I would have to say that Phil is a better musician than Peter. Phil, in his prime, was unquestionably one of the greatest drummers in the business and played with an incredibly diverse range of artists. Peter Gabriel, while a unique talent and a great brain, is not great at playing any instrument. He has even said "I'm not a good keyboard player, and I'm even worse on the guitar. In fact, I'm a terrible musician!" A bit harsh on himself, but he's honest about his limitations.
Peter Gabriel is such a gentleman. The question about Phil is stupid, but instead of just insulting Phil (a great friend of his), Peter gives a truthful and diplomatic response. A lot of Peter's fans who like to have a go at Phil could learn a lot from Peter's manners.
Just listen to a track from Passion and you'll know who has more artistic integrity and brilliance....in his pinkie finger, than all of genesis combined.
I hate people that create the illusion of Peter vs. Phil. If there was any division, it was Peter vs Genesis, and there was absolutely no "versus" at all. Phil Collins was only one of the many parts of the great magic that was Genesis, largely created also by Rutherford, Banks, and Hackett. And although Gabriel was a great part of Genesis and had a fantastic solo career, I'd take Genesis from trick of a tail to Duke any day. Also: fuck the stupid fucking interviewer asking stupid questions...
Peter gabriel didnt want to be phil collins. He just went solo. I still dont get that quote '' phil collins sounded more like peter gabriel than himself''
"...the band that brought us Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford."
I've always felt like Tony Banks has had some sort of problem with self-confidence since Peter left the band (drop me a PM if you want to hear my reasoning, there), I'm sure that was real beneficial.
"...unusual, certainly too unusual for mainstream success."
Oh, yeah, "Solsbury Hill" sounds like a regular John Zorn song.
3:27 "...rhythm is the spine of the music, and if you change the shape of the spine than the body that forms around it also changes." Real good quote.
But one musical ideal I have is probably closer to a jellyfish, or something between jellyfish and waterborne contortionist! (As a wave supports indefinite forms.) A whole herd journeying from ebbing tide to inner-held tsunami. - I don't say I've actually written such music! - Turbulences that ripples waters that are themselves largely still.
Great interview, I love his line about knowing when someone (a singer/artist) is going for your heart or your pocket. Brilliantly stated he is a genius and one of the greatest artists of our time. Thanks for posting!
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
I've never heard one decent piece of music from Peter Gabriel since he left Genesis. Sledgehammer was utterly aweful and I never saw any merit in it whatsoever. Years back I bought a CD of his - I played it once only - utter crap.
Gruntol - how in the world could you say "Sledgehammer was utterly aweful"? Sledgehammer is an AMAZING song with fantastic musicianship, extremely well-crafted lyrics and, of course, Peter's lively voice which compliments the music better than anyone else's ever could.
It would be one thing to say that you don't prefer the song and just move on, but I'm sorry - saying it is "utterly aweful" is appalling, to say the least. I'd like to know what you listen to.
Hello Dotty! I agree with your reply to Gruntol5 on the "Peter Gabriel 1986 Interview". I agree - Gruntol5 is WAY out of line! I think that quite a bit of Peter's music is pure genius. He's so innovative and he's not afraid to stick his neck out and experiment. Many of his songs are absolutely brilliant and extremely creative!! :)) Peace2U, Kim
You mustn't rustle PG fan. Most folks who are fans of his aren't really fans of Prog. I happen to love old genesis..and I can tolerate PG but not 80's genesis onward. Nor Phil Collins solo past "In the Air tonight". I'll acknowledge that I like the work he's done with Robert Fripp. But I can relate to what you say...There is something of a missing substance in his later stuff that was definitely there in the early years.
All I can say is that PG was simply marvellous in the early 1970's in Genesis, as singer, charismatic frontman, part-composer - and he was even stunning to look at. What I heard of his music subsequently left me cold. Stuck endlessly in prog? Maybe I am - but why eat potatoes when you can have caviar?
If you don't like any Peter's later stuff then the things you probably like in Genesis aren't Peter Gabriel...
That being said, the songs they play in this video are not good representations of his best solo stuff. Have you listened to "No Self Control"? In my opinion that's better than anything he ever contributed to Genesis... okay... maybe the melody for "The Carpet Crawlers."
You eat potatoes because even the finest caviar gets boring if that's all you eat...
Hi Mysterycat74 -- I agree with you. Peter is an AMAZING GENIUS!!! He's always been bold and innovative. He's not afraid to incorporate new and unusual elements in his music. Peace2U, Kim
I completely agree. Those who really study and understand music can easily distinguish the genius of Peter as apart from the popularity of Phil. Both talented, but Peter has the cutting edge depth.
