A Life in
Music.
Don Peake’s work moves between the recording studio, the touring stage, and the scoring room. This is a selection of the records, sessions, and screen projects along the way.
Music for the Screen.
In film and television, music has to support the scene and work with the people making it. Don’s approach is practical: find the right texture, give the story room, and make every sound count. His screen work ranges from the electronic drive of 1980s television to the quieter tension of independent and genre films.
Selected Screen Credits
Film & TelevisionKnight Rider
1982–1986Composer · 77 episodes
A television score built from orchestral writing and analog synthesis.
The Hills Have Eyes
1977Composer
Wes Craven’s original film, and an early chapter in Don’s screen-scoring work.
The People Under the Stairs
1991Composer
A second collaboration with Wes Craven that opened at number one in the United States.
Violet / In the Region of Ice
Academy Award winnersComposer
Music for two Academy Award–winning live-action short films.
Walk Proud
1979Composer
A feature-film score from Don’s move into composition and orchestration.
Listening for the Pocket.
In the recording studios of the 1960s and 70s, session players were expected to listen quickly, adapt, and deliver a strong take. Don’s work moved from the layered productions of Phil Spector to the precise, rhythmic sound of Motown.
The job was collaborative: understand the producer’s direction, find the right part, and help the track come together.
Jackson 5 — 'I Want You Back'
Ray Charles — 'Modern Sounds' Era
Marvin Gaye — Selected Sessions
Phil Spector — Wall of Sound
There were always three guys playing miked Gibson L-5s.
— Don Peake, quoted in Premier GuitarCareer Discography
A concise guide to selected arranging, production, and session work from the Motown years onward.
Gold & Platinum Arrangements
Jermaine Jackson — Let's Get Serious
Gloria Gaynor — Love Tracks
The Monkees — The Monkees
Minnie Riperton — Stay in Love
Barry White — Three Gold LPs
Bobby Darin — If I Were a Carpenter
Tavares — Don't Take Away the Music
“On 'I Want You Back,' I doubled the bass line with Wilton. I had to read it.”
— Don Peake, quoted in Premier Guitar
Selected Session Contributions
Jackson 5 — 'ABC,' 'The Love You Save'
Session Guitarist
The Supremes — Studio Sessions
Session Guitarist
Stevie Wonder — Selected Recordings
Session Guitarist
The Righteous Brothers — Selected Sessions
Session Guitarist
Sonny & Cher — Studio Sessions
Session Guitarist
Nancy Sinatra — 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin'
Session Guitarist
The Ronettes — Wall of Sound
Session Guitarist
On 'I Want You Back,' I doubled the bass line with Wilton. I had to read it.
— Don Peake, quoted in Premier Guitar