Peter Wells
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Peter Wells or Pete Wells (born circa 1948 - died 27 March 2006) is best known as the slide guitarist with Australian rock band Rose Tattoo. Wells first rose to prominence as bassist with the pioneering Sydney-based heavy metal outfit Buffalo in the 1970's.
In 1976, Wells formed Rose Tattoo with former Buster Brown vocalist Angry Anderson, guitarist Mick Cocks, bassist Ian Rilen and drummer Dallas Royal. The band's hard rock style soon developed a strong following in Sydney leading to Albert Productions
offering them a record contract. Their single "Bad Boy for Love" became a hit and their self-titled debut album established their reputation with production by George Young and Harry Vanda formerly of The Easybeats. Rilen left the band to be replaced by former Buster Brown bassist Geordie Leech.
After the release of their second album Assault and Battery, Rose Tattoo embarked on an international tour. They were the loudest band to play at the Marquee Club since Led Zeppelin. After the release of their third album Scarred for Life, the band supported Aerosmith and ZZ Top on US tours.[1]
Wells left the band in 1983 with Royal and Robin Riley who had replaced Cocks in 1982. After Wells left Rose Tattoo, he fronted The Pete Wells Band. He also worked on side projects to his credit, such as the Lucy DeSoto Band, Rocks Push with Rob Grosser and Chris Turner, and Hillbilly Moon with Paul Norton and Cletis Carr. Rose Tattoo reformed briefly in 1993 to support Guns N' Roses on an Australian tour.
Wells was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002. Australian musicians played benefit gigs for him in 2005 including Rose Tattoo, Peter Garrett, The Beasts of Bourbon, Tex, Don and Charlie, Paul Kelly and Tim Rogers and the Temperance Union. (Sunday Herald Sun "Big lineup at Wells benefit concert" 4 September 2005) Peter Wells died on 27 March 2006 from the disease.
