Peter Beckett 
was born in the Aigburth section of Liverpool England. In the early sixties, he began taking an interest in music; listening to his older brother's records, and "air" guitaring with a tennis racket to the radio. He was also greatly influenced by listening to Radio London and Radio Luxemburg. Like most teens in the 60's, he was greatly influenced by The Beatles. He would frequent some of their lunchtime sets at the famous Cavern Club. Because he was under legal age, his older brother would smuggle him into the club. He was impressed with what he heard and saw, and decided that this was what he wanted to do with his life. He later moved to London and spent almost ten years there during the "Swinging London" days. 

*THE THOUGHTS*

In 1966, Peter joined a band called The Thoughts, who had originally recorded as the backing vocals for Tiffany(Tiffany's Thoughts). In this guise, they released two singles on Parlaphone Records called "I Know" and "Find Out What's Happening". They also backed other local bands such as Paul Dean, and Johnny and John. In 1966, they switched to Planet Records and made their debut as 'The Thoughts' with "All Night Stand". A comparatively risque single for the times, the A-side was a Ray Davies composition, produced by Shel Talmy. Along with Alan Hornby on bass, Phil Boardman on lead guitar, Dave Croft on drums, and Peter himself on guitar and vocals, they released 'All Night Stand' on September 30, 1966. Two different versions were released of this single, a slower version in the UK, and a more upbeat version in the US. Requested by Shel Talmy, owner of Planet Records, Ray wrote this song for a movie based on a book by Thom Keyes, also called 'All Night Stand', for 20th Century Fox. The book concerned the trials and tribulations of a young Beat band, loosely modeled on the rise of the Beatles. However, the movie was never made. 

Although the single by The Thoughts received great reviews from the critics, it just barely made the charts. The B-Side, 'Memory Of Your Love', was equally as good and written by Peter and Phil Boardman. This single was recorded on the Planet label and distributed by Phillips Records Ltd. Innovative in being an independent record label in the 60's, Planet lasted only a year but produced 22 singles and two albums by such bands as The Kinks, The Who, The Creation, The Easy Beats, to name a few. In the later years, The Thoughts took on a lead singer named Denny Alexander, formerly of Earl Preston's Realms. The band also made a video short called "Girls In Short Short Dresses".(see info below) Two of their unrecorded songs were played during this video, called "Pretty Girl" and "Call Me Girl". When chart success eluded the band, the group broke up going their own separate ways. 

"Until You Love Someone"


Beat Beat Beat

German TV 1967

"If You Don't Come Back"

Beat Beat Beat

German TV 1967

          "Girls In Short Short Dresses" 
        Film Clip (1966)

Paramount made this topical film in the final days of the theatrical short subject era, to capitalize on the worldwide interest in then very-Swinging London. It stars actual mod band The Thoughts, who are best known to collectors for their recording of Ray Davies' otherwise unreleased song "All Night Stand," on Shel Talmy's Planet Records label. In this previously unheralded Technicolor film, they perform two songs, "Pretty Girl" and "Call Me Girl", in the famous Blaise's nightclub. In a reverse on the usual rock band scenario, they chase girls around tube stations and Carnaby Street boutiques. The film also makes a visit to the studio of fashion designer Mary Quant, inventor of the mini-skirt.

This film is owned Jay Schwartz, a film collector from Philadelphia, PA. Jay runs an event every weekend called Secret Cinema at Moore College. Secret Cinema is a project that was started in 1992, after Jay sensed a need to expose new audiences to neglected films of all kinds. Fore more info: http://www.thesecretcinema.com/
 

PHIL BOARDMAN  

Phil has been in Norway since early 80`s and is quite happy,writing,recording, and playing. Now, with new album "All This Confusion" with Shaun Ashworth, who is also his partner on songs, all is well. Phil still plays piano bars and does session work in Norway, where he has lived for twenty years.

For more info on Phil:
www.boardmanashworth.blogspot.com

DAVE CROFT