Pete St. John is a Dubliner. Educated at Scoil Muire Gan Smal, Inchicore and Synge Street C.B.S. He served his time as an electrician and then emigrated to Canada. Moving on to Alaska, Central America and the West Indies he worked as a professional athlete, truck driver, logging camp labourer, Pr/Sales Official and finally electrical contracting executive in the U.S.A. He became deeply involved in the Peace Movement and International Civil Rights before returning to his native city of Dublin in the late 70’s.
Finding the face of his city greatly changed he began writing songs in a very distinctive and unique style depicting the social conditions around him. Unemployment became the core element of his work and the city soon recognised his talent with the major folk artists recording his songs with great succsss.
Pete's biggest hits: The Fields of Athenry, The Rare Ould Times and The Ferryman were chart toppers worldwide and have become synonymous with his beloved Dublin.
The critical and commercial success has continued with Pete’s songs becoming a quintessential part of the repertoires of most of Ireland’s leading singers and musicians. Pete has been acknowledged by his peers both at home and abroad with awards of merit from:
The Irish Republic Music Writers
The Irish Association of Songwriters and Composers
The U.S. Irish Cultural Society
The U.S. Brendan Cup Committee
Irish Music Rights Organisation Songwriter of the Year
Beaumont Foundation Cultural Award 2000
Goal/Rwanda Award
The Peace Train ’89 Award
Omagh Awareness Award
Stenaline UK Songwriter of the Decade
Countless weeks in the Irish International Record Charts has established
Pete St. John as Songwriter of the Year and thankfully he continues to write prolifically.
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