M.P.O. – Michael Peters Organisation.

The Michael Peters Organisation. Started in 1992 as Mike Peters’ own personal fan club. Produced the 21st Century Fanzine in the 90’s and began releasing records under the 21st Century Records label in 1995 with the Second Generation Vol. 1 CD

The Genesis Of The MPO by Peter Jones
(Below is the so of how the MPO started taken from one of the first issue of the MPO Fanzine “21st Century” from 1996)
Little did we realise what we were starting when Mike Peters asked me to co-ordinate a Fan Base Organisation to keep his fans fully informed of past, current and future happenings in his career. Mike insisted that it be a free information service with the unique idea of an open ‘phone-line that incorporated detailed answer-phone information when the office was unmanned. We enthusiastically went about the task of tracking down past Alarm fans from the old Alarm ‘Shelter’ Fan Club and by searching through past copies of the various Alarm fanzines. Thus the Mike Peters Organisation was formed. The first mail-out included a signed introductory letter from Mike Peters together with details of the first Mike Peters solo Exodus tour with The Poets of Justice. The first mail out was to 687 fans

Well I do remember the first ‘phone-call from Graham Brazier from the Midlands area. He had obtained our number from IRS (The Alarm’s Record Label). From that initial ‘phone-call the M.P.O. has now blossomed into a thriving buzzing office, dealing with a constant flow of letters and calls from all around the world. The fan base now stands in excess of 7000 with members all over Europe, the USA, Australia, Japan and Canada. The USA is now serviced by it’s very own M.P.O. under the capable control of Gary Zoldos in Buffalo. The expansion of the M.P.O.has led to the development of a global M.P.O. on the Internet. Initially set up by Gary Freedman, the site is now being maintained and further enhanced by a combination of Steve Fulton (USA) and Gary Overington (UK). This provides the forum for debate between fans via the Information Superhighway. It has been fascinating to observe the global expansion of the M.P.O., with people of all nationalities being drawn together by the inspiration of the lyrics and music of Mike Peters

Even though the M.P.O. is growing at an alarming rate, it is hoped we can maintain Mike’s original philosophy of the Information Fan Base – by the fans for the fans, with unique opportunities for M.P.O. members to be involved via the open phone line, by letter, by fax and now by E-Mail. Long may these principles continue…… To cope with the extra demand of the M.P.O., it has been very satisfying to welcome on board Danny Cohen. Danny and I are assisted in the M.P.O. by Megan, Dorothy, Steve, and more recently Jules who has now taken on a more active role within the M.P.O. alongside her touring and recording commitments. The Gathering Weekend in North Wales brings together committed fans from around the world, and many deep and lasting friendships have been forged through the bond of Mike Peters’ music. The Gathering Weekend provides the M.P.O. with it’s greatest administrative challenge but the many letters and phone calls after the event always make the efforts worthwhile

A further expansion of the M.P.O. has been the birth of 21st Century Records and Official 21st Century Merchandise, firstly with the release of ‘Breathe – The Acoustic Sessions’ and now with the exciting release of ‘Second Generation‘: Volume One in a series of The Alarm Revisited Collection. It is hoped that the development of Mike Peters’ career means that the M.P.O. will continue to provide you, the fans, with the up-to-date information on Mike Peters you deserve