Peter Gabriel, born on February 13, 1950, in Surrey, England, is a British musician who used to be the lead singer in the rock band Genesis. He left Genesis in 1975 because he became interested in world rhythms. People speculated about him leaving Genesis for a long time before he officially left on August 15, 1975.
Apart from being a musician, he is also an activist, record producer, and songwriter. His single ‘Sledgehammer’ won a record nine MTV Awards at the 1987 MTV Music Awards and was the most viewed music video on MTV in 2011.
Throughout his career, he has been devoted to world music and has been involved in many humanitarian events. He is known for his anti-apartheid single ‘Biko’ and was associated with the Amnesty International Human Rights Now tour in 1988.
Peter Gabriel has received several awards, including three BRIT Awards, six Grammy Awards, 13 MTV Music Video Awards, The Q Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Polar Music Prize.
His activism for human rights earned him the Man of Peace Award from the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates in 2006, and he was recognized as one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2008.
Why did Peter Gabriel leave Genesis?
Gabriel left Genesis because he wanted to explore new and experimental directions outside of music. He felt that the band’s future plans involved long tours, and he didn’t want to be part of what he called a “machine.”
He realized he was becoming a typical “rock star,” dealing with ego gratification, which he didn’t like. He felt unhappy with himself and the situation. Additionally, he was about to have a child with his wife, and that became his top priority, which upset the band.
His tastes were changing, and he collaborated with director William Friedkin on a project, which sparked ideas outside of the band. At the conclusion of this period, he announced that he was leaving Genesis.
He mentioned that the distance from his child and the difficulties surrounding the birth of his first child contributed to his decision. He shared with the British Music Press in August 1975 that the cooperative way of writing songs in the band had become too dominant and pushed them towards success, which affected the band’s perspective as a whole.
What Went Wrong with His Fellow Bandmates?
Peter Gabriel had helped in the theatrical development of Genesis and its success, but the bandmates felt that he was messing up their chosen music path. They became more theatrical than musical, and this didn’t go well, especially with Tony Banks.
Things got worse when Gabriel wrote all of the lyrics, with creative differences between him and the rest of the group becoming starker. He went for more experimental methods in music, saying that he had more interest in foreign sounds.
Since then, he has contributed to world music in his entire career and became a world-famous musician. Phil Collins took up the main role in Genesis, but then the band reunited.
They performed a reunion show in 1975, and Gabriel continued to turn down major deals and offers from the band. He stayed absent during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2010.
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FAQs
Who is Peter Gabriel?
Peter Gabriel is a British musician, singer, songwriter, and activist. He was born on February 13, 1950, in Surrey, England. Gabriel is best known for his time as the lead singer of the progressive rock band Genesis, where he gained fame and recognition in the 1970s.
Why did Peter Gabriel leave Genesis?
Peter Gabriel left Genesis in 1975 to explore new musical directions and prioritize his family responsibilities as he was about to become a father. He also felt that he was losing his individuality within the band and wanted to pursue his own artistic vision.
