Peter Gabriel (b. 1950)

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Biography

Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, songwriter, musician, and human rights activist. He came to prominence as the original frontman of the rock band Genesis. He left the band in 1975 and launched his solo career with a hit debut single entitled "Solsbury Hill". After Gabriel released four successful studio albums, his fifth studio album, So (1986), became his best-selling release; it is certified triple platinum in the UK and five times platinum in the US. The album's most successful single, "Sledgehammer", won a record nine MTV Awards at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards. A 2011 Time report said "Sledgehammer" was the most played music video of all time on MTV.

In Their Own Words (5)

If looks could kill, they probably will In games without frontiers — war without tears.

Games Without Frontiers , 1980

There's nothing to gain when there's nothing to be lost.There's nothing to gain if you stay behind and count the cost.Make the decision that you can be who you can be,You can be.Tasting the fruit come to the Liberty Tree.

Shaking the Tree , 1990

Changing your ways, changing those surrounding you.Changing your ways, more than any man can do.Open your heart, show him the anger and pain, so you heal.Maybe he's looking for his womanly side, let him feel.

Shaking the Tree , 1990

Fox the fox Rat on the rat You can ape the ape I know about that There is one thing you must be sure of I can't take any more Darling, don't you monkey with the monkey.

Shock The Monkey , 1982

Turning the tide, you are on the incoming wave.Turning the tide, you know you are nobody's slave.

Shaking the Tree , 1990

Timeline

The story of Peter Gabriel, told in moments.

1967 Event

Co-founded Genesis with schoolmates Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford. Gabriel's stage persona involved elaborate costumes. He'd shave the front of his head and dress as a flower or a fox.

Where did the costumes and theatrics come from? Was the fox head a statement or just fun? How did you and Tony Banks balance egos?

1975 Life

Left Genesis. His daughter had been seriously ill. He wanted to be a full-time father. His first solo single, "Solsbury Hill," was about leaving the band.

Was leaving Genesis about your daughter or about freedom? What does 'Solsbury Hill' really mean to you? Were you scared going solo?

1986 Event

Released So. "Sledgehammer" became the most-played music video in MTV history. The album sold over five million copies in the US alone.

How did 'Sledgehammer' become the most-played MTV video? Did five million copies of So change who you were? Was commercial success what you wanted?

1989 Life

Co-founded WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) and launched the human rights organization Witness, which gave video cameras to activists in conflict zones.

Why give cameras to activists in conflict zones? Is WOMAD about music or about justice? How do you balance art and advocacy?