He left one of the biggest progressive rock bands in the world to make stranger, braver records. By 1986, Peter Gabriel had the most-talked-about video on MTV and a number one with “Sledgehammer”.
Leaving Genesis
Gabriel fronted Genesis from 1967 to 1975, with costumes, stories and a voice that made them one of Britain’s most influential rock bands. Then he walked away. His first solo album, Peter Gabriel (1977), known to fans as “Car” for its cover, opened with the feeling of that decision: “Solsbury Hill”.
Four albums called Peter Gabriel
The next three were all called Peter Gabriel too, so fans named them “Scratch” (1978), “Melt” (1980) and “Security” (1982). They experimented with drum machines, the Fairlight synthesizer and rhythms from around the world. “Games Without Frontiers”, with Kate Bush on backing vocals, and “Biko” made “Melt” a landmark, and “Shock the Monkey” followed. This is where Gabriel’s world and new wave’s overlap.
So, 1986
So made him a superstar: “Sledgehammer”, “In Your Eyes”, “Big Time”, “Red Rain” and “Don’t Give Up” with Kate Bush. The stop-motion video for “Sledgehammer” won a record number of MTV Video Music Awards and changed what a music video could be.
Is Peter Gabriel new wave?
Not strictly. Peter Gabriel came from progressive rock, but his early-’80s solo records used the same synthesizers, drum machines and experiments as new wave and post-punk, and they were played alongside them. He’s an art-rock artist with strong ties to new wave.
Real World and beyond
Gabriel founded the WOMAD festival, the Real World label and Real World Studios, bringing artists from around the world to new audiences. He kept making records on his own schedule: Us (1992), Up (2002) and i/o (2023). He entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Genesis in 2010 and as a solo artist in 2014, and won the Polar Music Prize in 2009.
Peter Gabriel by the numbers
- More than 25 million solo albums sold worldwide
- Multiple Grammy and Brit Awards
- Two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions
The essential Peter Gabriel songs
“Solsbury Hill” · “Here Comes the Flood” · “Games Without Frontiers” · “Biko” · “Shock the Monkey” · “San Jacinto” · “Sledgehammer” · “In Your Eyes” · “Big Time” · “Red Rain” · “Don’t Give Up” (with Kate Bush) · “Mercy Street” · “Digging in the Dirt” · “Steam”
The essential albums
Peter Gabriel (“Car”, 1977) · “Scratch” (1978) · “Melt” (1980) · “Security” (1982) · So (1986) · Us (1992) · Up (2002) · i/o (2023)
New to Peter Gabriel? Start here
“Melt” first: it’s the one that sits closest to new wave. Then So. Save “Mercy Street” for a late night.
Like Peter Gabriel? Try these next
- Kate Bush: theatrical, groundbreaking and his duet partner
- David Bowie: constant reinvention across rock and new wave
- Talking Heads: world rhythms, funk and art rock
- Bryan Ferry: art-pop elegance from Roxy Music
- Simple Minds: atmospheric, arena-sized new wave
- Tears for Fears: big ideas and lush production
- Talk Talk: synth-pop turned art rock
Hear Peter Gabriel on New Wave Radio
Request “Games Without Frontiers” and listen for Kate Bush in the chorus.
Official links: petergabriel.com · Facebook · Instagram · YouTube · Spotify
