May 21, 2021 • 15 mins
Chris Martin of Coldplay is honored to induct his hero, with a speech that gives both humor and sincerity. He relays a personal story about how his cassette copy of the Gabriel album Us took him on a journey and into a lifelong love of Peter’s music. Gabriel shares a potent message for young musicians - Dream Big and surround yourself with brilliance.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
M Welcome to Induction Vault, a production of I Heart
Radio and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Reseet
your seats, We're gonna get started. Progressive, exuberant intellectual Peter
(00:33):
Gabriel has truly taken music to new heights. Chris Martin
of Coldplay is honored to induct his hero and starts
things off by opening a small book, claiming he's following
his mother's advice to always look to the Bible. But
as soon as he says that he wants to read
from the Book of Genesis, he then relays a personal
story about how his bassette copy of the Gabriel album
(00:53):
US took him on a journey and into a lifelong
love of Peter's music. Peter accepts the honor by holding
the statue up above his head, slightly reminiscent of John
Cusack's pose and say anything when his characters so famously
blasted in your eyes from his radio, Gabriel shares a
(01:14):
potent message for young musicians, dream big and surround yourself
with brilliance. He cautions that music can be so powerful
that it might actually make you think that the world
could and should be a much better place. Hi, everybody,
(01:42):
I'm cool, Chris, I'm in a banquet, Coplay and uh,
I'm very thrilled to be here to induct Peter Gabriel
into the Hall of Fame. I am. I didn't know
how to start my speech, so I remember that as
a kid, my mom said, always turned to the Bible
(02:04):
for guidance, and so with that, I'd like to read
you from the Book of Genesis. If that's okay. H
m hmm, this is serious. It came to pass at
that time that an angel of the Lord descended and
appeared before Phil the Collins. And Phil the Collins said
(02:29):
unto him, who are you, oh angel? And the angel replied,
I am Gabriel. H okay, so I'm Gabriel. I bring
you this good news. I am going solo ye ye
(02:55):
shall be the singer of Genesis now. And thee it
was called Collins, was awe struck in the presence of
the voice of the angel and replied, how can this be,
o Angel? I am but a humble drummer. I can't dance,
I can't talk. The only thing about me is the
way I walk. The angel replied Phil of Collins. The
(03:22):
Lord has spoke and have faith. He could lay down
a steam No, he could have a steam train if
you just lay down the tracks. Now hasten to the
studio and well it's a little trooper, okay, all right?
(03:44):
And with that and with that, and with that, the
angel Gabriel ascended up Salisbury Hill and was taken up
into the Hall of Fame and low, a miracle had occurred.
And that's a true story, and so there we go. Um.
(04:04):
I personally started to love Peter Gabriel's music when I
was a schoolboy, and I went to Paris and bought
the album Us on a cassette tape, which those of
you over seventy will remember. Um. I put it in
my walkman, and I tried to walk back to where
I was staying, but I went the wrong way and
got lost for a day in Paris with just me
and that album, and I fell in love with it
(04:26):
and eventually got picked up by the police. But I
was a true fan, and so after that I learned
as much as I could about him. This was pre Wikipedia,
so it was a lot harder. Um. After leaving Genesis,
Peter recorded a number of albums, starting with Peter Gabriel
self titled album He followed that, thank you. Um. He
(04:49):
followed that with Peter Gabriel the self titled album, and
then followed that with the Unforgettable Peter Gabriel the eponymous
album and it's follow up, Peter Gabriel. His label said, Peter,
is there any way you would give us another title?
They've all got the same one, And like a petulant
(05:11):
teacher teenager, like a petulant teenager, he said so and
they said that's perfect, and uh and and and he
said that and they said that's perfect. And he turned
into a superstar just with two little letters. I wish
it was that easy for the rest of us. Uh.
(05:33):
He did two week long video shoots, which every front
man will tell you is a heroic effort, you know,
put in perspective and please, could you scored a little faster?
