Italian-born John St Peeters began his professional performing career during his early teens as Johnny Lo Piccolo, playing the piano accordion on television talent quests and in clubs.
In 1974, he formed John St Peeters and The Sharells with two female vocalists. The singing trio toured Australia, Canada, the USA and South-East Asia, then issued a single, Take Me If You Want Me (October 1975), on the Astor label.
In 1976, St Peeters launched his solo career with the disco-pop single You Know That You’re Sexy (November 1976), which made the Australian charts at #28. St Peeters then signed to EMI and issued the singles Shiny Side Up (June 1977), Fadin’ Away (October 1977) and Love The Way You Move (December 1977).
At the end of 1977, St Peeters was voted ‘Most Popular New Talent’ at the TV Week King Of Pop Awards.
In 1978, he signed to RCA, where his self-penned single Deep Inside Of Me became his biggest hit when it reached #10 on the Australian national chart during September.
By that stage, St Peeters had established himself as Australia’s version of David Essex, with his good looks and sophisticated pop releases. High Class Woman peaked at #37 during December.
In 1979, St Peeters formed The John St Peeters Band in order to tour the club circuit. His debut album, So Many Ways, and its single of the same name appeared in May 1979. The single was another hit, reaching #13 on the national chart.
His subsequent singles and his second album, One Night Stand, sold well without reaching the national Top 40.
Post-1979 his singles included You Were The One (1979), Wonderworld (the theme song to the children’s television show Simon Townsend’s WonderWorld) (March 1980), Love Is All You Need (July 1980), Dangerous Hearts (April 1981), Street Kids (September 1983), I Need That Someone To Love (a duet with Jane Scali in 1985), and Don’t Make Love To Strangers (July 1986). St Peeters also recorded an album with Jane Scali called Lovesongs.
After the mid-1980s, St Peeters concentrated on club appearances and corporate events.
