Peter Gabriel: Genesis of a Rock Star

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Academy of Achievement

Music, Sports, Arts, Self-help, Technology, Science, Humanitarian, Achievement, Film, Social Justice, Success, Society & Culture, Literature, Podcast, Politics, Military

4.6 • 943 Ratings

🗓️ 8 April 2019

⏱️ 57 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

"Sledgehammer," "In Your Eyes," and "Red Rain" are some of the hits that made Peter Gabriel a rock superstar in the 1970's and 80's. Before he became a solo artist, he was already a star -- as lead singer of the band Genesis. But somewhere along the way, Peter Gabriel also became a political activist, particularly after his song "Biko" became an anthem of the anti-Apartheid movement. Since then, he has devoted much of his time to creating two organizations dedicated to human rights, justice and peace… as well as a festival and record label that have given exposure to hundreds of artists from around the world. Gabriel talks in depth here about his multi-faceted career, and he shares his revelations about the nature of talent. (c ) American Academy of Achievement 2019

Transcript

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0:00.0	A lot of people want to be a rock star.
0:02.0	What does it feel to be a rock star and you look out and there's thousands of people
0:08.0	and they know every lyric and they're moving to your music.
0:11.0	What does that feel like?
0:12.0	Boy, it's a bit like, you know, a seven-year-old. and they're moving to your music. What does that feel like?
0:12.8	Well, it's a bit like, you know, a seven-year-old jumping on the table
0:16.1	and a family get together and showing off, you know,
0:20.9	but it's on a bigger scale.
0:23.7	But actually, I'm a real mixture between a show of extrovert
0:28.6	and a very shy person.
0:30.5	But when you feel the engagement and you feel the warmth of the people it's like nothing else.
0:37.0	It's an amazing and experience, great privilege.
0:41.0	The feeling is mutual, Peter Gabriel.
0:45.0	Speaking on behalf of rock fans, if I may.
0:48.0	I saw Peter Gabriel in concert in 1988,
0:51.0	and it was an amazing experience and a great privilege.
0:55.7	Gabriel was at the peak of his fame man.
0:58.1	He'd recently had huge hits off his album, so, including this one. The video for sledgehammer by the way still holds the record for
1:06.1	the number of mtev video awards nine
1:12.1	you could have a steam train.
1:13.0	If you don't lay down your tracks,
1:20.0	you could have an hair and be flying.
	...

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