1. Peter Nero directed the Philly Pops from 1979 to 2013, and earned two Grammy Awards, including the award for Best New Artist in 1962, as well as a total of 8 nominations.
18 Facts About Peter Nero
1. 2.
Peter Nero took private lessons from Abram Chasins and Constance Keene.
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Peter Nero made his television debut at the age of 17, playing "Rhapsody in Blue" on a special hosted by Paul Whiteman.
4.
Peter Nero recorded his first album under the name of Bernie Nerow in July 1957 on the Mode label, which shows his technical virtuosity in the jazz genre.
5.
Peter Nero recorded Piano Forte in 1961, and won a Grammy Award in 1961 for Best New Artist.
6.
Peter Nero's subsequent move to Columbia Records resulted in the million-selling single and album Summer of '42.
7.
Peter Nero subsequently appeared on many top variety and talk shows, including 11 guest appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and numerous appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
8.
Peter Nero served as music director and pianist for the PBS-TV special The Songs of Johnny Mercer: Too Marvelous for Words with co-stars Johnny Mathis, Melissa Manchester and many members of The POPS.
9.
In 1963, Peter Nero composed and performed the musical score for the motion picture Sunday in New York.
10.
Peter Nero made an appearance in the film which co-starred Jane Fonda, Rod Taylor, Robert Culp, and Cliff Robertson.
11.
Peter Nero worked with notable musicians, including Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Arthur Fiedler, Andy Williams, Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, Diane Schuur, Johnny Mathis, Roger Kellaway and Elton John.
12.
From 1990 to 1999, Peter Nero was Pops Music Director of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, conducting and performing with his jazz trio throughout Southeastern Florida.
13.
Peter Nero's recordings included albums with symphony orchestras: On My Own, Classical Connections and My Way.
14.
Peter Nero recorded Peter Nero and Friends, on which collaborated with Mel Torme, Maureen McGovern, Doc Severinsen and others.
15.
Peter Nero appeared on Rod Stewart's album As Time Goes By: The Great American Songbook, Volume II.
16.
Peter Nero died of natural causes at an assisted living facility in Eustis, Florida, on July 6,2023, at the age of 89.
17.
Peter Nero was included on historic Walks of Fame in Philadelphia and Miami, Florida.
18.
In 2009, Peter Nero was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Federation of Musicians.