Peter Himmelman

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. 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 Maria Dylan, a lawyer and 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 1998: Himmelvaults, Vol. 1 1999: Himmelman Music for Film 2002: Himmelvaults, Vol. 2 2004: Himmelvaults, Vol. 3 – bundled with Unstoppable Forces 2005: Himmelvaults, Vol. 4 Pristine 2005: Himmelvaults, Vol. 5 When Grace Collides with Sin 2006: Himmelvaults, Vol. 6 2007: Himmelvaults, Vol. 7 2008: Himmelvaults, Vol. 8 2009: Blackout in the Book of Light 2011: Flimsy 2014: Himmelvaults, Vol. 9 Spinoza Bear Project In the early 1980s, Himmelman wrote and produced songs for Spinoza Bear, a therapeutic stuffed animal that was used to eliminate the stress of children in hospitals, rape victims, autism sufferers and others. He also provided the voice of the bear. 1984: I'm Your Friend and My Name Is Spinoza – Bonding, Opens Communication 1985: You Are All You Need To Be – Encouragement, Self Esteem 1985: Everybody Needs A Little Tenderness – Ease Anxiety 1985: Dream on the Water – Encourage Sleep 1986: Do You Wonder – Curiosity, Learning 1986: Good Friends – Feelings, Relationships 1991: New Beginnings – Relaxation, Healthy Choices 1991: Breathing Healthy, Breathing Free – Positive Attitude, Deep Breathing 1991: Hold On to Me – Grief and Loss 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. TV scoring credits Bones (FOX) Judging Amy (CBS) – Emmy-nominated song "Best Kind of Answer" Men in Trees (ABC) Ex List (CBS) Heartland (TNT) Freshmen Diaries (Showtime) The American Embassy (FOX) Going to California (Showtime) Making the Band 4 (MTV) Bug Juice (Disney) ER – Season 9 – "A Thousand Cranes" (NBC): "Always in Disguise", from the album Flown This Acid World Miami Vice – Season 3 – "Lend Me an Ear" (NBC) How To Rock (Nickelodeon) Film music and scoring credits Ash Tuesday – Janeane Garofalo Four Feet The Souler Opposite – Chris Meloni, Tim Busfield Bill's Gun Shop A Slipping-Down Life – Guy Pearce, Lili Taylor Dinner & Driving – Joey Slotnick, Paula DeVico, Sam Robards, Brigitte Bako Liar's Poker – Flea Crossing the Bridge – Jason Gedrick, Stephen Baldwin, David Schwimmer Pyrates – Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick Queen Sized – Nikki Blonsky Porn 'n Chicken Snow in August A Face to Kill For – Doug Savant, Crystal Bernard Long Gone – Dermot Mulroney Heart of Dixie – Ally Sheedy, Phoebe Cates, Treat Williams Himmelman is also a visual artist and painter whose work appeared on the cover of his 1987 Island release Synesthesia. A collection of his recent art can be found online. Himmelman is also a poet and essayist, making many contributions to the philosophy blog Feed Your Head. Robins, Wayne (August 18, 2014). "Life Lessons From Bob Dylan's Brilliant Jewish Singer-Songwriter Son-in-Law". Tablet Magazine. Retrieved February 1, 2025. "Peter Himmelman". GRAMMY.com. Retrieved February 1, 2025. Blatt, Ruth (November 13, 2013). "This Grammy-Nominated Musician Uses Songwriting To Help People Do Their Jobs Better". Forbes. Retrieved February 1, 2025. Himmelman, Peter (March 2025). "Daniel Pearl and Me". Commentary. Retrieved February 1, 2025. Robins, Wayne (August 18, 2014). "Life Lessons From Bob Dylan's Brilliant Jewish Singer-Songwriter Son-in-Law". Tablet Magazine. Retrieved June 1, 2023. "Peter Himmelman Puts Family Before Rock 'n' Roll". NPR. October 12, 2010. Retrieved June 7, 2024. Himmelman, an Orthodox Jew, turned down an invitation to perform on The Tonight Show when it became apparent that the performance would fall on the Jewish holiday Sukkot I pray three times a day ... I've been doing this for 24 years, three times a day. http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/tim-townsend/article_b9678b56-f5e9-5be7-9578-9d66c8a6565e.html "Update 14: Just To Clarify... · Peter Himmelman's new record – The Boat That Carries Us". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved August 26, 2018. "Peter Himmelman's Furious World". Furiousworld.com. Retrieved August 26, 2018. Townsend, Tim. "Rock G-d Peter Himmelman explores his faith". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved February 1, 2025. "Peter Himmelman- Artist". Himmelmanart.com. Retrieved August 26, 2018. "Feed Your Head". Retrieved June 7, 2024.