Peter Gabriel - Why Don't We - LIVE 15 March 1977

Audio recording of Peter Gabriel performing an unreleased song called Why Don't We. Recorded live at the Music Hall in Cleveland, Ohio, 15 March 1977. Photos from that year are also included.
This song was never released and was only performed a handful of times. In my opinion, it is better than several of the songs that Peter Gabriel decided to include on his first two albums. This is a real treat for any fans who have not heard it before.
Featured Musicians:
Phil Aaberg - keyboards
Larry Fast - synthesizers
Robert Fripp - guitars & effects
Peter Gabriel - vocals, flute
Steve Hunter - lead guitars
Tony Levin - bass
Jim Maelen - percussion
Alan Schwartzberg - drums, percussion

[@matthewgiffin9305]

This is the most Genesis-like song he ever did as a solo artist I think. Never heard it before.

[@spiritof6663]

How was this never on an album?! It's one of his best songs from that period! And the most like Genesis...flute intro and all. A wonderful find.

[@angelocaruana1822]

❤

[@riptheskull]

rare nuggets like this make youtube worthwhile!

[@StitchMeAwkward]

Aside from my mum and my boyfriend, Peter Gabriel has to be one of my favourite human beings. That's quite a grand statement for a man I'll never meet but you can't help but respect him. Never change, Peter, you humble, creative genius! :)

[@gr.vo.3058]

It's soon to be 2023, and he's still creating great music and art.

[@lorenzolevy4708]

A little family snapshot vibes at the end

[@CthulhuWaitsDreaming]

Glad everyone seems to appreciate that I posted this.

[@mortalflower1]

Indeed!

[@PhillipJohnsonZENOPHILE]

You are so right. This is a treat of rare delight. So yummy!

[@pearlydae]

Oh Peter you always help lift my spirits. ☺️

[@jacquesfinster5034]

After 2.45 min i see the final part of Family Snapshot

[@numptytwonk1680]

I've always loved this song. Whilst parts of it have clearly evolved into other songs - most notably Family Snapshot - it would be great if Peter could revisit it and create a studio version. The lyrics are somewhat incoherent, so perhaps they would require a bit more work, but it's something really quite special which definitely deserves a much wider audience.

[@mattpaynemp]

I hear some Genesis, but also here hints of family snapshot as well. Either way it is nice to hear something from this time period. Thank You

[@briancherry8088]

wow. this is the first time Ive heard of this. Im blown away. Amazing.

[@sledgeinc2]

I had the LP bootleg "Waiting for the Big One" and this was on it. Beautiful song, I miss that era of Peter's solo work.

[@hubiex]

This is a nice little example of how Genesis would of sounded had Pete stayed. It even blends in with WindandWutherings mood. The electric piano is reminiscent of "your own special way". I caught this tour in N.Y., a great show. I've fantasized for years as to the Genesis sound had Pete and Steve stayed on. This is but a mere glimpse, and a heartfelt find....Thanks!!

[@slowcloud]

I've had this concert on vinyl for years, and this track always gave me chills. The opening of the song is especially moving. It's amazing to hear it this audio quality!

[@PeterMayer]

We saw Peter at Music Hall in Cleveland in 1980.

[@maxinemckenzie5765]

Robert Fripp on Guitar and Tony Levin with Hair. What's not to Like?

[@perrrcibal]

Mr Fripp was on tour with Peter,i never heard that before,great combo, two of the must avangard artist of all time

[@1Boodyman1]

I agree - what a beauty! As a fan I've never heard of it before. It's surely a pity that it's not on the album. Maybe because of its length...

[@yurolson]

I heard this song today - this morning on Meeks cafe - for the first time!!!! I'm 56 - a major genesis fan - but I have to ask - where the hell have I been???? this first peter Gabriel time was awesome actually. I do have the lp bootleg of this Cleveland show but I guess I never listened to it. I love the counter point, the guitar sound - yes this morning when i was have a sleep at 6 am or so it sounded like genesis in the same way the Voyage of the Acolyte does ( the hackett fist solo lp) Brand x was doing its on Morroccan roll thing for sure but in this track - man I here the next Lamb music progression. The fender rhodes - the atmosphere like the end of the 2nd side of Selling England ( Isle of Plenty- right?) a man this is so cool…Almost Happy the man in the beginning, the big pedal points with the orchestration…

[@CthulhuWaitsDreaming]

This is sorta what might have happened if PG, RF and TL had started a generation of KC.

