Because PG loves you, too. Ssh, Listen...
--From Alain, an outstanding citizen from France--
'cos in 1972 I saw him at the Olympia Paris with Genesis and the
dream never stopped since I saw batwings and masks.Thanks Peter
for your Secret World...
Thank you Alain! As the first contributor, in our eyes, you
are a hero!
Another entry! By an annonymous contributor:
Pete's just darn cool.
And from the Renaissance woman of the WWW, Mary Parks:
Il giorno verra' quando fisseremo negli occhi e prenderemo lo
stesso respiro. L'aspettero'.
Jake Hirsch sent us this reason:
Passionx30
Exerpted from a letter Jeff wrote:
I once read this in Rolling Stone but it is absolutely true. "You
don't just hear a Peter Gabriel song, you feel it." Other
artists make good music, but there's just something about Peter's
music that gets to me. It's hard to explain, but I just have this
connection to it...
Ken A. Bugajski wrote (and gets bonus points for including
a lyric in his entry):
As for the assignment, Why do I like Peter Gabriel? Because there
is hardly a song of his I can listen to without at one time or
another having a moment of forgetting, a moment of bliss.
Someone wrote showing concern of what the side effects of this
homepage might have on PG:
i'll concede he's darn good, but let's not give him a big head,
now, hmm?
Patricia from Switzerland gave us this reason: Well, what
I like about PG is that although he's big (I mean artistically)
and perfectly conscious of being big, he is constantly renewing
his creativity and experience. There's just no limit to Peter
Gabriel.
An exceptional exerpt from a letter Craig wrote us: I really
think it's the sense of emotional urgency in his music that draws
me to him. I can hardly listen to lyrics like "I come to
you defenses down with the trust of a child" or "it's
only in uncertainty that we're naked and alive" and not be
just a bit torn apart.
And Kali says:
Any man who pretends to be a flower and mows the stage is my kind
of guy....
Somebody with an AOL account and belongs on our "Hey Jelousy"
list has this to say:I met him in a hotel during the
SWorld tour while I was at the bar post concert--he was talking
to an old couple from some place who didnt even know PG--a few
more drinks and I had the nerve to say hi and we shook hands and
spoke for a few moments--he's very real and down to earth even
though I've worshipped him since I was 14 (i'm 23 now) keep up
the good work!
And Barbara has this to say: I am grateful for Peter Gabriel's
existence. His music sings to me of what I most need to remember:
the deeply spiritual, sexual, passionate, joyous connection I
have with life.
Thank you god/universe/fate, whatever you want to call it. Thank
you, Peter Gabriel.
And Lith has this stuff to say: I like Pete because he
is sSooo much fun to draw! He looks Cool! And well, also he's
a great musician and stuff.
TPRINCI wrote this lovely poem: Gabriel Opens Doors
a savior
and inspiration to me
carrying me through another day
closing my eyes to feel him
It hurts and
It heals
Shannon has this oh-so-true statement to say why she loves
PG
Because he's a kind of short, average-looking guy, with a raspy voice, who's getting on in years, who manages to write FABULOUS songs, sing them with more passion than an orgasm, make that raspy voice a feature rather than a bug, make himself handsome simply by being himself and enjoying it, and continues to produce new-sounding music and videos when most people are thinking of that Princess cruise to the Carribean. He gives hope to all ordinary people that they can make themselves extraordinary through sheer passion.
Kristen wrote us to say this:
I just want to say that "In Your Eyes" is one of the
best songs I have ever heard. It was our prom song in 1993. Every
time I hear it, I have to turn it up very loud. I do this so I
can feel the music surround me. It feels wonderful. It also makes
me cry, because it's so beautiful.
I don't care what anyone says, even if PG is only 4 yrs. younger than my parents, he is still sexy as hell.
And from Michael: Greetings Solsbury Hill:
Peter Gabriel has done more for my life than any other human being on earth. I am a musician and song writer, having been playing percussion and various wind instruments for about ten years. I first took notice of his incredible work with the release of "Passion: The Last Temptation of Christ" after seeing the film during its short run in NYC. Since then, my entire outlook on music has taken an amazing turn of events. That one recording has opened up my mind to a world of music that I had never imagined existed, and I now, as an education student, volunteering in relief programs each summer visiting nations, cultures and people around the world and collaborating with musicians of beautiful ethnic backgrounds, would like to thank Peter for opening the doors of respect and admiration of humankind for me.
Michael
And there's this long exerpt from a dedicated Canadian fan
named Marc-Andre Beaudry:
As a performer I've seen him 4 times (78, 82, 86, 93)and the guy
is simply outstanding. He's got so much energy, charisma, subtlety,
that you can't find on any other performer that come close to
him, and I've seen many different artists. His lyrics are always
subtle and profound, having sometimes three to four levels of
depths, he plays with words like a poet, and he sings with all
his emotions, sometimes joyfully, sometimes gutsy, sometimes fighting
for his life (Supper's ready, Mercy Street).
The videos he has produced (Sledgehammer, Shock the Monkey, Big
time Steam, etc) abound with new ideas that other artists copy
or are simply unable to come up with. His SW Tour will be difficult
to match for any rock stars, not in the moneybut in the delivery
and intelligence.
For all these reasons, Gabriel The Archangel has been my idol
for a long time and I wish him the best because he has given me
so many good time.
Thank you!
