The story of Peter Gabriel, genius musician, great creator and activist

The co -founder of the Genesis Peter Gabriel group, a real icon of music, has multiplied successes, both with the training of the British rock group and during their solo career that followed. In a biography dedicated to him, we realize that the famous singer-songwriter, now 75, has managed to lead a brilliant career without being noticed for scandals, in addition to being one of the rare singers to have persisted so long.

Certainly, Genesis marked the spirits in the 1980s and 1990s thanks, in particular, to the two legendary figures Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, who joined the group shortly after its creation. The success of the group is no longer to be discussed, with 150 million albums sold worldwide, not to mention that it was one of the pioneers of the progressive genre.

But what is remarkable in the case of Peter Gabriel is that even if he made a separate band to start solo, he managed not only to leave the group without sowing controversy and without creating enemies, but he has managed to stand out, while several predicted death on the musical level. He simply believed in him, following his musical ideals, and it worked.

But all this was not done effortlessly. Peter Gabriel is a workaholic, A great enthusiast and, above all, a musical genius of great talent, although it has not always been recognized. He would have suffered for some time, we learn. But whatever bad languages, let us point out that it has sold, in solo, more than 40 million albums, in addition to making lucrative tours around the world at closed counters.

Its beginnings

Born in England in 1950, Peter Gabriel came from a middle -class family. His mother is surrounded by musicians and transmits her knowledge by giving little Peter piano lessons.

“My mother brought me the music, empathy and love of animals. She was passionate and enthusiastic, but she also wanted to control a lot, “he said later about her.

Besides, his song And Still is a tribute to his mother, whom he wrote after his death.

As for his father, he is an electrician engineer. He will send his son in the best private schools, and his teachers will soon notice his talent for music and even as a singer. Fan of the Beatles even before adolescence, he knows that he wants a career in the world of music.

At only 12 years old, he composed his first songs. In addition to the piano, he learns the drums, the flute, the guitar, the bass and the harmonica, among others.

At the age of 15, he trained the Garden Wall group with schools. It is through his voice that Gabriel will be noticed. Three years later, he founded the Genesis group with his friends Tony Banks and Chris Stewart. After releaseing a first album, From Genesis to Revelation In 1969, Peter Gabriel recruited Phil Collins in 1970 as a drummer.

A unique scenic style

Apparently Peter Gabriel has greatly contributed to the success of Genesis. His voice and songs, which he has mostly written, are there for many, but his theatrical side on stage and his exuberance also appeal to fans. He likes to change costumes, even playing with masks and outrageous makeup, and he is mainly the creator and the director of his shows. It develops an impressive theatricality over the multimedia before the hour.

From 1969 to 1975, Genesis released six studio albums.

But despite the successes of Genesis, Peter Gabriel decided to leave his group in 1975 to lead a solo career. The rupture was amicably, it is written.

Despite several solo successes, international consecration will not come until later, in 1986, with its fifth album, So, and his song Sledgehammer. The video of this work was crowned best video of all time by the magazine Rolling Stone. His songs Big Time et In Your Eyes are also big success.

Peace activist

With his music, Peter Gabriel hopes to touch people with his words. It is said that there is a benevolent side in him that does not stop with only music. The singer leads several personal fights for world peace. It has become his life mission.

He notably helps artists from around the world record their first disc, knowing that the beginnings are often difficult. He regularly participates in charitable concerts. He is also very active with Amnesty International, in addition to having founded the Witness association in order to promote human rights.

Peter Gabriel is now recognized worldwide for his humanitarian commitments.

In 2006, he was appointed “Man of Peace” at a summit of Nobel Prize winners, and in 2008, he received the Ambassador Prize for Consciousness, which represents a whole honor for the British singer, and which only added to his momentum to get more involved in humanitarian causes.

He also supports several organizations devoting to ecology. Moreover, in his speeches and interviews, he often makes very philosophical and deep remarks.

Peter has four children; Anna-Marie and Melanie came from her marriage to Jill Moore, then were born Isaac Ralph and Luc, from her marriage to Meabh Flynn.

Peter Gabriel has won numerous prizes in his career, including six Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards and no less than 13 MTV Music Video Awards.

He also wrote several film music.

Everything about Peter Gabriel

Collective of authors

Culture Rock

178 pages