Passages: Gordon Waller of pop pair Peter and Gordon

Published 1:58 pm Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Gordon Waller of the pop duo Peter and Gordon, who were part of the 1960s British Invasion and had a string of hits including several written by their friend Paul McCartney, has died. He was 64.

The duo’s Web site says Waller, who lived in Ledyard, Conn., went into cardiac arrest Thursday night, and the state medical examiner’s office lists his cause of death as cardiovascular disease. Waller died Friday at a hospital.

Waller and Peter Asher hit No. 1 on music charts around the world in 1964 with their debut single “A World Without Love.” McCartney, who at the time was dating Asher’s sister, actress Jane Asher, wrote the song.

The duo also hit the charts with other songs written by McCartney, including “Nobody I Know” and “I Don’t Want to See You Again.” Although McCartney wrote the songs, they were jointly credited to him and John Lennon, as was all their work at the time.

Peter and Gordon’s other hits included their versions of Del Shannon’s “I Go to Pieces” and the Buddy Holly song “True Love Ways,” both in 1965; “Lady Godiva,” 1966; and “Knight in Rusty Armour” reached the top 20 in 1967.

“Woman,” another McCartney song not to be confused with Lennon’s later song of the same name — also reached the top 20 in 1966.

Peter Asher’s Web site says Peter and Gordon had nine Top 20 records from 1964 until they split in 1968.

Peter and Gordon, who both played acoustic guitar during their shows, reunited in 2005 for occasional performances. They had several dates this year, including two shows in Kentucky Aug. 27 and 28 and one at the Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut on Nov. 29.

Associated Press