Intuitive Music

30 years ago today, after having recorded six legendary albums with Genesis, Peter Gabriel the quit the band to start a solo career which turned him into one of the most innovative producers of all times. Gabriel sent a press release leaving his statement very clear: “I’m not quitting Genesis not be a Bowie and I’m not quitting Genesis to be a Ferry”.

Gabriel is considered one of the most creative and innovative producers, writers, performers and video makers from the 20th Century. After leaving Genesis, he set his own recording studios in an old mill in Bath, Whiltshire, UK, where he recorded four solo albums during the last 70’s concentrated in the exploration all sorts of innovative sound techniques, fusioning all short of music styles in a very personal way. Gabriel debuted as a solo artist in 1977 with the release of “Peter Gabriel 1″ album, for which he got surrounded by a wonderful set of musicians including guitarist Robert Fripp of King Crimson, bass player Tony Levin later of King Crimson, drummer Allan Schwartzberg, percussionist Jim Maelen, guitarist Steve Hunter, keyboardist Jozef Chirowski and the essential advice and collaboration of Larry Fast on synthesizers and programming. The track “Solsbury Hill” reached number 13 in the UK lists. Taking a giant step from his Genesis past, Gabriel produced a personal explorative world centered in the sound language and it’s effects on the subconscious of the human psyche. During his solo career Gabriel has found a way to use the music to explore and heal his own psychological conflicts as a short of therapy.

Peter Gabriel has recorded eight solo studio albums since he left Genesis, including “So” which is one of the best produced albums ever. Apart from his solo career, Gabriel found the WOMAD (World of Music, Arts & Dance) festival in 1980. He has also produced music for films such as Martin Scorsese’s “The Last Temptation Of Christ”, released as “Passion” and Alan Parker’s “Birdie”.

In 1991, Peter Gabriel founded the Real World label to host international artists from different cultures. During the early 90’s, Gabriel increased his involvement into human rights, appearing at the Nelson Mandela concerts at Wembley and working with Amnesty International to set up the “Human Rights Now” tour. In 1992, Gabriel initiated the “Witness” programme in collaboration with the Reebok Foundation in the USA, to arm human rights activists from around the world with hand-held video cameras and other tools of mass communication. He has also supported the launch of Greenpeace in Russia and also contributed to the ‘One World, One Voice’ album.