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Gordon Waller was one-half of Brit public-school pop duo Peter & Gordon, who had a US #1 with 1964's "World Without Love." (The other half, Peter Asher, went to produce multi-million sellers by James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt.) RBP remembers heartthrob Waller with this 1965 interview by NME's Keith Altham.--Barney Hoskyns, Editorial Director, Rock's Backpages

Before their trip to Japan and the Far East I lunched with Peter Asher and his sparring partner Gordon Waller, and a more unlikely combination would be difficult to imagine.

Peter is the quiet, serious, earnest intellectual. One of nature's "gentlemen." His efforts to be poplike are worthy but hopelessly inept.

His locks refuse to conform to their Beatlish proportions and tufts of ginger hair protrude rebelliously from the traditional fringe.

An attempt to join the "casual, non-tie wearing, rebel school" was completely ruined by a tastefully placed cravat and his image remains that of a good-natured bespectacled student of philosophy--which is exactly what he is.

"I do hope people are not going to begin complaining that we are only in the charts now because of Buddy Holly," he said, mildly.

There was a brief pause in our meal as the lagers arrived. Peter pulled a face and indicated that he had "the limey one" and after a reshuffle we resumed.

In spite of his public school education, Gordon revels in his POPularity. He wears his long mane as if he had been born a cavalier and his blue denims are as much a part of him as the collection of rings and medallions hung around his throat in the open neck of his shirt.

He is a likeable rebel. His brash, light-hearted manner is a direct contrast to his friend.

"I'd hate to go back to what I was doing before," he said.

What was that?" I asked.

"Nothing," he retorted nonchalantly, and peered insolently out of the window at the passing traffic.

"Look," he cried, "there goes someone just like you, Peter," and he indicated with his hand a young lady with a mop of ginger hair who was cycling past.

Peter smiled good-naturedly and said nothing.

The conversation revolved around the record for awhile.

Both boys were surprised that their two previous discs had not been hits, although they had enjoyed considerable success with them abroad.

"One interesting thing is that Buddy Holly's recording manager, Norman Petty was in town when the demos came up of 'True Love Ways'," said Gordon. "We were able to get his views on our version. He liked it."

I mentioned to Peter that during the course of a conversation with Marianne Faithfull I had discovered that he knew her fiancé John Dunbar quite well. It transpired that Gordon knew him even better.

"We were at St. John's Pinner School together," he explained. "I know his family very well. I fancy his mother. You can print that--she'll love it.

"John was a revolutionary. Always involved in fights like me. He was recently talking to Paul McCartney at his place and he mentioned that he couldn't afford a new suit. Paul opened a wardrobe and gave him one of the four suits he had just had made for the film.

"I've been trying to get one for ages," Peter added.

The boys are now away touring in Japan and America at a time critical to the plugging of their new disc but they are not unduly worried.

"We've telerecorded all the major TV shows," said Peter. "I don't think personal appearances will make that much difference to record sales."

The subject of record sales brought up the question of pirate stations and their effect upon sales.

"It must bring them down," said Peter. "I only hope that what happened because of local radio stations in America will happen here. Over there you find that singles sales have diminished but albums are on the increase."

"While I've been motoring around the country I keep hearing some mad Yorkshireman who insists on playing drum discs," said Gordon. "I think he must be a ham radio operator."

Peter's intellect broke the surface.

"I'm afraid that's not possible," he said. "You see, amateur radio transmitters only broadcast on VHF and a car radio cannot pick that up."

"I'm telling you I heard it," growled Gordon.

"I'm telling you it's not possible," returned Peter politely.

Barred

Gordon stared insolently out of the window. He attempted to redeem some lost pride by announcing, "I understand that Radio London will not permit anyone on board their boat. I wanted to go out but they said no one was allowed on board."

Peter was not to be denied and quite unaware that he was aggravating the situation, returned, "That sounds highly unlikely."

I turned the conversation to Ready, Steady Goes Live.

"What do you think about the show? "I asked.

"Mick Jagger was terrible on it the other week," said Gordon. "Unless you have a big rocking sound it's impossible. We understand that Marianne and the Beatles have already refused to do it and the show is not keen on having you unless you have a big sound."

After a pause, Peter mentioned their new music company. "It's called P&G Music Ltd. On May 14 we are releasing a number by Eddie King. He is the lead guitarist in our backing group. We A-&-R'd the session and wrote the number. It's hoped that EMI will release it."

By the end of the meal everyone was amicable and Gordon made a light-hearted remark about the large garnet and gold signet ring Peter was wearing.

Peter laughed.

"A special girl?" I asked.

"No comment and don't quote me," was the reply.

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