Biographie
First performing in Brooklyn waterfront bars at 14, John Pieplow, producer, writer, director, musician, and songwriter, frequently played weekends with Chuck Berry and The Platters as a high school student. Later he attended NYU and the New School, where he received a Master's in Film and occasionally lectured in the Graduate Film Program. John's Masters Thesis Film, "Watcher By The Dead," featuring new actor Annabella Sciorra, was screened at the Toronto Film Festival.
John also directed hundreds of scenes with actors at HB Studios after a chance encounter with Uta Hagen.
Fresh out of college and looking older than his years but still without much work experience, John was hired as a Film Designer for the Broadway Production of "Lolita,"--a front-of-the-house credit that had never appeared before. The production starred Donald Sutherland and was written by Edward Albee, with whom John had a warm relationship.
While directing off and off-off Broadway plays, John again did Film Design for the 8-times Tony-nominated Broadway Musical, "Baby," for which John received glowing reviews, including from Frank Rich, lead critic for The New York Times.
For Playwrights Horizons and Andre Bishop, John again received great reviews as Film Designer for "Terra Nova," Oscar-winner Ted Tally's first produced play.
While enjoying much theater success, John crossed over and produced, wrote, and directed hundreds of award-winning TV and radio commercials for such diverse clients as American Express, American Airlines, Revlon, Proctor and Gamble, AT&T, GE, Westinghouse, and dozens of travel and leisure companies, like Lowes and Hilton Hotels.
He directed the Peter Allen Rockefeller Center Fiftieth Anniversary Show. He worked with Gregory Hines and Lionel Hampton on the Coty Awards and the Black Designer of the Year awards show at FIT, where John also worked with Audrey Hepburn on the 30th Anniversary of Givenchy.
John directed and produced the hugely successful Michael Jackson/Pepsi campaign launch, the most significant corporate collaboration ever with a musical artist.
Moving to Los Angeles, John directed and collaborated with author Paul Gillette on the play, "Red River Rats." Paul wrote the novel, "Play Misty For Me, which was Clint Eastwood's directorial debut. John directed the "Red River Rats" premiere with an all-star ensemble cast. It was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.
Quite by accident, and before video streaming, John wrote and directed "Jurassic Women," a comedy-spoof sci-fi/martial arts film. Again, by happenstance, the film, shot in 6 days for $36,000, became a favorite at the American Film Market. The Los Angeles Times featured the movie with a headline, "On A 'Jurassic Women' Trade Strategy." The film pre-sold in the millions and became a late-night mainstay on USA Network for many years.
John directed the theatrically released (through Sony Pictures) Shooting Gallery feature, "StrangeLand," starring Kevin Gage, Elizabeth Pena, Amy Smart, Linda Cardellini, and Robert England. It soon became a cult film.
A member of the WGA and DGA, John has written and re-written dozens of movie scripts and TV shows.
In another fortunate twist of fate, after returning from a writing-directing assignment, "Rose of Connemara," in Ireland, John was invited to perform his unique blend of jazz, blues, and rock music around Los Angeles as a singer, guitar player, and songwriter.
As had happened before, what began as a small venture, quickly grew. Famed lit manager and harmonica player Joel Gotler (Sting) began performing with John's band. Live Nation soon engaged them and began frequently performing in larger and larger venues, including the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.
Groups John opened for include Earth Wind and Fire, Foreigner, Huey Lewis and the News, Ambrosia, Chicago, The Yardbirds, Davy Jones, Maria Muldaur, and Adam Lambert.
John also co-wrote and produced the soundtrack album, "Biker Run," with Chris Squire (Yes), starring Michael Ironside and Sean Young. John also became the director of the film, as well.
He wrote and performed the entire soundtrack for Lorne Michael's produced ABC prime-time satire, "Sons and Daughters," starring Brie Larson.
John received numerous recording contracts, released two albums, and won many music awards, including "Best Solo Artist," "Album of the Year," and "Best Alternative Band." His music can be found on Prime, Apple, Amazon, and Spotify, where John also has a radio station called "John Pieplow Radio," which broadcasts 24 hours a day.
