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. Dated Rosanna Arquette His own company, Real World, promotes world musicians and their music. His song "Solsbury Hill" is titled after a small hill on the edge of the city of Bath, England. The hill is the site of an ancient dwelling and is now part the UK National Trust. Two daughters: Anna-Marie born on July 26, 1974 Melanie born August 23, 1976. Dated 'Sinead OConnor. Member and promoter of Amnesty International. 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. Suffers from bipolar disorder. His song "Biko" was covered by Simple Minds on their 1989 album "Street Fighting Years". Genesis had one hit single during his time as the lead singer, "I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)" which reached 21 in 1974. It was later covered by former Marillion singer Fish on his 1993 album "Songs From The Mirror". 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] His song, "I Don't Remember", was covered by Marillion frontman Steve Hogarth and the H Band on the album "Live Spirit: Live Body" (released 2002). Performed for the BBC's annual Children in Need charity event. [21 November 2003] Performed at the "46664" AIDS concert. [29 November 2003] He can play piano, keyboards, percussion, flute, recorder and harmonica. In 1999 he reunited with his former Genesis bandmates Phil Collins, Tony Banks, Michael Rutherford and Steve Hackett for a re-recording of the Genesis song "The Carpet Crawlers" (originally from their 1974 album "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway"), which appears on the Genesis compilation "Turn it on Again". 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. Presented with the Music Industry Trusts' Award for his outstanding contribution to the British music industry. [1 November 2004] His famous song "Solsbury Hill" talks about why he decided to leave Genesis while the band was growing at a fast rate. Though he left Genesis in 1975, he reunited with the band twice. Once in the early 80s for a special charity concert (Steve Hackett wasn't there) and in 1999 to record a song for a greatest hits collection. Steve Hackett was there for that reunion, making it the first time the original five performed together since 1975. Band mate, cousin, and best friend 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 "Don't Give Up" was covered in 2005 by Bono and Alicia Keys for the charity "Keep a Child Alive". His song "In Your Eyes" was covered by Darren Hayes. His song "Solsbury Hill" was covered by Erasure on their 2003 album "Other People's Songs". Winner of the 1987 British Phonographic Industry Award for British Male Solo Artist. Winner of the 1987 British Phonographic Industry Award for British Video for his song "Sledgehammer". Winner of the 1993 Brit Award for British Producer. Awarded the Frankfurt Music Prize in 2006. Winner of the Pioneer Award at the BT Digital Music Awards. [3rd October 2006]