Crispian St. Peters (born Robin Peter Smith; 1939–2010) was an English pop singer who achieved fame in the mid-1960s. After performing in various local bands, he signed with Decca Records in 1965. He is best remembered for two major transnational hits released in 1966: "You Were on My Mind" (UK No. 2) and his signature song, "The Pied Piper" (Top 10 in the UK and US). Despite his initial success, St. Peters' career was severely damaged by his own public statements. In a notorious interview with New Musical Express, he boasted that he was a better songwriter than The Beatles and a more exciting performer than Elvis Presley. These claims alienated the music press and the public, leading to a rapid decline in popularity. By 1970, after a series of commercial failures, he was dropped by Decca and suffered a nervous breakdown. St. Peters eventually returned to music in 1970, signing with Square Records and shifting his focus toward country and western music. He released several albums and cassettes throughout the ensuing decades and remained active on the 1960s nostalgia touring circuit until his health declined.
About Crispian St. Peters
Crispian St. Peters (born Robin Peter Smith; 1939–2010) was an English pop singer who achieved fame in the mid-1960s. After performing in various local bands, he signed with Decca Records in 1965. He is best remembered for two major transnational hits released in 1966: "You Were on My Mind" (UK No. 2) and his signature song, "The Pied Piper" (Top 10 in the UK and US). Despite his initial success, St. Peters' career was severely damaged by his own public statements. In a notorious interview with New Musical Express, he boasted that he was a better songwriter than The Beatles and a more exciting performer than Elvis Presley. These claims alienated the music press and the public, leading to a rapid decline in popularity. By 1970, after a series of commercial failures, he was dropped by Decca and suffered a nervous breakdown. St. Peters eventually returned to music in 1970, signing with Square Records and shifting his focus toward country and western music. He released several albums and cassettes throughout the ensuing decades and remained active on the 1960s nostalgia touring circuit until his health declined.