Don Peake
Guitarist, Arranger. Composer.
From Ray Charles and the Wrecking Crew to Motown records and film scores.
In the
Studio.
Don started out as a guitarist, touring with the Everly Brothers and Ray Charles before settling into the Los Angeles studio scene.
He played on Motown records, worked with the Wrecking Crew, and later moved into arranging and film and television scoring.
Scores &
Sessions.
Redefining action television through a pioneering blend of analog synthesis and orchestral tension. For 77 episodes, Don's score provided the high-tech heartbeat for one of NBC's most iconic series.
The score for Knight Rider wasn't just background music; it was a character in itself. Using a massive array of synthesizers, Don created a sonic identity that was as sleek and futuristic as KITT.
The original score for Wes Craven's landmark horror film, recognized for its innovative use of atmospheric dread and suspense.
Navigating the desolate landscapes of horror, Don utilized strings and unconventional percussion to create an atmosphere of raw, unyielding tension that helped define the genre's sound. In 1977, Wes Craven hired me to score a very dark horror film entitled 'The Hills Have Eyes'. I was immediately struck with the brutality of the characters, and I decided to create a sparse and disturbing score, utilizing both acoustic instruments and a few experimental electronic instruments.
A collaborative return to Wes Craven's cinematic world, blending industrial textures with traditional tonal scoring.
By the early 90s, the horror landscape had shifted. Don's score for this social horror classic reflects a more complex, layered approach, using unsettling textures to mirror the film's claustrophobic themes.
Selected Recordings.
Hear a selection of scores, session work, and live performances from across Don’s career.
In His Own
Words.
Don talks about the records, guitars, collaborators, and scoring sessions behind the work.
“Elvis would come in three nights a week. We'd sit with him in the balcony on the break.”
— Don Peake, quoted in Premier Guitar
Current News
Recent / Archive
The Collection
Selected releases, original scores, and session recordings gathered for listeners and collectors.
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