A TALK WITH PETER GABRIEL

Sept. 29, 2002 -- The 1970s saw the advent of what became known as "progressive rock" music. The decade also produced some pretty pretentious stuff: seemingly endless drum solos, pseudo-classical keyboards, pseudo-poetic lyrics sung by high-pitched singers. But a few individuals had a profound effect on the genre then, and now. Peter Gabriel, for instance. In the early incarnation of the group Genesis, his compositions, textured sounds, and onstage flamboyance turned the rock show into a sophisticated multimedia event.

In 1974, the ambitious two-record concept album, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway marked the creative zenith of Peter Gabriel's work with Genesis. Phil Collins would soon take over, because for Gabriel, it was time to move on.

Gabriel's solo career received much critical acclaim. Commercially, however, his output was spotty. By the mid-'80s he had success with "Shock The Monkey", but it was the No. 1 hit "Sledgehammer" that made him a superstar.

Gabriel was never satisfied with simple rock stardom, so he formed his own corporation. Real World is devoted to bridging the gap between high technology and multi-ethnic art. Musicians from remote parts of the world have spent time at his luxurious studio complex in Wiltshire, England. Human rights also became a personal crusade for Gabriel. His anti-apartheid song "Biko" became one of the biggest protest anthems of the 1980s.

It's been 10 years since Peter Gabriel recorded a studio album. Up was released this past week on Real World Records. True to form, Up is a global production, recorded in Senegal, France, and aboard a boat on the Amazon.

Gabriel sat down last week with Liane Hansen for Weekend Edition Sunday to talk about what he's been doing for the past 10 years, about the new album, and about jamming with apes.
FROM:http://www.npr.org/programs/wesun/features/2002/gabriel/index.html