Peter Gabriel | |
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Gabriel in January 2011
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Background information | |
Birth name | Peter Brian Gabriel |
Born |
Chobham, Surrey, England |
13 February 1950
Origin | Godalming, Surrey, England |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Singer, musician, songwriter, record producer, humanitarian |
Instruments | |
Years active | 1967–present |
Labels | Atco, Atlantic, Geffen, Mercury, Real World, Republic, Charisma/Virgin/Virgin EMI/Universal |
Associated acts | Genesis, Kate Bush, Sting, Cat Stevens, Robert Fripp |
Website | petergabriel |
Peter Brian Gabriel (born 13 February 1950) is an English singer-songwriter, musician, songwriter, record producer and humanitarian who rose to fame as the original lead singer and flautist of the progressive rock band Genesis. After leaving Genesis in 1975, Gabriel launched a solo career with "Solsbury Hill" as his first single. His 1986 album, So, is his best-selling release and is certified triple platinum in the UK and five times platinum in the U.S. The album's most successful single, "Sledgehammer", won a record nine MTV Awards at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards and remains the most played music video in the history of MTV.
Gabriel has been a champion of world music for much of his career. He co-founded the WOMAD festival in 1982. He has continued to focus on producing and promoting world music through his Real World Records label. He has also pioneered digital distribution methods for music, co-founding OD2, one of the first online music download services. Gabriel has also been involved in numerous humanitarian efforts. In 1980, he released the anti-apartheid single "Biko". He has participated in several human rights benefit concerts, including Amnesty International's Human Rights Now! tour in 1988, and co-founded the Witness human rights organisation in 1992. Gabriel developed The Elders with Richard Branson, which was launched by Nelson Mandela in 2007.