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.
