Educated at Charterhouse School, Surrey, England. Lead singer of leading art rock band Genesis from its inception until he left in 1975 for a successful solo career as a singer-songwriter. Well known as an anti-Apartheid activist, his efforts to bring different styles of international music to the attention of the West and his support for Amnesty International. His music has influenced artists such as Marillion, Simple Minds and It Bites.


Peter Gabriel was one of the founding members and former lead singer for the rock group Genesis. He left the group for a solo career in 1975. His own company, Real World, promotes world musicians and their music. Two daughters: Anna-Marie born on July 26, 1974 Melanie born August 23, 1976. Because of his song "Biko", about South African civil rights leader Stephen Bantu Biko, the apartheid government of South Africa banned all of Peter Gabiel's recordings. The bans have since been lifted. His song "Biko" was covered by Simple Minds on their 1989 album "Street Fighting Years". Genesis' 1974 album "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" came sixth in Classic Rock Magazine's list of the 30 greatest concept albums of all time. [March 2003] Performed for the BBC's annual Children in Need charity event. [21 November 2003] He can play piano, keyboards, percussion, flute, recorder and harmonica. Never scored a UK number one single, but "Sledgehammer" topped the US singles chart in 1986. Ironically, it knocked "Invisible Touch" by his former band Genesis, off the top spot. His famous song "Solsbury Hill" talks about why he decided to leave Genesis while the band was growing at a fast rate. Band mate Phil Collins took over vocals from him when he left Genesis in 1975. He sang back up vocals to Collins on the single "Take Me Home" in 1985. Sting also sang back up vocals on that same song. His song "In Your Eyes" was covered by Darren Hayes. Winner of the 1987 British Phonographic Industry Award for British Male Solo Artist. Winner of the 1993 Brit Award for British Producer. Winner of the first Pioneer Award at the BT Digital Music Awards. [3rd October 2006] Ranked #53 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Rock & Roll. His song 'Shock the monkey' was covered by Coal Chamber with Ozzy Osbourne on the album 'Chamber music'. Chosen by Time Magazine in 2008 as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Placed in the Heroes & Pioneers category, the tribute to him was written by Desmond Tutu. In 1982 he was one of the first artists to record an album entirely on digital tape and in 2000 he co-founded the first digital music download platform, OD2. His favorite singer is Otis Redding, whose music he has loved since he was a teenager and who inspired his biggest hit, "Sledgehammer".