Peter Combe

For a generation Peter Combe has captured the imagination of both young and old Australians with his funny, inspirational and interactive songwriting for children. As well as shows for kids, he also performs for the young adults who grew up on his music, at ‘Renaissance’ shows in pubs or universities and sometimes with audiences of 2000 or more (shades of Rolf Harris’s revival in the 1990’s in the UK) These shows feature all his ‘hits’ including Wash Your Face in Orange Juice (Mr Clicketty Cane), Newspaper Mama, Toffee Apple, Spaghetti Bolognaise, Chopsticks, Juicy Juicy Green Grass and Little Groover ‘ by the end of the show most of the 18-27 year olds are up on the floor dancing or even crowd surfing!

Peter’s career began with a six year stint presenting the children’s programme Music Time for BBC TV in London in 1977, but things really took off when the hugely successful Toffee Apple album and video clip were released in 1987. Toffee Apple was the first ever full-length video clip made for kids, pioneering a new style of adult friendly children’s music and establishing Peter as Australia’s first kid’s ‘Star Singer/Songwriter’!

Renowned for his Monty Pythonish sense of humour, Peter manages to extend, surprise and inspire with every performance. And a million CD and DVD sales later, Peter’s passion for performing, writing and recording quality new music for children remains as strong as ever.

Peter pioneered the idea of adult friendly kids music ‘ music you could play in the car on long trips and not go completely insane after hearing the same CD 50 times!

Besides his thousands of solo performances Peter has had extensive experience with ensembles and orchestras, including the Australian Youth Orchestra, the Queensland, Adelaide and Western Australian Symphony Orchestras, choirs, rock bands and dancers.

With 3 ARIAS (the Australian equivalent of a Grammy) for Best Children’s Album, plus 7 gold and 3 platinum CDs, Peter Combe has become an icon of Australian children’s music.