Very sad news about Phil Collins, Do to a spinal injury he has announced that he will never drum again due to the extreme pain it causes him. He said he could not even hold his drum sticks anymore and that at one point he was taping them to his hands, just to get through a song. But we still have his wonderful voice. And Peter's
Peter Gabriel looks so young here. I love his straightforward sincerity. Peter is absolutely right. Him and Phil collins were definitely going down different paths. Personally, I think that going there own ways was for the best. They have completely different approaches to creating music. The world would not have all of the great songs that Peter Gabriel and Genesis (w/o Peter) made if they hadn't gone separate ways.
Thank God Peter Gabriel is Peter Gabriel!!
bangdaddy6913 3 months ago
I would have to say that Phil is a better musician than Peter. Phil, in his prime, was unquestionably one of the greatest drummers in the business and played with an incredibly diverse range of artists. Peter Gabriel, while a unique talent and a great brain, is not great at playing any instrument. He has even said "I'm not a good keyboard player, and I'm even worse on the guitar. In fact, I'm a terrible musician!" A bit harsh on himself, but he's honest about his limitations.
MALONEYCAMFIELD 4 months ago
@MALONEYCAMFIELD he's even said he thought Phil's singing is better than his own on their old songs =P
RectumPilum 2 months ago
Peter Gabriel is such a gentleman. The question about Phil is stupid, but instead of just insulting Phil (a great friend of his), Peter gives a truthful and diplomatic response. A lot of Peter's fans who like to have a go at Phil could learn a lot from Peter's manners.
MALONEYCAMFIELD 4 months ago
I am really glad that Peter Gabriel is Peter Gabriel and not Phil Collins.
grahamlaur 5 months ago
Comment removed
grahamlaur 5 months ago
Just listen to a track from Passion and you'll know who has more artistic integrity and brilliance....in his pinkie finger, than all of genesis combined.
quidseeker 6 months ago
"thats the group that has also given us phil collins, and mike rutherford.." what about tony banks?!?!
RonyBonyman 6 months ago
@RonyBonyman Tony Banks never had any hits outside the group, hence didn't become as famous as Phil and Mike. Same goes for Steve Hackett.
MALONEYCAMFIELD 4 months ago
I hate people that create the illusion of Peter vs. Phil. If there was any division, it was Peter vs Genesis, and there was absolutely no "versus" at all. Phil Collins was only one of the many parts of the great magic that was Genesis, largely created also by Rutherford, Banks, and Hackett. And although Gabriel was a great part of Genesis and had a fantastic solo career, I'd take Genesis from trick of a tail to Duke any day. Also: fuck the stupid fucking interviewer asking stupid questions...
KainHighwind19 10 months ago
Peter gabriel didnt want to be phil collins. He just went solo. I still dont get that quote '' phil collins sounded more like peter gabriel than himself''
jaggass 1 year ago 2
Peter Gabriel still sounds incredible at 60 years old!! :)
Go Peter Gabriel!! :)
ENCHANTEDsilkx 1 year ago 6
"...the band that brought us Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford."
I've always felt like Tony Banks has had some sort of problem with self-confidence since Peter left the band (drop me a PM if you want to hear my reasoning, there), I'm sure that was real beneficial.
"...unusual, certainly too unusual for mainstream success."
Oh, yeah, "Solsbury Hill" sounds like a regular John Zorn song.
SupperOfTheMightyOne 1 year ago
@SupperOfTheMightyOne
i'm interested in hearing about tony banks self-confidence problems. i wonder if its what i think. send me a message.
tranthu02 7 months ago
3:27 "...rhythm is the spine of the music, and if you change the shape of the spine than the body that forms around it also changes." Real good quote.
But one musical ideal I have is probably closer to a jellyfish, or something between jellyfish and waterborne contortionist! (As a wave supports indefinite forms.) A whole herd journeying from ebbing tide to inner-held tsunami. - I don't say I've actually written such music! - Turbulences that ripples waters that are themselves largely still.
marmas58ink 1 year ago
A whole herd... of spineless spastic mastadons! ... but graceful.
3:35 A few seconds there make you believe he could have been the next James Bond or Simon Templar.
marmas58ink 1 year ago
damn, it ended
hunkydorey2 1 year ago
Great interview, I love his line about knowing when someone (a singer/artist) is going for your heart or your pocket. Brilliantly stated he is a genius and one of the greatest artists of our time. Thanks for posting!
cardo1111 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I've never heard one decent piece of music from Peter Gabriel since he left Genesis. Sledgehammer was utterly aweful and I never saw any merit in it whatsoever. Years back I bought a CD of his - I played it once only - utter crap.
