Peter Gabriel

I have been a fan of Peter Gabriel ever since I heard the Lamb Lies Down on Broadway on a double cassette in 1988.  At the time, I was a huge Genesis fan and knew nothing about this album.  It didn't even have any liner notes and this was way before the age of the internet.  I remember listening to the album and thinking to myself:"Phil Collin's voice sounds really strange."  I had no idea who Peter Gabriel was because I had grown up in the period in which Phil Collins was the leader of Genesis.  I really liked "The Carpet Crawlers" and a few other tracks but couldn't really get into the album.

in 1987, I discovered the album SO.  I instantly became a fan and someone showed me the Peter Gabriel connection within Genesis.  It was the same thing with Steve Winwood and Traffic.  I knew the solo act, not the former group.  Thank God I knew that Paul McCartney was with the Beatles before he was with Wings!

I went away to college and came back that next summer and found the tapes in my dresser drawer.  In that last year, I had some major upheavals in my perception and revisited the album.  It completely "FLOORED" me.  I completely "got it".  I have been actively listening to it for the last 20+ years and it still amazes me.  As a keyboardist and drummer, it provides many musical moments that have become a part of my being.

Peter's musical sense is beautiful.  He is a vocalist, keyboardist, plays the flute, recorder, percussion and performer.  I am simply awed by the multidimensionality his music provides and the depth of concept he pursues.  I don't care that it is usually about a decade between albums these days.  It just shows that he wants it to be right, not rushed for the sake of producing a product.

The moment I will never forget was seeing him in 1994 in Dallas during the Secret World tour.  The concert was amazing and it was a dream to finally experience his music live.  10 years later, I had the chance to see him in Dallas again.  I was meeting a group of friends who had my ticket and accidentally ended up on the wrong side of the stadium.  I didn't want to miss the beginning so I hurried to get to the other end and while doing so, I noticed an opening in the wall surrounding the venue.  I glanced in and intuitively slowed down to witness Peter and the rest of the band coming out of the backstage door.  I made direct eye contact with him, smiled and waved.  What perfect timing.  I am sure I was one of tens of thousands but I will never forget that moment.

I have made a point of seeing all of the bands and musicians that have inspired me to play music.  So far, I have crossed many off the list and, in a handful of instances, have actually met my musical  heroes and thanked them for their music and creative inspiration.

One day, I would love to have a conversation with him face to face and just talk about creativity.