Thank you? Although I did write this, I promise, I
wrote it yesterday, but they said I had to put
it on the thing. I also have it here that
I did. I did, I promised, okay um And so
(05:57):
that was heroic. After that, he continued to write the
brilliant songs is too many to mention My favorite Sobiko
Salisbury Hill, in your Eyes and the Washing of the
Water is my favorite UM in the years since. So
he's given us us and up and scratch my back
and I'll scratch yours new blood. Many soundtracks, Birdie, The
(06:21):
Last Temptation of Christ and ovo Um. At times it
feels like he releases music at snails pace. UM. But
one this, I say this in seriousness, looks back now
and sees this amazing cathedral of song and it was
worth the effort and the time it took. Why do
people like me? Yeah? Yeah, I was thinking on the airplane.
(06:51):
Why do Peter Gabriel Fans like myself love his music?
It's of course his voice, his powerful and hard hitting lyrics,
sometimes protesting like in Beko, sometimes reassuring like and don't
give up, and sometimes just based on powerful construction tools
like sledge hammer. And he brings together sounds from all
(07:15):
over the world. His ears are global. He's brought us
great He's brought to our attention great artists like using
the Door and the wonderful drummer man who Catchet, who
were going to see tonight. He's always been an innovator
and a seeker. He was at the forefront of the
digital revolution. He started a great label and studio called
Real World, and he's found gems from all over the
(07:36):
world to share with us. He's a curator and an inspirer.
He helped John Cusack get his girlfriend back in the
movie say anything like that? Um, what else might you
not know? He's repopularized the goatee. He's very funny, He's
deeply conscientious. He's a humanitarian. He plays the flute. He
(07:58):
used to shave his head just on the top, which
is brave by anyone standards. He comes from the beautiful
West Country of England like I do, where he pioneered
the school of dance called English and Choreographed, which I'm
a proud graduate of along with Tom Yawk. It means
that you just do what you like and don't mind
if you look silly. And thank you Peter for giving
(08:19):
us that gift. I feel so grateful that I found
that cassette tape twenty one years ago, and it's any
time of the the week I would happily get lost
with his music. It's my great honor and pleasure to
induct into the Hall of Fame. Be the game room.
(08:40):
After the break, we'll hear the acceptance speech of ear
Gabriel on the Rock and Hall Hall of Fame Induction vault. Yea,
(09:01):
he's been Chris has been working as a stand up comic.
But well, thank you so much for those kind words.
It means it means a great deal that you're doing
this for me. Thank you. There's a great songwriter here.
(09:29):
I also wanted to acknowledge a much appreciated, many times nominated,
but not yet inducted musician I had up on the
stage with me, Leon no Centelli, from the Meters. So
(09:50):
I saved up all my pocket money to buy my
first beaten up old tom tom. I think it was
about seven pounds it costs me. And to hold this
thing in my hands was the key to another world,
and I had no idea then that it might lead
me here today. I never actually made it as a drummer.
I was full of enthusiasm but not a whole lot
(10:12):
of talent. But I snuck in here anyway. So I
would say to all those people now at the start
of that journey, but if you're exploring making music and
looking at us old timers getting our decorations, I'd say
two things, dream big and let your imagination guide you.
(10:33):
Even if you end up dressing as a flower or
sexually transmitted disease. They they may think it's a little strange,
they may laugh at you, but just do it. And secondly,
surround yourself with brilliance, the brilliance of those you love
being around, and the brilliance of their talent. I worked
(10:54):
with so many amazing people through these years, and you
can see from the musicians I have on the stage
with me, I'm surrounded by great and have always been
by great musicians, UM, including some of the world's greatest drummers,
which as an aspiring drummer has been a real thrill. Uh.
(11:15):
But particularly from the beginning of my solo work. You
know a man who sadly couldn't be with me tonight,
but um has been deputized by the legendary Pino Palladino.
