The death of songwriter Peter Callander on the 25th February almost went below the media radar, and would have done so for the Record Press author, but for the fact that as an 11 year old in 1974, recently introduced to music, I studied vinyl single record labels to thesis level, like some young boys train spot!!

So my introduction to Peter Callander was his song-writing credit with co-writer Mitch Murray on Paper Lace’s 1974 No1“Billy – Don’t Be A Hero”, which struck a major chord with me as a great bit of story-telling, but just as importantly because Paper Lace were from my home city of Nottingham.

Peter Callander teamed up with fellow songwriter, Mitch Murray, who had already written for Gerry and the Pacemakers and Freddie and the Dreamers, in the mid-1960s. In 1967 they wrote their first song “Tell The Boys” for Sandie Shaw to perform in the UK Eurovision Song Contest heats. It came second to “Puppet On A String” ( the eventual entry and Eurovision Song Contest winner ) and became the B side of the single “Puppet On A String”, which formed part of my parents’ record collection. Again the “Murray-Callander” song-writing credit on the pink Pye Records label that Sandie Shaw recorded on, didn’t escape the forensic scrutiny of the 11 year old Simon Sterland. I was quickly learning that “Murray-Callander” were quite some song-writing double act!!

Arguably the best song they wrote, inspired by the film, was “The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde”, which Georgie Fame took to No1 in 1968. Writing about villainous American outlaw cult figures operating  was something they returned to in 1974 for Paper Lace’s second hit “The Night Chicago Died”, about gangster Al Capone.

Mitch Murray and Peter Callander enjoyed writing story-songs, having a hit in 1968 with “Hush, Not A Word To Mary” for John Rowles. They also wrote and produced several classic story-songs for Tony Christie including “I Did What I Did For Maria” (1971) and one of my all time favourites “Avenues And Alleyways” (1973) as well as producing Tony Christie’s version of Neil Sedaka’s “Is This The Way To Amarillo” (1971).

In addition Mitch Murray and Peter Callander wrote “Hitchin’ A Ride” (1969) for Vanity Fayre, “Ragamuffin Man” (1969) for Manfred Mann and “Goodbye Sam, Hello Samantha” (1970) for Cliff Richard.

Mitch Murray and Peter Callander formed the Bus Stop label to record, release and publish their songs. After a slow start for the record label, the proverbial three buses came along at once with three hits in 1974 for talent show Opportunity Knocks winners Paper Lace – “Billy – Don’t Be A Hero” ( which was also a No1 in the US for Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods ), “The Night Chicago Died” ( a No1 on both sides of the Atlantic despite the Chicago Mayor Daley dumping copies of the single in the bay!! ) and “The Black Eyed Boys”.

After punk made its mark in the UK in 1977, Mitch Murray decided it was time to move in a different direction, while Peter Callander remained a songwriter, but never to achieve the same heights again. However their legacy lives on in their songs. So let’s celebrate the song-writing of Mitch Murray and Peter Callander with this Record Press Top 5 Best Mitch Murray and Peter Callander Songs –

Top 5 Best Mitch Murray and Peter Callander Songs

1) Tony Christie – Avenues & Alleyways (UK No37 1973 )

2) Paper Lace – Billy – Don’t Be A Hero ( UK No1 1974 )

3) Tony Christie – I Did What I Did For Maria ( UK No2 1971 )

4) Paper Lace – The Night Chicago Died ( UK No3 1974 )

5) Georgie Fame – The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde ( UK No1 1968 )

Framed vinyl records, framed CDs and framed DVDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!