Peter Case
Peter Case (born April 5, 1954) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist noted for pioneering transitions from punk and power pop to acoustic folk rock and Americana.[1][2]
Born in Buffalo, New York, Case began performing as a street musician in San Francisco during the early 1970s, honing his skills in blues and rock 'n' roll alongside figures like Mike Wilhelm.[2]
He co-founded the influential punk trio The Nerves in 1976, which toured with acts such as the Ramones and released a seminal EP that helped define the era's DIY ethos.[3][1]
Following The Nerves' dissolution, Case formed the power pop band The Plimsouls in 1978, achieving recognition with their song "A Million Miles Away," featured on the soundtrack of the 1983 film Valley Girl.[4][1]
In 1986, Case launched his solo career with a self-titled debut album on Geffen Records, produced by T-Bone Burnett and Mitchell Froom, marking a shift toward introspective songwriting and acoustic instrumentation.[1][5]
His production of the 2001 tribute album Avalon Blues: A Tribute to the Music of Mississippi John Hurt earned a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Folk Album, underscoring his contributions to roots music revival.[6][7]
Case's work has been credited with bridging rock and folk traditions, influencing the Americana genre through raw, narrative-driven compositions and persistent live performances.[8][1]