But Tony Levin I wanted to mention Mhm, David. David
(11:36):
Rhodes has been with me in the album process for
so long too. On a guitar, Uh, you've got the
amazing Nanocatche and David Sanctius. Yet tonight we borrowed Mino
Sinel and we have a wonderful vocalist, Jenny Abrahamson has
been out touring with me. I also have had the
(12:01):
great fortune to work with extraordinary engineers and producers, because
they can make you sound good and they give you
a boot up the backside when you need it and
make sure they squeeze as much juice out of you
as as you can get. I've gotten an extraordinarily dedicated
and loyal group of people who represent me and have
(12:21):
worked with me for many years. In the management team, agents,
record company folks, and all the many talented folks that
it takes to put a tour together. We have had
for years and years an extraordinary crew who will do
anything to get our show up and running and whatever
it takes. But so to all those people, I definitely
(12:46):
wouldn't be here without all of the work you've done,
and I really appreciate it. But in the end, the
core of what you are and where you are is
where your heart is, and and it's those who you
love um and who love you. So I want to
thank especially my dad for teaching me about the power
(13:08):
of ideas, imagination and science, and my mom who told
me about music and compassion. My amazing kids, two of
whom are here tonight. The others in the business of
having babies or grandchildren for me that they inspire inspire
(13:28):
me and made me very proud. And and I now
have two grandchildren. And most of all, the person who
has to suffer the most for the life that I've chosen,
my incredible wife may have who has given me an
extraordinary life. I love you so much. Watch out for music.
(13:57):
It should come with a health warning. It can be dangerous.
It can make you feel so alive, so connected to
the people all around you. I'm connected to what you
really are inside, and it can make you think the
world should and could be a much better place, and
(14:18):
just occasionally it can make you very very happy. Thank
you so much. Thanks for joining us on this week's
(14:46):
episode of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Vault.
For more on your favorite inductees, to shop inductee merch
or to plan your trip to the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame, visit rock hall dot com plus Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions special on demand on
HBO Max. Our executive producers are Noel Brown, Shelby Morrison,
(15:06):
and Esa Gurkey. Supervising producer is Taylor shakogn Research and
Archival assistants from Isabelle Keeper and Shannon Herb. Thanks again
for joining us on this week's episode of Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame Induction Vall. Induction Ball is a
production of I Heart Radio in the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame. For more podcasts from I heart Radio,
(15:31):
visit the i heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever
you get your favorite podcasts.
M Welcome to Induction Vault, a production of I Heart
Radio and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Reseet
your seats, We're gonna get started. Progressive, exuberant intellectual Peter
(00:33):
Gabriel has truly taken music to new heights. Chris Martin
of Coldplay is honored to induct his hero and starts
things off by opening a small book, claiming he's following
his mother's advice to always look to the Bible. But
as soon as he says that he wants to read
from the Book of Genesis, he then relays a personal
story about how his bassette copy of the Gabriel album
(00:53):
US took him on a journey and into a lifelong
love of Peter's music. Peter accepts the honor by holding
the statue up above his head, slightly reminiscent of John
Cusack's pose and say anything when his characters so famously
blasted in your eyes from his radio, Gabriel shares a
(01:14):
potent message for young musicians, dream big and surround yourself
with brilliance. He cautions that music can be so powerful
that it might actually make you think that the world
could and should be a much better place. Hi, everybody,
(01:42):
I'm cool, Chris, I'm in a banquet, Coplay and uh,
I'm very thrilled to be here to induct Peter Gabriel
into the Hall of Fame. I am. I didn't know
how to start my speech, so I remember that as
a kid, my mom said, always turned to the Bible
(02:04):
for guidance, and so with that, I'd like to read
you from the Book of Genesis. If that's okay. H
m hmm, this is serious. It came to pass at
that time that an angel of the Lord descended and
appeared before Phil the Collins. And Phil the Collins said
(02:29):
unto him, who are you, oh angel? And the angel replied,
I am Gabriel. H okay, so I'm Gabriel. I bring
you this good news. I am going solo ye ye
(02:55):
shall be the singer of Genesis now. And thee it
was called Collins, was awe struck in the presence of
the voice of the angel and replied, how can this be,
o Angel? I am but a humble drummer. I can't dance,
I can't talk. The only thing about me is the
way I walk. The angel replied Phil of Collins. The
(03:22):
Lord has spoke and have faith. He could lay down
a steam No, he could have a steam train if
you just lay down the tracks. Now hasten to the
studio and well it's a little trooper, okay, all right?
