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!.