The Legacy
Peter Taylor was a singer, songwriter, actor and comedian — a performer with a distinct, soulful voice who built two extraordinary careers on two continents. Born in Blackburn, Lancashire, he spent thirty years as one of South Africa's most beloved entertainers.
"A supremely talented entertainer — musician, singer, actor, comedian — who appeared in many of the biggest hits in South Africa for more than 30 years."
He died in hospital in 2014. As he passed, his song So You Win Again was playing.
The Story
England, 1960s — The Northern Circuit
Peter started out in a band called Weather, playing the Northern circuit in the 1960s. He moved in the same world as Shane Fenton (later Alvin Stardust) and became a trusted sideman and touring musician for Marty Wilde — travelling with him across Europe, the Middle East and the Far East from 1966 to 1972.
Almost Deep Purple
When Ian Gillan left Deep Purple, Peter Taylor was offered the job. Dave Coverdale got it instead. That is not a footnote in this story — it is the measure of how good he was.
South Africa, 1974 — A New Life
In 1974, Peter arrived in South Africa with the band Copperfield. They came for a six-month hotel residency in Durban. Peter stayed for the rest of his life. He loved the country.
Copperfield
South Africa · EMI Records · 1974–1980s
Peter was the lead voice of Copperfield — a British rock band that made South Africa their home. They charted twice on the South African singles chart, with So You Win Again spending 18 weeks at #2 in 1978.
Rock 'n' Roll Singer
Peak: #19 · August 1975
So You Win Again
Peak: #2 · 18 weeks · June 1978
First Album — Tracks
The Stage
Peter's South African career extended far beyond music. He became a celebrated theatre performer, working alongside director Barbara-Anne Puren. His shows included Feelin' Groovy (where he played Wolfman Jack), Men are from Bars and Women are Teasers (which ran for five years), The Piano Man, and The Rocky Horror Show.
He also performed with the Johannesburg Pops and the National Orchestra, presented by Highveld Radio and conducted by Richard Cock — alongside Zayn Adam, Judy Page, and Vicky Samson.
📂 The Archive
Digitizing Peter's life's work — audio, video, photos, scores, rehearsal tapes.
This archive exists because of Allen — Peter's best mate — who ripped his recordings onto CDs, wrote out every tracklist by hand, and sent them to Christian with a note that said: "Peter Taylor's life's work."
In The Studio
Highveld Stereo's Johannesburg Pops — recording session
Peter Taylor (top right, headphones) in the recording studio with soloists Zayn Adam, Judy Page and Vicky Samson. Conductor Richard Cock. Produced by Johnny Blundell and Fanie Van Staden. Recording engineer Evert de Munnik.
Inner sleeve — signed "To Big Al, love Peter" in Peter's own handwriting. A gift from Peter to his best mate Allen.
Doc's Stories
By Christian P Taylor — the kid who flew
Christian flew to South Africa at 12 to visit his dad. He went backstage, on tour, met the bands, and got the real world his dad had built. These are his stories — told in his voice, as they happened. Coming soon.
"Here is my request. You don't have to play it but I hope you do your best. I've been listening to your show on the radio. And you seem like a friend to me."