At 75, Peter Gabriel reflects on his unconventional musical journey, marked by his departure from Genesis in 1975 in pursuit of artistic freedom. His solo career, featuring innovative albums and the iconic ‘So’, propelled him to fame with hits like ‘Sledgehammer’. Despite periods of silence, he remained active in humanitarian efforts, founding Real World Records and advocating for human rights. Gabriel emphasizes balancing music with his activism, believing in the importance of variety in life.
Peter Gabriel at 75: A Unique Musical Journey
At the remarkable age of 75, Peter Gabriel reflects on a distinctive and unconventional career in music. While he dominated the charts in the 1980s with iconic hits like ‘Sledgehammer’, ‘Red Rain’, and ‘Don’t Give Up’, Gabriel has consistently sought to move beyond the typical pop star lifestyle throughout his journey.
Breaking Away from Genesis
Gabriel’s refusal to conform became evident when he made a surprising exit from his role as the lead vocalist of the progressive rock band Genesis in 1975, at the peak of their popularity. Since their inception in 1967, Genesis had become a major force in the British rock scene, poised for a breakthrough in the United States.
The band’s ascent was not just due to their orchestral sound explorations but also the eccentric stage presence of their frontman. Gabriel was known for his outrageous costumes, transforming into fantastical creatures to enhance the band’s ethereal sound and surreal lyrics.
When he left the group following their world tour for ‘The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway’, Gabriel cited personal reasons, including a desire for greater artistic freedom and the need to spend time with his newborn daughter, Anna. During his hiatus from rock ‘n’ roll, he delved into self-exploration, practiced yoga, and took up gardening, while Phil Collins, the drummer, steered Genesis into a new era of success.
A Distinctive Solo Career
In 1976, Peter Gabriel embarked on his solo career with renewed ambition, although his initial releases were slow to gain traction. Between 1977 and 1982, he produced four albums that intriguingly lacked official titles. While tracks like ‘Solsbury Hill’ and ‘Games Without Frontiers’ found some chart success, Gabriel’s intention was clear: he wanted to avoid being pigeonholed into mainstream pop categories.
His early solo work featured experimental digital recording techniques, resulting in dark, slow compositions that defied typical song structures and radio appeal. Critics received these albums positively, yet they didn’t hint at the monumental success Gabriel would achieve with his 1986 album ‘So’.
Soaring to Stardom with ‘Sledgehammer’
In 1986, Peter Gabriel meticulously orchestrated his breakthrough as a solo artist with the album ‘So’. Featuring radio-friendly tracks such as ‘Sledgehammer’, ‘Big Time’, ‘Red Rain’, and emotional ballads like ‘Don’t Give Up’ and ‘In Your Eyes’, the album propelled him to superstardom.
The innovative music videos accompanying these classic 1980s tracks also captivated audiences. The stop-motion video for ‘Sledgehammer’ quickly became a sensation, earning nine awards at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards, a record that remains unbroken.
Long Hiatus and Artistic Growth
Despite his explosive success, Gabriel took a six-year break before releasing his follow-up album ‘Us’ in 1992. During this time, he composed a soundtrack for Martin Scorsese’s film ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’ (1988). Over the next three decades, Gabriel largely stepped away from the solo artist spotlight, taking his time between album releases, with ‘Up’ arriving in 2002 and the cover album ‘Scratch My Back’ in 2010.
In 2011, he released ‘New Blood’, where he reimagined his biggest hits with orchestral arrangements. After a long silence, Gabriel returned in 2023 with ‘i/o’, an album that received enthusiastic acclaim from critics and fans alike.
A Life of Activism and Philanthropy
While his music output slowed, Gabriel remained active in various fields. He founded ‘Real World Records’ in 1989, providing artists worldwide with modern recording facilities and a platform at the ‘WOMAD’ world music festivals.
Known as the ‘good person of pop’, Gabriel has dedicated years to human rights advocacy, collaborating with organizations like ‘Amnesty International’ and co-founding ‘The Elders’, a coalition of peace activists and human rights defenders. This initiative, which includes notable figures like Richard Branson and Nelson Mandela, aims to leverage their collective influence for global peace and humanitarian efforts.
Reflecting on his music career and activism, Gabriel stated in an interview, “I believe you can oversaturate people, and then they get bored with you. One of the reasons I can still live off my music is that I regularly take longer breaks.” He emphasized the importance of balancing his musical endeavors with his political commitments, remarking, “All these things are just as important to me as my music. The main thing is not to lead a boring life, right?”