17 Facts About Peter Appleyard

Peter Appleyard spent most of his life in the city of Toronto, where for many years he was a popular performer in nightclubs and hotels such as The Park Plaza, Stop 33, The 54th, The Chelsea Inn, and The Montreal Bistro.

Peter Appleyard played and recorded with many of the city's orchestras and was featured on Canadian television and radio programs.

Peter Appleyard had his own very successful television show on CHCH Channel 11 that was recorded live from Albert's Hall, 'Peter Appleyard Presents' that featured all the jazz greats from Blossom Dearie to Lionel Hampton.

Peter Appleyard began his career in the early 1940s playing in the Boys Brigade, a youth organization.

Peter Appleyard performed as a drummer in several other British dance bands during the 1940s and, while a member of the Royal Air Force in the mid-1940s, played in RAF bands.

In 1949 Peter Appleyard moved to Bermuda, where he lived for several years performing as the resident band leader at the historic Princess Hotel, The Elbow Beach and Belmont Hotel.

Peter Appleyard was so impressed with Canada that when the time came to leave Bermuda, he headed for New York and finally Toronto.

At first, unable to get a union card in Toronto, Peter Appleyard worked as an elevator doorman at the King Edward Hotel and as a salesman at Simpson's department store.

Peter Appleyard began studying music with Gordon Delamont and soon thereafter began playing the vibraphone in concerts with Billy O'Connor in the early 1950s.

Peter Appleyard formed his own jazz ensemble in 1957 which performed not only in Toronto but toured throughout North America and appeared on American television during the 1960s.

From 1961 to 1962 Appleyard co-hosted, with singer Patti Lewis, the CBC Radio program Patti and Peter.

Peter Appleyard spent most of the mid-1960s on the road touring.

Peter Appleyard began playing once more at the Park Plaza Hotel.

In 1976, Frank Sinatra invited Peter Appleyard to join him in concert with the Count Basie Orchestra and Ella Fitzgerald at the Uris Theatre in New York City.

In 1982 Peter Appleyard formed the All-Star Swing Band which performed traditional pop and jazz tunes, often in medley arrangements by Rick Wilkins.

Peter Appleyard received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award on 18 June 2012.

Peter Appleyard spent his final years living on a farm at Rockwood, Ontario.