Peter Allen, Australian Entertainer

NEW YORK - Peter Allen, Australian singer, dancer, songwriter and pianist who was discovered by Judy Garland and for a time was married to Liza Minnelli, died yesterday. He was 48.

Mr. Allen died of an AIDS-related illness in a northern San Diego County hospital, his personal assistant, Bruce Cudd, said in a statement from New York. He had lived in Leucadia, about 20 miles north of San Diego, for 15 years.

Mr. Allen's last concert appearances were in January in Sydney, Australia.

Mr. Allen was born Feb. 10, 1944, in Tenterfield, Australia, where he began singing in pubs at age 5. Garland discovered the act, called Chris and Peter Allen, at the Hong Kong Hilton while she was on a world tour. She was impressed enough to ask the duo to open for her in Miami, Las Vegas and other cities. The duo later broke up and Mr. Allen went on to write songs that became hits for him and for others. He recorded 11 albums.

His hit songs included "I Honestly Love You" for Olivia Newton-John, who said Mr. Allen was a good friend. "Even though he is now gone, I'm glad I'll have his song forever," she said in a statement.

Other hits included "Don't Cry Out Loud" for Melissa Manchester; "You and Me (We Wanted It All)" for Frank Sinatra; "Arthur's Theme," for Christopher Cross; and "I'd Rather Leave While I'm in Love" for Rita Coolidge. Mr. Allen received an Academy Award for "Arthur's Theme," which was in the film "Arthur."

In 1973, during a cabaret revival here, Mr. Allen became the toast of Reno Sweeney, the most influential cabaret at that time.

But he shone in big concerts in which he was on stage nonstop, appearing tireless. He played many concerts at Radio City Music Hall. At his first appearance there, he was the first performer to join the Rockettes' kick line.

His signature song in his concerts was "Quiet Please (There's a Lady on Stage)" and "I Go to Rio."

On Broadway, he had a long run in his autobiographical show, "Up in One - More Than a Concert." In 1988, he wrote music and lyrics for a Broadway show, "Legs Diamond," and played the title role. Critics panned it and the show had a short run. His first Broadway appearance was in 1970 in "Soon" with Richard Gere and Nell Carter.