Gruntol5 2 years ago
wow
matthehat 2 years ago
I agree with matthehat. "Wow."
Gruntol - how in the world could you say "Sledgehammer was utterly aweful"? Sledgehammer is an AMAZING song with fantastic musicianship, extremely well-crafted lyrics and, of course, Peter's lively voice which compliments the music better than anyone else's ever could.
It would be one thing to say that you don't prefer the song and just move on, but I'm sorry - saying it is "utterly aweful" is appalling, to say the least. I'd like to know what you listen to.
DottyLomax 2 years ago 4
Hello Dotty! I agree with your reply to Gruntol5 on the "Peter Gabriel 1986 Interview". I agree - Gruntol5 is WAY out of line! I think that quite a bit of Peter's music is pure genius. He's so innovative and he's not afraid to stick his neck out and experiment. Many of his songs are absolutely brilliant and extremely creative!! :)) Peace2U, Kim
hojofan 2 years ago
You mustn't rustle PG fan. Most folks who are fans of his aren't really fans of Prog. I happen to love old genesis..and I can tolerate PG but not 80's genesis onward. Nor Phil Collins solo past "In the Air tonight". I'll acknowledge that I like the work he's done with Robert Fripp. But I can relate to what you say...There is something of a missing substance in his later stuff that was definitely there in the early years.
p717 2 years ago
All I can say is that PG was simply marvellous in the early 1970's in Genesis, as singer, charismatic frontman, part-composer - and he was even stunning to look at. What I heard of his music subsequently left me cold. Stuck endlessly in prog? Maybe I am - but why eat potatoes when you can have caviar?
Gruntol5 2 years ago
Because they taste good?
nfmccrina 2 years ago
amen.
TheDrunkenChildren 2 years ago
If you don't like any Peter's later stuff then the things you probably like in Genesis aren't Peter Gabriel...
That being said, the songs they play in this video are not good representations of his best solo stuff. Have you listened to "No Self Control"? In my opinion that's better than anything he ever contributed to Genesis... okay... maybe the melody for "The Carpet Crawlers."
You eat potatoes because even the finest caviar gets boring if that's all you eat...
athrough0 2 years ago
Great line.
You know when someone's gone for your heart and when they've gone for your pocket.
BevelBob 3 years ago 12
@BevelBob That was a great comeback,to a smirky question.
sandmoonrain 1 year ago
Ya- I agree with both of your comments- but the man sure is gracious about it and offers a positive point of view!
He really is under-sung in the Canadian media, which is a real shame considering his level of involvement in social movements.
But of course- the mainstream media ZOMBIES around here are more stoked about RETARDS!
dirkdoggler 3 years ago 3
"The man who could have been Phil Collins" -- what an insult!!
hojofan 3 years ago 22
Really,What an insulting Question!!
Don't think that was ever his goal.
sandmoonrain 3 years ago
I LIKE Phil Collins, but agree that was a totally insulting question! Phil is good, but Peter is an amazing genius!
Mysterycat74 2 years ago 19
Hi Mysterycat74 -- I agree with you. Peter is an AMAZING GENIUS!!! He's always been bold and innovative. He's not afraid to incorporate new and unusual elements in his music. Peace2U, Kim
hojofan 2 years ago 2
I completely agree. Those who really study and understand music can easily distinguish the genius of Peter as apart from the popularity of Phil. Both talented, but Peter has the cutting edge depth.
LegacyProductionsOrg 2 years ago 2
Very sad news about Phil Collins, Do to a spinal injury he has announced that he will never drum again due to the extreme pain it causes him. He said he could not even hold his drum sticks anymore and that at one point he was taping them to his hands, just to get through a song. But we still have his wonderful voice. And Peter's
videocircus 2 years ago
@videocircus Could you please elaborate on Phils spinal cord injury??? I hadn't heard this news..
CSXer 1 year ago
@hojofan if insult means compliment.
rwk1983 1 year ago
Peter Gabriel looks so young here. I love his straightforward sincerity. Peter is absolutely right. Him and Phil collins were definitely going down different paths. Personally, I think that going there own ways was for the best. They have completely different approaches to creating music. The world would not have all of the great songs that Peter Gabriel and Genesis (w/o Peter) made if they hadn't gone separate ways.
hojofan 3 years ago 5