Happy Birthday Peter Gabriel: ‘Live On Letterman’ In 2011
By Andy Kahn Feb 13, 2017 • 10:58 am PST
Renowned musician Peter Gabriel celebrates his 67th birthday today. He first gained attention as the costumed founding frontman for influential progressive rock band Genesis, leaving the group in 1975 to pursue a widely successful solo career while producing hits like “Sledgehammer,” “Solsbury Hill,” “Don’t Give Up” and “In Your Eyes.” Last year Gabriel contributed “The Veil” to the soundtrack to Oliver Stone’s film Snowden and continued to explore his pursuit of collaboration, embarking on the Rock Paper Scissors Tour with Sting.
In honor of Peter’s birthday today, here’s a look back a memorable visit he made to the Ed Sullivan Theater and The Late Show With David Letterman back in November 2011. Gabriel’s appearance in support of his 2011 orchestral album New Blood featured a special Live On Letterman extended set.
Gabriel was joined by his New Blood Orchestra to perform re-interpretations of several of his well-known songs just as they were arranged for the LP. Below are three songs played during the Live On Letterman session, including “Red Rain” from Gabriel’s 1986 LP So and his anti-apartheid anthem “Biko.” There’s also footage of “Solsbury Hill” from his 1977 self-titled debut solo album, watch all three clips below:
