More Info on Peter LaughnerSimilar Undetermined MusicSearch Artistopia
Biography
Infobox musical artist | name = Peter Laughner| image = Plaughner_right.gif?| caption = Peter Laughner, right, with David Thomas (musician)|David Thomas | image_size =| background = solo_singer| birth_name = Peter Ravenscroft Laughner| alias =| birth_date = birth_date|1952|8|22|mf=y| death_date = dda|1977|6|22|1952|8|22|mf=y| origin = Bay Village, Ohio | instrument = guitar | genre = Rock music|Rock , Acoustic music|acoustic , Protopunk|proto-punk , Garage rock|garage | occupation = Singing|Singer , songwriter , guitarist | years_active = 1968–1977| label =| associated_acts = Rocket From the Tombs , Pere Ubu | website =| notable_instruments = Peter Laughner (August 22, 1952 & ndash; June 22, 1977) was an United States|American guitarist , songwriter and singing|singer .
A native of Bay Village, Ohio , Laughner remains a rather little known figure; nonetheless, Richie Unterberger described him as "probably the single biggest catalyst in the birth of Cleveland's alternative rock scene in the mid 1970s."Allmusic|class=artist|id=p143955/biography|pure_url=yes
Music career
Laughner led a variety of groups. Among them were Mr. Charlie, Cinderella Backstreet, Peter & The Wolves, The Blue Drivers and Friction. However, his most enduring contributions were to Rocket From The Tombs and the early work of Pere Ubu (band)|Pere Ubu . In addition to all this, he wrote for Creem magazine. http://www.handsomeproductions.com/wordsbypete.htm#creem
Laughner was a voracious rock fan and writer, and was heavily influenced by the writings of Lester Bangs . Like Bangs, Laughner worshiped Lou Reed , but also drew inspiration from folk and blues figures such as Robert Johnson (musician)|Robert Johnson and Woody Guthrie . Tom Verlaine was also one of Laughner's idols. Peter Laughner is dead , Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung: The Work of a Legendary Critic: Rock 'n' Roll as Literature and Literature as Rock 'n' Roll|Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung: The Work of a Legendary Critic , collected writings, Greil Marcus , ed. Anchor Press, 1988. (ISBN 0-679-72045-6) http://www.handsomeproductions.com/wordsaboutpete.htm#bangs He was a unique, visceral lead guitarist whose greatest influence was Fairport Convention guitarist Richard Thompson (musician)|Richard Thompson .
Laughner was briefly considered as a replacement for Richard Lloyd (guitarist)|Richard Lloyd when he departed Television (band)|Television , http://www.scamcity.com/index.php? story_id=95 a band he championed from their earliest days. However, Richard Lloyd disputes this. http://richardlloyd.com/solute.htm
Death
Laughner had severe drug and alcohol abuse problems that ultimately led to his death by acute pancreatitis in 1977 at the age of 24. Lester Bangs wrote a eulogy for him, simply titled "Peter Laughner is Dead"." http://web.archive.org/web/20070707180929/ http://www.handsomeproductions.com/wordsaboutpete.htm Handsome Productions: Peter Laughner, Words About Pete (Internet Archive) http://www.dancingaboutarc.com/essays/bangsessay.html Dancing About Architecture: Kill Your Sons, The Short, Turbulent Life of Lester Bangs
Rumors to the effect that Laughner was despondent, even suicidal, at the time of his death have been contradicted by Laughner's last known message, written and mailed to Cleveland singer Ruby Port on the evening prior to his death. This letter revealed his intent to move to a retreat in the Ohio countryside, where he could write new music as well as rest and regain his health.
Recordings
Laughner's only known entrance into a recording studio was for the Pere Ubu single sessions, though he left behind countless lo-fi live, rehearsal, and demo recordings. In 1994, Tim/Kerr label released Take the Guitar Player for a Ride ,Allmusic|class=album|id=r220753|pure_url=yes a 15 track compilation drawn from these tapes. This compilation had no sales and has since gone out of print. Fans continue to circulate bootleg recordings and a Cleveland-based label, http://www.handsomeproductions.com Handsome Productions, offers a comprehensive collection of his music on CD, officially endorsed by his estate.
As of 2007, the Smog Veil Records|Smog Veil record label is reported to be releasing a Laughner box set (with tapes procured from Handsome Productions, David Thomas, Tim Wright, and others) which may materialize in 2011.
In addition to solo recordings, Laughner's live guitar and vocal work is available in the Rocket from the Tombs bootleg The Day the Earth Met the Rocket from the Tombs. http://ubuprojex.net/hearpen/rfttday.html
References
Reflist Persondata | NAME = Laughner, Peter | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = | DATE OF BIRTH = August 22, 1952 | PLACE OF BIRTH = Bay Village, OH | DATE OF DEATH = June 22, 1977 | PLACE OF DEATH = DEFAULTSORT:Laughner, Peter Category:1952 births Category:1977 deaths Category:People from Cleveland, Ohio Category:Deaths from pancreatitis Category:American rock guitarists Category:American male singers Category:Songwriters from Ohio Category:Protopunk musicians Category:Pere Ubu members
