Integral to this narrative is an unexpected yet poignantly relevant figure: Peter Weller, perhaps best known for his star-making turn in 1987's RoboCop, much of which was filmed in and around Dallas. Beyond his iconic film role, Weller is also a talented trumpet player and singer, deeply rooted in the music of his youth.
An alumnus of the University of North Texas, formerly North Texas State University, Weller immersed himself in the arts during a pivotal decade of change. His passion for jazz has not waned over the years; it has flourished into a significant part of his identity as a performer. In 2023, Weller showcased his talents by headlining the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival with his jazz band, Fly Naked.
Through Weller's experiences, we gain access to untold stories of the Dallas music scene, reflecting the broader cultural shifts that shaped American society. His dual legacy as a film icon and a dedicated musician highlights the rich tapestry of creativity and expression that defined this remarkable era in North Texas.
Weller graduated from UNT in 1970, a time when Denton, a small yet dynamic college town, served as both a sanctuary and a launching pad for creative minds.
“Denton was a dry town,” Weller recalls, “forcing us to travel to Dallas for a taste of the vibrant nightlife.”
This very necessity illuminated the relationship between youth culture and music during a time when political protests and social issues dominated the national landscape. The Vietnam War loomed heavily over the minds of those in Weller’s generation, influencing not only their art but also their daily lives.
As an actor and musician, Weller found himself at the crossroads of these cultural currents.
“Music was revolutionary back then,” he says, reflecting on the transformative power of artistic expression during times of strife.
Emerging artists, bands and genres quickly found fertile ground in the Dallas scene, bridging the gap between art and activism.
“You were either watching history unfold or you were part of it,” Weller notes, emphasizing the urgency felt by those who embraced the tumultuous climate of the era.
The range of musical genres that flourished in Dallas echoed the diversity of opinions and perspectives on pressing issues. From protest songs addressing the Vietnam War to the emergence of psychedelic rock, artists of the time used their platforms to voice dissent and inspire change.
“You could feel the energy in the air," Weller says. "There was this palpable sense of revolution.”
This energy was particularly embodied in the music coming out of North Texas, with UNT becoming a hotbed for jazz, rock and experimental genres.
Consider the significance of figures like Gary Grant, who emerged from UNT’s storied music program. While some may not recognize his name today, Weller believes that artists like Grant were pivotal in shaping the soundscape of their times.
“The music from that period was ahead of everything else,” Weller says, providing a rare insight into how the college and its students spurred cultural innovation amid crisis.
The Dallas music scene was a melting pot where musical styles intersected with political consciousness, framing the narrative of a generation. Weller’s years at UNT were not merely academic; they were a time of profound personal evolution.
“I had my eye-opening moments there,” he says, recounting how his experiences molded the artist he would later become. “I couldn’t be Miles Davis, so I had to find my own identity.”
This exploration of identity resonated within the greater Dallas music community, where artists were constantly redefining themselves in response to the changing socio-political climate.
Transitioning from college life to the professional world proved challenging yet invigorating.
“You could feel a sense of urgency in the music,” Weller recalls, resonating with the struggles faced by college students seeking their place in an ever-evolving society. For Weller, engaging with the music scene allowed him to escape from the sometimes stifling atmosphere of Denton and embrace the lively spirit of Dallas.
“You wanted something bigger than a small town, and Dallas was the antidote,” he says.
However, the exhilaration of Dallas nightlife belied contradictions that existed within the music community. Weller describes the surreal juxtaposition of living in a predominantly religious, dry county while being at the heart of marijuana trafficking. This stark reality shaped a unique culture that often used music as an escape. A comic friend told Weller there was a sense of revolution that made drug use feel justified.
"Music became our way to make sense of it all,” he says.
This intertwining of music and substance reflected a broader acceptance of cultural rebellion, creating an environment where artistic expression flourished.
A significant moment in Weller’s journey was his first viewing of 2001: A Space Odyssey, an experience that epitomized the era’s culture.
“When I saw it in Dallas, sitting on the first row, of course, I would have wagered that everyone was stoned," he says. "But stoned or not, the film was electric!”
Peter Weller, center, appears in a climactic scene from The Guest, a production by the University of North Texas during the 1969-70 drama season.
UNT Digital Library
As Weller navigated the landscape of music and film, his experiences filming RoboCop in Dallas further cemented his connection to the city that shaped his career and artistic identity.
“It was a gift for me to be filming in a place that had such a rich musical history,” he says.
The production opened up new opportunities for exploration in an environment steeped in musical richness and cultural diversity.
Swinging Sixties
In unraveling the narrative of the Dallas music scene during this transformative era, Weller’s perspective illuminates the often-overlooked stories of the artists who created in the eye of the storm. The music echoed the struggles and triumphs of those years, intertwining with the broader social narrative as it resonated in local bars and on national stages.“For us, music was more than entertainment; it was survival, expression, and a form of protest and identity,” Weller says.
This sentiment encapsulated the experiences of countless individuals who found solace and strength in the sounds that defined a generation. It was a time when every chord struck or lyric sung held a deeper significance — a stark reminder of the world outside, where political tensions brewed and the fight for civil rights raged on.
The Dallas music scene of the late '60s and early '70s was not just a local phenomenon, but a vital chapter in the history of American music and culture. It was a time when every venue pulsed with raw energy, every artist sought authenticity, and every song became a vessel for change.
Weller reflects on this vibrant period with a personal memory.
“I remember that I saw Jimi Hendrix at the Dallas Memorial Auditorium in June 1970, a few weeks before he passed," he says. "Chicago opened for him. The event, seeing Jimi in brilliance, and who, in my mind, is incomparable, left a virtually eternal music legacy in me.”
As we look back on this era, it is essential to recognize this legacy — one that speaks to the heart of Dallas, a city forever influenced by the revolutionary spirit of its artists. The stories of the musicians and the cultural movements they sparked linger on, reminding us that music, in its many forms, serves as a powerful force for connection and transformation, bridging the gaps between laughter and protest, joy and sorrow, and individual and collective experiences.
As Weller continues to reflect on his storied career, he remains actively engaged in the world of jazz, art and literature. He recently contributed to a notable anthology published by Routledge, titled Jazz and Literature: An Introduction, which features an edited diary chronicling his life experiences with the legendary Miles Davis. This work, a reflection of his deep-rooted connection to music, represents years of dedication.
Weller is also excited about his forthcoming collaboration with Cambridge University Press on Leon Battista Alberti in Exile, a book that highlights the multifaceted talent of Leon Battista Alberti as a poet, playwright, painter, architect and humanist.
Weller honors and cherishes his past, particularly in Texas, but also paves the way for future dialogue within the artistic community, reflecting a life lived in pursuit of beauty and expression.
