friends, penned by John Williamson, John Steel and himself. They recorded the album with a variety of guests, including Rick Wakeman (YES, Strawbs) , Paul Jones (The Blues Band, Manfred Mann), Eric Bell (Thin Lizzy) , Noel Redding (Jimi Hendrix), Aynsley Dunbar (Whitesnake) plus many more – and produced by Jerry Donahue (Fairport Convention, Sandy Denny, Chris Rea, Gerry Rafferty, Joan Armatrading, etc)
Over the years, Pete Barton has put together and been involved very heavily in reforming bands. Other credits include the nucleus of Classic Whitesnake with Bernie Marsden, Micky Moody and Don Airey. Whilst booking their tours, Pete met up with Lizzy’s Scott Gorham and, once again, the wheels were spinning; within a month Pete had Thin Lizzy back performing with Brian Downey, Scott Gorham, John Sykes, Darren Wharton and Marco Mendosa.
In 1996 Pete was approached by Wayne Fontana to become the bass player in The Mindbenders with him fronting the band. Needless to say a Mindbender was born.
In 1997 Pete formed a band with Trevor Burton - original guitarist from seminal British band, The Move - and toured Europe. The following year, Pete started a band alongside original Smokie guitarist Alan Silson, recording and touring extensively. Alan then introduced Pete to Peter Spencer, another Smokie original, whom Pete also had the pleasure of performing alongside.
In 1999 Pete began performing alongside John Steel from The Animals, by this time having also brought Dave Rowberry back into the bands’ ranks. Sadly in 2004 Dave Rowberry passed away, at which point 1965 Animal (he had replaced Alan Price when Price had suddenly ‘jumped ship’) and original Blockheads member, Mick Gallagher joined the band.This line-up of the band is still touring to this day , with Pete (vocals & bass) John Steel (drums) , Mick Gallagher (keyboards) and John Williamson (guitar) . On occasion they have Spencer Davis join the band as Special Guest and filling that spot soon will be legendary Booker T and the MGs/Otis Redding guitarist, Steve Cropper.
Alongside performing with John and Mick from The Animals, Pete has now teamed up with Garry Roberts and Simon Crowe former members of The Boomtown Rats and will be performing a select number of dates.
Alongside all this Peter still writes and records songs and is currently working on his third solo album along with a Jazz album alongside Dylan Howe and his Quintet.a
