Paul Peterson | |
---|---|
Birth name | Paul Joseph Peterson |
Also known as | St. Paul Peterson |
Born |
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States |
October 18, 1964
Genres | Rock, pop, R&B, soul, funk, funk rock, funk metal, new wave, dance |
Occupation(s) | Singer, multi-instrumentalist |
Instruments | Multi-instrumentalist |
Years active | 1983–present |
Labels |
Paisley Park/Warner Bros. Records Atlantic Records Ropeadope/Sony RED |
Associated acts |
The Time The Family Prince The Steve Miller Band Kenny Loggins Oleta Adams fDeluxe |
Website | Official website |
Paul Joseph Peterson (born October 18, 1964), also known as St. Paul Peterson, is a singer and musician best known for his memberships in the bands The Family and The Time.
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Peterson was the youngest son in a musical family. He was discovered by Prince in 1983 and groomed to replace Monte Moir as keyboardist of R&B band The Time. Peterson gained exposure when the band appeared in the hit movie Purple Rain.
When The Time broke up in 1984, Prince gathered the remnants to form The Family, with Peterson as lead singer. The group's tenure was brief, performing live only once (at First Avenue, where Purple Rain was filmed). Peterson left to pursue a solo career, releasing his eponymous debut album in 1987. Peterson released two singles, "Intimacy" and "Rich Man" from the album, as well as a video for the latter one. Prince wrote a song about Peterson's early jump from The Family ship called "Dream Factory", which was later released on 1998's Crystal Ball compilation. Peterson released two solo albums in the 1990s on Atlantic Records and a live recording with the group the Minneapolis All-Stars.
Peterson also toured as a member of the Steve Miller Band in the late 1980s and early 90s.
Peterson is also a session musician and has backed up many acts in concert. He has toured with Kenny Loggins, and Oleta Adams. From 1998–2000 he was the bassist in the house band on the Donny & Marie TV program. His last solo album, Everything, was released in 2004. Peterson is married and has two children, and resides in the Minneapolis area.