Peter Beckett (born 10 August 1948) is an English musician and songwriter who has written songs for many prominent recording artists, his own bands and solo work, and for several films. He is likely best known as the lead singer and guitarist for 1970s soft rock group Player, which scored a U.S. #1 hit in 1977 with "Baby Come Back". Beckett was born in the Aigburth district of Liverpool, England. He was greatly influenced by seeing the Beatles perform at the famous Cavern Club. At 16, he recorded his first record, "All Night Stand", with a band called The Thoughts. "All Night Stand" was written by Ray Davies from The Kinks. He then joined a band called Winston G and The Wicked, later renamed Whip. After they disbanded, Beckett auditioned for Badfinger on the heels of "Come and Get It", and was on Peter Ham's and Tommy Evans' short list, but they ultimately offered the job to Joey Molland instead. Beckett then joined a progressive rock band called Paladin, recording two albums called Paladin and Paladin Charge!.