Song Number 190 of My Top 200 Songs of All-Time--Go To Rio

Early 1980's, I decided on a lark to go to a concert up at Saratoga Performing Art Center by a singer named Peter Allen. Knew very little about him except he was a singer, songwriter, musician. All I know is that he put on an incredible performance---multi-talented, great story teller and hilarious. I was a fan of his ever since.

By now, many people know his story. Born in Australia, came to U.S. mentored by Judy Garland and married Liza Minnelli After he and Minnelli divorced, he came out of the closet. His partner performed in the band. Sadly, they both ultimately lost their lives to AIDS. The Broadway Musical, Boy from Oz, starring Hugh Jackman, was about the amazing life of Peter Allen.

He left an incredible legacy of songs he wrote and performed like Arthur's Theme, I Honestly Love You, Don't Cry Out Loud, Bi-Coastal, You Haven't Heard the Last of Me and so many more.



But his quintessential hit song was the great party song, Go To Rio. He wrote the song in 1976 and it was in the album Taught by Experts. Though not a hit for Allen in the United States, it was a major hit for Pablo Cruise.

It is such a wonderful uplifting fun song and that is why it is my Number 190 of my Top 200 Favorite Songs of All-Time.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Peter Allen performing I Go to Rio



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