John Petersen (musician)

John Petersen
Birth name John Petersen
Born January 8, 1942
Rudyard, Michigan, US
Died November 11, 2007 (aged 65)
Genres Pop rock, baroque pop, folk rock, garage rock
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Drums, percussion, vocals
Associated acts The Beau Brummels, Harpers Bizarre

John Petersen (January 8, 1942 – November 11, 2007) was an American drummer, most notably for rock bands The Beau Brummels and Harpers Bizarre.

Career

In 1964 Petersen joined the Beau Brummels, whose first two singles, "Laugh, Laugh" and "Just a Little", reached the U.S. top 20. He appeared with the band in the 1965 science-fiction/comedy movie Village of the Giants, which was featured in a 1994 episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000.[1] Petersen also appeared with the band as The Beau Brummelstones on The Flintstones television animated sitcom in the season six episode "Shinrock A Go-Go," which originally aired on December 3, 1965.[2]

Petersen left the group after their third album, Beau Brummels '66, to join Harpers Bizarre.[3] Formerly known as the Tikis, Harpers Bizarre had a top 20 hit with a remake of Simon & Garfunkel's "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" in 1967. The group broke up in 1970, but Petersen returned for a reunion album in 1976. Petersen also occasionally reunited with the Beau Brummels. In 1975, he played with and recorded on the band's self-titled album.[4]

Personal

Petersen married Roberta Templeman, sister of Harpers Bizarre's Ted Templeman, in 1969. Roberta Templeman became a vice president at Warner Bros. Records in the 1980s.[4] Petersen died on November 11, 2007.[5]

References

  1. Renzi, Thomas C. (2004). H.G. Wells: Six Scientific Romances Adapted for Film (2nd ed.). Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press. p. 173. ISBN 978-0-8108-4989-1.
  2. Childs, T. Mike (2004). The Rocklopedia Fakebandica. New York: St. Martin's Press. p. 14. ISBN 978-0-312-32944-0.
  3. "Rolling Stone – The Beau Brummels – Biography". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2009-08-23.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "John Petersen – Biography". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 2009-08-23.
  5. "Artists – Harpers Bizarre – Biography". NME. Retrieved 2009-08-23.