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| Peter Gabriel (solo) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Peter Gabriel |
| Caption | Gabriel performing in 2016 |
| Birth name | Peter Brian Gabriel |
| Birth date | 1950-02-13 |
| Origin | Chobham, Surrey |
| Genres | Progressive rock, World music, Art rock, Pop rock, Ambient music |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, activist |
| Years active | 1967–present |
| Labels | Charisma Records, Geffen Records, Real World Records |
| Associated acts | Genesis, Kate Bush, Brian Eno, Robert Fripp, Peter Hammill, Tony Levin, David Rhodes, Youssou N'Dour |
Peter Gabriel (solo) Peter Gabriel is an English singer, songwriter, and producer known for a prolific solo career following his departure from Genesis. Combining Progressive rock, World music, and pop sensibilities, he achieved critical and commercial success with innovative albums, multimedia projects, and humanitarian activism. His work bridged collaborations with artists across Africa, Latin America, and Europe, and he founded initiatives to promote world music and human rights.
Gabriel left Genesis in 1975 after the commercial tour supporting the album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway; his exit followed tensions with band members Phil Collins, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, and management at Charisma Records. He launched a solo career with the self-titled 1977 debut produced by Bob Ezrin, featuring musicians from Brand X, King Crimson, and the Camel circle. Early solo work involved collaborators such as Robert Fripp, Simon Phillips, and Larry Fast, and drew attention from media outlets including BBC Radio 1 and magazines like Rolling Stone. Gabriel's move coincided with contemporaries such as David Bowie, Sting, and Elton John exploring solo identities after long group associations.
Gabriel's style fused influences from Progressive rock pioneers Yes and Pink Floyd with experimental producers like Brian Eno and Brian Wilson. He incorporated rhythmic and melodic elements from West Africa, Brazil, and India, working with masters connected to Fela Kuti, Ali Farka Touré, and Youssou N'Dour. Production techniques referenced innovations by Phil Spector, Quincy Jones, and Trevor Horn, while his vocal phrasing showed inspiration from Kate Bush, Peter Hammill, and Paul Simon. Synthesizers and sampling technologies from companies such as Fairlight, ARP Instruments, and Yamaha Corporation also shaped his sound.
Gabriel's major albums include the 1977 debut Peter Gabriel (Security in the US), 1978's often-called Peter Gabriel (Scratch) and 1980's Peter Gabriel (Melt), culminating in the landmark 1986 release So produced with Daniel Lanois and featuring the hit singles "Sledgehammer", "In Your Eyes", and "Big Time". "Sledgehammer" earned awards from MTV Video Music Awards and collaborations with animators like Aardman Animations and directors tied to Stop motion innovation. Other significant works include Birdy soundtrack, the album Us with "Digging in the Dirt", and the soundtrack for The Last Temptation of Christ with director Martin Scorsese's interest in film scoring approaches. Tracks such as "Shock the Monkey", "Games Without Frontiers", and "Don't Give Up" (with Kate Bush) remain staples associated with Grammy Awards and international charts including Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart.
Gabriel collaborated widely: duet partners and session musicians include Kate Bush, Sting, Brian Eno, Robert Fripp, Peter Hammill, Tony Levin, Nile Rodgers, Daniel Lanois, Peter Gabriel (solo), and global artists like Youssou N'Dour, Manu Chao, Lou Reed, Sinéad O'Connor, and Jerry Marotta. He co-founded the WOMAD festival with Thomas Brooman and supports the Real World Studios community that hosted recordings for artists such as Ravi Shankar, Anoushka Shankar, Baaba Maal, and Buena Vista Social Club. Gabriel contributed to benefit projects including Band Aid, AIDS relief concerts, and albums alongside figures like Bono and Bob Geldof.
Gabriel's live reputation was shaped by theatrical early Genesis-era shows and later elaborate solo tours such as the So Tour, Us Tour, and the long-running Growing Up Tour. He broke ground with production teams including choreographers and directors who worked with Robert Lepage and video designers influenced by Peter Gabriel (solo), integrating surround sound and visual artists from London's West End, The Royal Opera House, and festival stages like Glastonbury Festival and Coachella. Notable live releases include Plays Live and Secret World Live, featuring musicians from his touring band and collaborators like David Rhodes, Jerry Marotta, and David Sancious.
Gabriel produced and championed artists through Real World Records and Real World Studios, nurturing world-music talents such as Youssou N'Dour, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Baaba Maal, and Oumou Sangaré. He worked as a producer and executive with engineers and producers including Daniel Lanois, Nile Rodgers, Bob Ezrin, and mixing professionals from Abbey Road Studios and Electric Lady Studios. His label fostered cross-cultural compilations, soundtrack collaborations, and partnerships with distributors like EMI and Geffen Records.
Gabriel co-founded and backed human rights and technology initiatives including Witness (organization), supported campaigns by Amnesty International, and organized benefit events with figures such as Bono, Sting, and Bob Geldof. His advocacy for digital audio formats and artist rights engaged with organizations like IFPI and debates around RIAA policies. Gabriel's legacy influences artists across generations—from Radiohead and Coldplay to world-music practitioners—and he has been recognized by institutions including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of Genesis) and awards such as the Ivor Novello Awards and Brit Awards. His pioneering fusion of technology, global collaboration, and theatrical performance continues to inform contemporary music, multimedia production, and humanitarian activism.
Category:English singer-songwriters Category:Progressive rock musicians Category:World music