(03:44):
And with that and with that, and with that, the
angel Gabriel ascended up Salisbury Hill and was taken up
into the Hall of Fame and low, a miracle had occurred.
And that's a true story, and so there we go. Um.
(04:04):
I personally started to love Peter Gabriel's music when I
was a schoolboy, and I went to Paris and bought
the album Us on a cassette tape, which those of
you over seventy will remember. Um. I put it in
my walkman, and I tried to walk back to where
I was staying, but I went the wrong way and
got lost for a day in Paris with just me
and that album, and I fell in love with it
(04:26):
and eventually got picked up by the police. But I
was a true fan, and so after that I learned
as much as I could about him. This was pre Wikipedia,
so it was a lot harder. Um. After leaving Genesis,
Peter recorded a number of albums, starting with Peter Gabriel
self titled album He followed that, thank you. Um. He
(04:49):
followed that with Peter Gabriel the self titled album, and
then followed that with the Unforgettable Peter Gabriel the eponymous
album and it's follow up, Peter Gabriel. His label said, Peter,
is there any way you would give us another title?
They've all got the same one, And like a petulant
(05:11):
teacher teenager, like a petulant teenager, he said so and
they said that's perfect, and uh and and and he
said that and they said that's perfect. And he turned
into a superstar just with two little letters. I wish
it was that easy for the rest of us. Uh.
(05:33):
He did two week long video shoots, which every front
man will tell you is a heroic effort, you know,
put in perspective and please, could you scored a little faster?
Thank you? Although I did write this, I promise, I
wrote it yesterday, but they said I had to put
it on the thing. I also have it here that
I did. I did, I promised, okay um And so
(05:57):
that was heroic. After that, he continued to write the
brilliant songs is too many to mention My favorite Sobiko
Salisbury Hill, in your Eyes and the Washing of the
Water is my favorite UM in the years since. So
he's given us us and up and scratch my back
and I'll scratch yours new blood. Many soundtracks, Birdie, The
(06:21):
Last Temptation of Christ and ovo Um. At times it
feels like he releases music at snails pace. UM. But
one this, I say this in seriousness, looks back now
and sees this amazing cathedral of song and it was
worth the effort and the time it took. Why do
people like me? Yeah? Yeah, I was thinking on the airplane.
(06:51):
Why do Peter Gabriel Fans like myself love his music?
It's of course his voice, his powerful and hard hitting lyrics,
sometimes protesting like in Beko, sometimes reassuring like and don't
give up, and sometimes just based on powerful construction tools
like sledge hammer. And he brings together sounds from all
(07:15):
over the world. His ears are global. He's brought us
great He's brought to our attention great artists like using
the Door and the wonderful drummer man who Catchet, who
were going to see tonight. He's always been an innovator
and a seeker. He was at the forefront of the
digital revolution. He started a great label and studio called
Real World, and he's found gems from all over the
(07:36):
world to share with us. He's a curator and an inspirer.
He helped John Cusack get his girlfriend back in the
movie say anything like that? Um, what else might you
not know? He's repopularized the goatee. He's very funny, He's
deeply conscientious. He's a humanitarian. He plays the flute. He
(07:58):
used to shave his head just on the top, which
is brave by anyone standards. He comes from the beautiful
West Country of England like I do, where he pioneered
the school of dance called English and Choreographed, which I'm
a proud graduate of along with Tom Yawk. It means
that you just do what you like and don't mind
if you look silly. And thank you Peter for giving
(08:19):
us that gift. I feel so grateful that I found
that cassette tape twenty one years ago, and it's any
time of the the week I would happily get lost
with his music. It's my great honor and pleasure to
induct into the Hall of Fame. Be the game room.