From TargemQ8:
WHY I LOVE PETER GABRIEL (the Gabatollah!) Peter Gabriel's music
moves me. It makes me want to dance, to read a book, sing really
loud, tell someone how I feel about them ("i love to be loved...."
"This time, you've gone too far!") be myself, change,
dress up, stay down, go out, hide away..... When I go someplace
unfamiliar, or I'm nervous, or when I have to do something I'd
rather not, I listen to a well- worn Gabriel tape.
From Becca: I have three reasons for thinking that Peter
Gabriel is the greatest:
1) No one else can sing the word "hey" in so many cool
ways.
2) That "Oooo" sound he makes in "Big Time"
right after the lyrics, "And I will kneal in the big church."
3) That wildebeest sound at the beginning of "A Different
Drum" on Passion --whatever it is, it is without a doubt
the coolest sound I have ever heard.
Vincent says why it's great to love PG whilst being French:
- PG speaks (some) French - I will try to send you a couple of
WAV files just to check for yourself, if you want
- We can understand everything Youssou N'Dour says when he speaks
french (i.e. in seven seconds)
- Papa Wemba lives here
- Geoffrey Oryema lives here (in fact he lives in Normandy rather
close to me)
- Manu Katché lives here
- Sophie Duez (Manu Katché's wife) is french and is a gorgeous
actress (did you ever see her in a movie? you can see her briefly
in POV).
- We can take a train to Barcelona and visit the theme park every
weekend (what do you say? it's not opened yet?)
- Bath is rather close to here
Anja says it short and sweet: He's so erotic;-) Tell me one reason not to love him!
Soleil has, much like a new Dave Matthews song, has "So
Much to Say" Why do I love Peter Gabriel? Hmm...this
will require more coffee. Ah, yes, that's better...now, let's
see...
I absolutely, passionately adore Peter Gabriel for many, many
reasons, a few of which I'll mention here, ad nauseum...
Peter sings what is in my head, and speaks the language of my
heart, and after all, isn't that the true appeal of music? He's
been blessed with the gift of creating exquisite beauty from great
pain, and composes with powerful sensitivity and artistry...his
"womanly side" is very well developed! His music never
fails to profoundly move me (unless, of course, it's a tune like
"Steam"...then I just get up and boogie down, man!)
I have much respect and admiration for his lyrical wit, intelligence,
eccentricity (I'm pretty eccentric myself...up here in Maine,
though, people just think I'm "wee-uhd"), and passion
and devotion to his art. Peter's a true Renaissance man...a multi-talented
musician, consummate performer, and visionary. He's also has the
most captivating eyes and radiant smile, is the hottest thing
around in spandex trousers, and can shake his bootie with the
best of them ("Secret World Live" video owners...try
slow framing P.G. during "Steam", when Peter is singing
the lyrics, "You know your stripper from your paint"...truly
awe-inspiring hip action, and is that a flashlight in his pants
or what?)
Peter never compromises the integrity of his music...if a Top
40 hit like "Sledgehammer" comes along, it's very well
crafted, and it is accompanied by extremely wonderful music that
is definitely left of mainstream. For every "Steam",
there is a "Blood of Eden", and much more. Right on,
brother!
I am delighted that the man helped to form WOMAD and RealWorld!
He's helping many talented artists get the break they deserve,
i.e. Paula Cole, too!
P.G.'s music makes you think as well as feel. Thanks to him, I
have awakened to Carl Jung (thanks to Sting, too), Stephen Biko
and Black Consciousness, Amnesty International, Anne Sexton's
poetry, and the brilliant but completely amoral and unethical
psychologist Milgram ("So" - 'We do What We're Told'
Milgram's 37).Fascinating reading about this crazy bastard...can
only be grateful he's not around today...Newt Gingrich would hire
him in a heartbeat, fascist anti-Christ that he is!
You gotta love a guy who'll lie for days at a time in rotting
vegetation and let giant snails "with teeth like sandpaper
that move like a chainsaw and literally rip into flesh" slither
all over his face without batting an eye, all for the sake of
a 5 minute music video! Hell, I'd give him the "Best short-form
Video" Grammy just for tolerating the maggots! The delightful
man will do anything for art...he did look quite lovely as a daffodil!
Peter has suffered, paid his dues, and has grown older beautifully,
both artistically and personally. Time has softened the rough
edges, but the silvering hair and the lines on his face (which
are a work of art, carved by a sweet, loving sculptor) speak of
the difficult lessons he has learned. I feel infinite tenderness
for him for this reason, for I too have suffered, and grown, and
have found self-acceptance and serenity. It takes a great deal
of courage to learn from pain, and not let it break you, but it
is worth it. Maturity suits you well, Peter; I hope you continue
to see yourself through the eyes of those who love you.
Oh,oh, I'm out of coffee, it's 11pm, and I have just encountered
a major brain fart, so I gotta go!
Laura Moss has this inspiring thing to say: Peter Gabriel... Not Just For Breakfast Anymore! - Peter Gabriel is more than just a rock star, he is a roll model. While everyone else in the rock world is on the road to burn out he consistently treats his fans to new, creative music and pushes the envelope of what most listeners find safe and acceptable. No mindless retreads here... Pete writes a damn fine tune. In addition to his talent, this man is bless with an enormous gift of compassion and spirit. He doesn't just hop on the bandwagon for "cause of the week." He is to be admired for his deeply held and nobel convictions. Yeah... he belongs on cereal boxes across America and the White House too! PG for President!!!
To be continued...