Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

February 13, 1950 in Chobham, Surrey, England

Genre

:

Film

 

Peter Gabriel is a British musician, singer, and songwriter who is best known for his work as the lead vocalist of the progressive rock band Genesis. Born on February 13, 1950, in Chobham, Surrey, England, Gabriel grew up in a musical family. His father, Ralph Parton Gabriel, was an electrical engineer and his mother, Edith Irene Allen, was a singer and a teacher of modern languages. Gabriel attended Charterhouse School, a prestigious boarding school in Godalming, Surrey, where he met his future bandmates in Genesis. The band was formed in 1967, and Gabriel became the lead vocalist and flautist. Genesis gained popularity in the early 1970s with their progressive rock sound and theatrical live performances, which often featured Gabriel in elaborate costumes and makeup. Gabriel's early compositions with Genesis were characterized by their complex arrangements and poetic lyrics. He wrote many of the band's most memorable songs, including "The Musical Box," "Supper's Ready," and "Watcher of the Skies." Gabriel's distinctive voice and stage presence helped to establish Genesis as one of the most innovative and influential bands of the progressive rock era. In 1975, Gabriel left Genesis to pursue a solo career. His first solo album, "Peter Gabriel," was released in 1977 and featured the hit single "Solsbury Hill." The album showcased Gabriel's eclectic musical influences, incorporating elements of rock, pop, world music, and experimental soundscapes. Gabriel's subsequent solo albums, including "Peter Gabriel II" (1978), "Peter Gabriel III" (1980), and "Peter Gabriel IV" (1982), continued to explore new musical territory and established him as a solo artist in his own right. Gabriel's solo work was characterized by his innovative use of technology and his collaborations with other musicians and artists. He was an early adopter of digital recording techniques and used them to create complex, layered soundscapes on his albums. He also worked with a wide range of musicians, including Kate Bush, Laurie Anderson, and Youssou N'Dour, and incorporated elements of world music into his compositions. One of Gabriel's most notable collaborations was with the filmmaker Martin Scorsese on the soundtrack for the film "The Last Temptation of Christ" (1988). Gabriel's haunting, atmospheric score was inspired by Middle Eastern and North African music and featured contributions from musicians such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and David Rhodes. The soundtrack was widely praised and earned Gabriel a Grammy Award for Best New Age Album. Gabriel's later work continued to push the boundaries of popular music. He collaborated with the musician and producer Brian Eno on the album "Passion" (1989), which was inspired by Gabriel's travels in the Middle East and featured contributions from musicians such as Shankar and Baaba Maal. The album was a critical and commercial success and earned Gabriel another Grammy Award for Best New Age Album. In 1992, Gabriel released "Us," a deeply personal album that explored themes of love, loss, and family. The album featured collaborations with musicians such as Daniel Lanois and Tony Levin and included the hit single "Digging in the Dirt." Gabriel's subsequent albums, including "Up" (2002) and "Scratch My Back" (2010), continued to showcase his innovative approach to music and his willingness to experiment with new sounds and styles.

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