(08:40):
After the break, we'll hear the acceptance speech of ear
Gabriel on the Rock and Hall Hall of Fame Induction vault. Yea,
(09:01):
he's been Chris has been working as a stand up comic.
But well, thank you so much for those kind words.
It means it means a great deal that you're doing
this for me. Thank you. There's a great songwriter here.
(09:29):
I also wanted to acknowledge a much appreciated, many times nominated,
but not yet inducted musician I had up on the
stage with me, Leon no Centelli, from the Meters. So
(09:50):
I saved up all my pocket money to buy my
first beaten up old tom tom. I think it was
about seven pounds it costs me. And to hold this
thing in my hands was the key to another world,
and I had no idea then that it might lead
me here today. I never actually made it as a drummer.
I was full of enthusiasm but not a whole lot
(10:12):
of talent. But I snuck in here anyway. So I
would say to all those people now at the start
of that journey, but if you're exploring making music and
looking at us old timers getting our decorations, I'd say
two things, dream big and let your imagination guide you.
(10:33):
Even if you end up dressing as a flower or
sexually transmitted disease. They they may think it's a little strange,
they may laugh at you, but just do it. And secondly,
surround yourself with brilliance, the brilliance of those you love
being around, and the brilliance of their talent. I worked
(10:54):
with so many amazing people through these years, and you
can see from the musicians I have on the stage
with me, I'm surrounded by great and have always been
by great musicians, UM, including some of the world's greatest drummers,
which as an aspiring drummer has been a real thrill. Uh.
(11:15):
But particularly from the beginning of my solo work. You
know a man who sadly couldn't be with me tonight,
but um has been deputized by the legendary Pino Palladino.
But Tony Levin I wanted to mention Mhm, David. David
(11:36):
Rhodes has been with me in the album process for
so long too. On a guitar, Uh, you've got the
amazing Nanocatche and David Sanctius. Yet tonight we borrowed Mino
Sinel and we have a wonderful vocalist, Jenny Abrahamson has
been out touring with me. I also have had the
(12:01):
great fortune to work with extraordinary engineers and producers, because
they can make you sound good and they give you
a boot up the backside when you need it and
make sure they squeeze as much juice out of you
as as you can get. I've gotten an extraordinarily dedicated
and loyal group of people who represent me and have
(12:21):
worked with me for many years. In the management team, agents,
record company folks, and all the many talented folks that
it takes to put a tour together. We have had
for years and years an extraordinary crew who will do
anything to get our show up and running and whatever
it takes. But so to all those people, I definitely
(12:46):
wouldn't be here without all of the work you've done,
and I really appreciate it. But in the end, the
core of what you are and where you are is
where your heart is, and and it's those who you
love um and who love you. So I want to
thank especially my dad for teaching me about the power
(13:08):
of ideas, imagination and science, and my mom who told
me about music and compassion. My amazing kids, two of
whom are here tonight. The others in the business of
having babies or grandchildren for me that they inspire inspire
(13:28):
me and made me very proud. And and I now
have two grandchildren. And most of all, the person who
has to suffer the most for the life that I've chosen,
my incredible wife may have who has given me an
extraordinary life. I love you so much. Watch out for music.
(13:57):
It should come with a health warning. It can be dangerous.
It can make you feel so alive, so connected to
the people all around you. I'm connected to what you
really are inside, and it can make you think the
world should and could be a much better place, and
(14:18):
just occasionally it can make you very very happy. Thank
you so much. Thanks for joining us on this week's
(14:46):
episode of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Vault.
For more on your favorite inductees, to shop inductee merch
or to plan your trip to the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame, visit rock hall dot com plus Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions special on demand on
HBO Max. Our executive producers are Noel Brown, Shelby Morrison,
(15:06):
and Esa Gurkey. Supervising producer is Taylor shakogn Research and
Archival assistants from Isabelle Keeper and Shannon Herb. Thanks again
for joining us on this week's episode of Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame Induction Vall. Induction Ball is a
production of I Heart Radio in the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame. For more podcasts from I heart Radio,
(15:31):
visit the i heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever
you get your favorite podcasts.
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