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Peter Gabriel

Historical Figure

Peter Gabriel

b. 1950

British musician (born 1950)

Postwar

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Biography

Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, songwriter, musician, and human rights activist. He came to prominence as the original frontman of the rock band Genesis. He left the band in 1975 and launched his solo career with a hit debut single entitled "Solsbury Hill". After Gabriel released four successful studio albums, his fifth studio album, So (1986), became his best-selling release; it is certified triple platinum in the UK and five times platinum in the US. The album's most successful single, "Sledgehammer", won a record nine MTV Awards at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards. A 2011 Time report said "Sledgehammer" was the most played music video of all time on MTV.

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Timeline

The story of Peter Gabriel, told in moments.

1967 Event

Co-founded Genesis with schoolmates Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford. Gabriel's stage persona involved elaborate costumes. He'd shave the front of his head and dress as a flower or a fox.

1975 Life

Left Genesis. His daughter had been seriously ill. He wanted to be a full-time father. His first solo single, "Solsbury Hill," was about leaving the band.

1986 Event

Released So. "Sledgehammer" became the most-played music video in MTV history. The album sold over five million copies in the US alone.

1989 Life

Co-founded WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) and launched the human rights organization Witness, which gave video cameras to activists in conflict zones.

In Their Own Words (20)

The wretched desert takes its form, the jackal proud and tight.In search of you, I feel my way, through the slowest heaving night.Whatever fear invents, I swear it makes no sense.I reach through the border fence.Come down, come talk to me.

Come Talk to Me, 1992

And in this moment, I need to be needed.With this darkness all around me, I like to be liked.In this emptiness and fear, I want to be wanted.'Cause I love to be loved.I love to be loved.I love to be loved.Yes, I love to be loved.

Love to Be Loved, 1992

Shaking the Tree, written by Peter Gabriel and Youssou N'Dour

Translation: If we had known, if we only had known., 1990

There's nothing to gain when there's nothing to be lost.There's nothing to gain if you stay behind and count the cost.Make the decision that you can be who you can be,You can be.Tasting the fruit come to the Liberty Tree.

Shaking the Tree, 1990

Turning the tide, you are on the incoming wave.Turning the tide, you know you are nobody's slave.

Shaking the Tree, 1990

Artifacts (15)

Calculus of Fractions and Homotopy Theory

The main purpose of the present work is to present to the reader a particularly nice category for the study of homotopy, namely the homo- topic category (IV). This category is, in fact, - according to...

1967

The Riddle of Gravitation

Nonmathematical introduction to conceptual foundations of both Newton's and Einstein's theories of gravity features updated material on gravity waves, singularities, and other current topics. 88...

1992

Representations of Finite-Dimensional Algebras

From the reviews: "... [Gabriel and Roiter] are pioneers in this subject and they have included proofs for statements which in their opinions are elementary, those which will help further...

1997

Genesis: Chapter and Verse

The long-awaited, definitive story of one of the worlds most creative and commercial rock groups, this beautiful, full-color book coincides with the bands Fall 2007 reunion tour. All former band...

2007

Calculus of Fractions and Homotopy Theory

The main purpose of the present work is to present to the reader a particularly nice category for the study of homotopy, namely the homo topic category (IV). This category is, in fact, - according to...

2012

Introduction to the Theory of Relativity

This is a new release of the original 1946 edition.

2013

To the Republicans of Pennsylvania

1799

Basic Theories of Physics: Mechanics and Electrodynamics

1949

Basic Theories of Physics: Electrodynamics. Electrostatics and magnetostatics

1951

Basic Theories of Physics: Heat and Quanta

1951

A New Approach to Non-equilibrium Processes

1955

Introduction to the Theory of Relativity

1962

An Application of MOS Field-effect Transistors to RC Synthesis

1966

Him/her/self: Sex Roles in Modern America, Peter Gabriel Filene

1974

Albert Einstein: His Influence on Physics, Philosophy and Politics

1979

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