Peter Himmelman

• Name — Peter Himmelman • Background — solo_singer • Genre — Rock, folk rock, folk, blues • Born — 23 November 1959 • Birthplace — St. Louis Park, Minnesota, U.S. • Instrument — Vocals, guitar, piano, bass • Occupation — Singer-songwriter, composer, speaker • Years Active — 1980–present • Label — Himmasongs • Past Member Of — Sussman Lawrence • Website — peterhimmelman.com www.bigmuse.com Peter Himmelman (born November 23, 1959, in St. Louis Park, Minnesota) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and film and television composer from Minnesota, who formerly played in the Minneapolis indie rock band Sussman Lawrence before pursuing an extensive solo career.

• Illustration — Himmelman in 2017 at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis Himmelman garnered his first solo deal on Island Records in 1985 after a video for the song "Eleventh Confession" made its way onto regular rotation on MTV. His first release, This Father's Day, was composed for his father, David. In the early '90s, he achieved significant alternative radio play with songs including "The Woman With The Strength of 10000 Men", from his From Strength To Strength release. He was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2002 for his song "Best Kind of Answer", which appeared in the CBS series Judging Amy, for which he also composed the score. He was the composer for the FOX television show Bones through the fourth season. He was nominated for a Grammy Award for his children's album, My Green Kite. USA Today has called Himmelman "one of rock's most wildly imaginative performers" for his often highly improvisational stage shows.

In 2011 Himmelman began working with organizations and brands such as McDonald's, Gap Inc., and Banana Republic to help them achieve better communication, innovation and leadership, via a company he started called Big Muse. The methodology Himmelman created is designed to help organizations increase innovative thinking, team building and leadership ability. Its main metaphor for teaching these skills is songwriting.

Himmelman met journalist Daniel Pearl briefly at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., in 1995. After Pearl's murder in Pakistan in 2002, Himmelman became deeply engaged with Pearl's story and legacy. He visited Pearl's parents, Judea Pearl and Ruth Pearl, in Encino, California, and wrote the musical tribute "For a Son" in Pearl's honor. He has written about Pearl's legacy in publications including Commentary magazine.

Himmelman is married to lawyer Maria Dylan, adopted daughter of Bob Dylan. They have four children. Himmelman identifies as an Orthodox Jew, prays three times a day, and does not work on the Jewish Sabbath or Jewish holidays.

• 1986: This Father's Day (reissued 1995) • 1987: Gematria • 1989: Synesthesia • 1991: From Strength to Strength • 1992: Flown This Acid World • 1994: Skin • 1999: Love Thinketh No Evil • 2004: Unstoppable Forces (bonus disc: Himmelvaults, vol. 3) • 2005: Imperfect World • 2007: Pigeons Couldn't Sleep (bonus DVD: Rock God – originally titled: Mittin Derinin) • 2010: The Mystery and the Hum • 2014: The Boat That Carries Us • 2017: There Is No Calamity • 2020: Press On • 2024: At the Emergence of Stars

• 1978: Shangoya – "Get a Grip" – 7" single • 1979: Sussman Lawrence – Hail to the Modern Hero (reissued 1980) • 1984: Sussman Lawrence – Pop City • 2004: The Complete Sussman Lawrence (1979–1985) (double CD reissue with bonus tracks) (CD, Deep Shag Records) • 2013: Minnesota – Are You There? (2013)

• 1997: My Best Friend Is a Salamander • 2000: My Fabulous Plum (re-issued 2004) • 2004: My Lemonade Stand • 2007: My Green Kite • 2009: My Trampoline

• 1996: Stage Diving – Live from The Bottom Line – NY, NY • 2008: Pen and Ink

• 2004: The Complete Sussman Lawrence (1979–1985) (double CD reissue with bonus tracks) (CD, Deep Shag Records) • 2005: Mission of My Soul, The Best of Peter Himmelman • 2007: Songs of Folly and Transcendence (1998–2007) • 2011: Best of Kids Collection: Songs to Make Boring Days Fun

From 2008 to 2010, Himmelman produced a live Internet show, Furious World, broadcast every Tuesday evening from his home studio. The show featured original live music with his band, video segments that ranged from philosophical to comedic, and special guests from the world of technology, music and the arts. The film Rock God is a documentary about Himmelman directed by Keith Wolf. Tim Townsend of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wrote about the documentary in the context of Himmelman's Orthodox Jewish faith and music career.