An internal argument stemmed within NIHOF as to where to rank Genesis, Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel on this list. Unlike New Order/Joy Division we never considered combining them; it just didn’t feel right or frankly even remotely appropriate. With Genesis getting in last year, the current debate now is where to rank those who had brilliant solo careers that followed. Though Phil Collins may have been on the radio more, we felt that there was no way that his career really was more significant than Peter Gabriel’s.

When the world first discovered Peter Gabriel it was as the eccentric and flamboyant lead singer of Genesis. After splitting with Genesis and starting a solo career, Gabriel moved away from the Progressive Rock sound and was able to create radio friendly songs that still kept true to his eccentric nature. Gabriel was also able to incorporate his work into the video medium, creating groundbreaking videos (Shock the Monkey, Sledgehammer, Digging in the Dirt for example) that pushed the visual medium. His main focus of late has been the production and expansion of World Music showing that music truly is the great common denominator. Gabriel got in as a member of Genesis; will the Hall feel they can now overlook his solo career?

The Bullet Points:

Previous Rank:

2010: #17

Eligible Since:

2002

Country of Origin:

United Kingdom (Chobham, England)

Why He Will Get In:

He was a true groundbreaker in multiple music mediums.

Why He Won’t Get In:

Does the induction of Genesis mean the Hall will ignore his solo work?

Nominated In:

Never

Essential Albums:

Peter Gabriel I (1977)

Peter Gabriel III (1980)

So (1986)

Us (1992)

Our Five Favorite Songs as Chosen by Each Member of the NIHOF Committee:  

Solsbury Hill (From Peter Gabriel I, 1977)

I Don’t Remember (From Peter Gabriel III, 1980)

Games Without Frontiers (From Peter Gabriel III, 1980)

Shock the Monkey (From Peter Gabriel IV, 1982)

Digging in the Dirt (From Us, 1992)