Peter Allen's Partner Gregory Connell

There is not much information or photos of Peter Allen's longtime partner Gregory Connell online so I wanted to share some to those who wish to learn more about him and the work he did for Peter behind the scenes. So, let's learn more about the man who was an "anchor" ⚓ to Peter's "kite" 🎏...
Gregory Yewell Connell was born in Edinburg, Texas, on 16 Sept 1949, to Thomas Connell, an aircraft mechanic and pilot, and his wife, Mary Jane (née Seaberry) who enjoyed singing and playing the piano. He had a sister, Mae Lynn; a stepbrother, Tom; and a stepsister, Gwynne.
Greg was raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and attended Eastern Hills High School. At school, he was a cheerleader and in drama club where he performed in the plays "Cheaper by the Dozen" and "Our Town". He also served as an apprentice at Casa Mañana Theatre in Fort Worth and studied dramatics and singing.
Shortly after graduating from high school in 1968, Greg moved to New York City where he worked for a modeling agency as a fashion and print model. He continued acting on stage at community and dinner theatres and did commercials, such as for Coca-Cola. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, he appeared in such plays as "My Three Angels", "Rainmaker", "Lovers and Other Strangers", and "Forty Carats". Moreover, he sang in the group "Voice Six" at New York's Theatre for the New City and at the W.P.A. Theatre.
Greg met Peter Allen when he and a mutual friend attended Peter's show at New York's Continental Baths in 1973. It was love at first sight for the both of them. Greg thought Peter was working too hard for the money he was getting and so helped him get his first band together. In turn, Peter found him gorgeous, sweet, and good-hearted. According to Allen's biographer Stephen MacLean, Greg was "Peter's big love."💕
After they got together, Greg left a successful modeling career to support Peter's music career. He made helping Peter with his act his own career. In a 1981 article for "The Sydney Morning Herald", Greg stated, "I haven't given up my career. I've made this my career. It's my act as well." He became Peter's lighting and staging director and tour manager. He did sound work, loaded and unloaded equipment, drove the band around, and at times, dressed Allen. He even sang backup on Peter's 1976 hit song, "I Go to Rio". Peter further explained, "He does my lighting and staging, he's there driving trucks, carrying bags and directing the show" and remarked that "Gregory does everything but get up here and sing!" This arrangement enabled them to be together while Allen performed around the world. One of his main joys in working with Peter was the travelling. This worked out well since they were typically on the road ten months a year while the remaining two months were for rest and for making records.
When Greg started to get sick in late 1982, he denied to himself that he had AIDS (HIV testing didn't become available until 1985). Instead, he believed he had some other ailment and simply pressed on and hoped for the best while continuing to work and tour with Peter until he was unable to. He couldn't face the fact that he was dying of AIDS until a month or so before he died. A few days before his death when he was down to 38.5 kg./85 lbs., he insisted on having photos taken of himself on his deathbed to be shared with legislators and the public in order to shock them out of complacency in the fight against AIDS. On 11 Sept 1984, Greg died at home in Leucadia, California, from AIDS-related pneumonia. His ashes were scattered at sea in Southern California.
After Greg's death, his mother Mary Jane co-founded the Los Angeles chapter of Mothers of AIDS Patients, a self-help support group that assisted mothers going through the pain and loss of their children to AIDS and to erase the social stigma of the disease. She spoke at a U.S. Senate Hearing on securing more federal funds for AIDS research and education, appeared on TV programs and in the 1987 AIDS documentary Too Little, Too Late and participated at AIDS events. She described Greg as being very bright, alert, affectionate, loved cats, and never stopped laughing until the end.🐈
Peter Allen dedicated his 1985 live album, Captured Live at Carnegie Hall to Greg, sang songs in his memory at AIDS benefit concerts, raised money and awareness at numerous AIDS benefits, and co-wrote the song "Love Don't Need a Reason", which became an anthem for the AIDS movement. Sadly, Peter passed away from AIDS-related cancer on 18 June 1992.
I chose the song, “Once Before I Go” for this video because it was the song Peter related most to Greg and thought of him whenever he sang it; Greg behind the lights at all his shows. Hence, the lyrics, "You are the light that shines on me/You always were and you'll always be." Allen told the song's co-writer Dean Pitchford that after Greg died, he would always look into the spotlight and imagine he was behind the light.🌟
See more about Greg at: • MORE on Peter Allen's ...

[@susanncarlson6708]

Greg was a good guy, sweet, fun, and a delightful friend. I am so glad he found love and fulfillment with Peter. I am sure he loved every minute! ♥️

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

Thank you for such a sweet comment! It's so nice to hear from someone who knew him:)

[@queenslander954]

Nice to know Peter had found someone.

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

Indeed!😊

[@cq9882]

So beautiful. Both gone too soon. 😢🙏🇦🇺

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

💗

[@bruceallensullivan6532]

I'v had a lump in my throat from the first note he sang ...I always wondered who that song was about ...what a beautiful job you did for us fans of peters ....really thank you

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

And thank you for your wonderful comment!😀

[@MrPerryGrant]

Beautiful and very emotional to watch. Its still very hard to accept that they have both gone.

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

I know what you mean.

[@greenbeans575]

Thank you for all of the information, photos and for honoring a great soul!

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

Thanks so much for your nice comment!😊

[@greenbeans575]

@@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen 👍

[@anthony7835]

Lovely...😎♥️

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

Thanks! 🤗

[@laurieschulte3025]

I wish I could hit a "love" button for this. Nice to finally have a face for the man. This is beautifully done.

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

Wow, thank you! I know what you mean. They never casted him right in the TV movie or in the musical.

[@laurieschulte3025]

@@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen ❤❤

[@Tecobelli]

How sweet and kind of you to honor thus man.

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

Thanks! I just felt that it needed to be done.

[@soozinn]

Thank you for this video. As you wrote, there has not been much info about Gregory. He was a kind, smart, and overall amazing person. I fist met him during the preproduction of Peter's Radio City Music Hall Concert in 1981. I still miss him--and Peter.

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

Thanks for your wonderful comment! It's so nice to hear from those who met him!!

[@eliothorowitz5627]

Peter deserved a great love and glad he found it in Gregory.

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

😊

[@eliothorowitz5627]

@@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen Handsome man too.

[@reubenlaurente6619]

thank you for sharing this story and for allowing us to know these beautiful very talented artists.

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

Glad you enjoyed it!😀

[@littlemikeism]

Beautiful. So sweet.

[@TheMusicMagicofPeterAllen]

You are so kind! There's a second video too!