Peter Gabriel

How it started.

Peter began making music at school, moving from drums to singing. At Charterhouse he found the musicians who became Genesis. As their frontman, he combined vocals and flute with stories, masks and costumes, helping turn the band’s concerts into theatrical events. He left in 1975 to find his own way.

Finding his voice.

His first solo album arrived in 1977, with Solsbury Hill introducing a new chapter. Biko followed in 1980, remembering the South African anti-apartheid leader Steve Biko. In 1986, So brought together songs such as Sledgehammer, In Your Eyes and Don’t Give Up, with guests including Kate Bush, Youssou N’Dour and Laurie Anderson. Sledgehammer reached No. 1 in the US.

Opening the circle.

Peter’s curiosity extends beyond his own records. He helped create WOMAD, whose first festival took place in 1982, and launched Real World Records in 1989. Passion grew from his score for Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ, bringing together musicians including Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Youssou N’Dour and Baaba Maal. In 1992 he co-founded WITNESS to help people use video to defend human rights.