[@FoxtronInk]

This only proves once again. That, Peter Gabriel is always being the sparehead of Progressive rock. Robert Fripp and Tony Levin are pretty much King Crimson. So, King crimson Plays with Peter Gabriel. He is the man. Yeah!

[@sanfrandreamin]

So sweet!! Thanks, I love this era of Peters music. This was a prog rock all star line up. I love the Crimson touch. Twenty years later and Peter still has the good sense to continue collaborating with Tony Levin. Awesome!

[@rael7894]

wow i like this song. very Genesis-y

[@dowdalli]

My guess is that he didn't include it on his albums because he felt it was too close to his previous sound. He was off solo to try out new styles. I agree though, this was quite a surprise; a gem. I would love to hear a studio version.

[@moribund14]

This is a real treat - many thanks for posting!

[@makissoflife]

This is such a beautiful song. Surely wish Peter Gabriel had included it on one of his albums. How about a remix Peter to be included on I/O someday! : )

[@hawkhandsaw]

Pure beauty.

[@Villagejonesy]

I don't hear Here Comes the Flood; but as to Family Snapshot, I know exactly what you mean: At five minutes fifty (5:50) and six-forty-five (6:45), where he sings "can't feel anything anyhow" it sounds just like "I need some affection/I shoot into the light," on Family Snapshot. And yes, although this is my favorite artist of all, and I've collected so many rare pieces of vinyl by him over the years, I never had heard this one. Thanks so much for posting this CWD!

[@jacquesfinster5034]

After 2.45 min i see the final part of Family Snapshot, is the same part.

[@seanus4508]

Very good

[@genesisforever4146]

This was the best times to see Peter live, so real:)

[@matmoose]

Peter Gabriel, Robert Fripp, Tony Levin... All it needed was Bill Bruford on drums to be the perfect line-up...

[@prosoloist]

Hearing that song makes me realize why he thought collaborating with Happy The Man would be a good idea.

[@rebeccabryan3912]

💋

[@terraincognitogo]

Genesis A.D :)

[@MIKEKLATT1]

Genial - der Song

[@ladywithtime]

Yeah, rael7894, it does have a Genesis feel to it. I love Peter's post-Genesis music, but I often wished he would also write some prog-rock style songs. He probably wanted to distance himself from that and explore his fusion-style music, but oh, this song shows how brilliant he is in this genre.

[@crimfan]

This sont is amazingly good. It's got a Genesis vibe going to it, but I don't really hear this as a Genesis song per se. Too bad he didn't record it, it's really, really good.

[@mphtower]

I agree with the other comments that this is what evolved into Family Snapshot. There's also a hint of Indigo in here as well. I've gotta say, though, I think I might prefer this to Family Snapshot.

[@PeterMayer]

I'm don't think I ever heard this. I do have a bootleg from The Roxy in 77 but I'm not sure it's on there.

[@davebusfield]

@giulianolapostata I really like the second album. Wonderful day, white shadow, mother of violence are all great songs. and what about on the air?

[@esejantias]

for moments it hears like an early version of family snapshot

[@escoffierp]

I think it's Fripp on second guitar with his crimson touch

[@eggcuriousity]

Cimbarius, I agree Another Day is a wonderful tune. You know it was written by Roy Harper, right ?

[@glenesis]

Thank You!! I have this on a worn out cassette boot. This is much better! Have you, by any chance, got "Angel's Fate"?

[@CthulhuWaitsDreaming]

I do not have that, when is it from?

[@glenesis]

@@CthulhuWaitsDreaming Ah, I just went digging. It was the name of a track on a bootleg I had called "Peter The Angel", and the tape wore out, but I just found it on KZbin! The song is actually called "Another Day". It's a duet with Kate Bush recorded for her 1979 Christmas program. Thanks for the reply! Have a wonderful day ;)

[@glenesis]

@@CthulhuWaitsDreaming Apparently it's a Roy Harper tune.

[@CthulhuWaitsDreaming]

@@glenesis OK, I do have what you are talking about. You are talking about the song Another Day (a Roy Harper song) and you can find it on youtube. Also on that same Kate Bush Christmas show, Kate and her backing vocalists sing a song about the Angel Gabriel, followed by PG performing an excellent version of Here Comes The Flood.

[@FoxtronInk]

This only proves once again. That, Peter Gabriel is always being the spearhead of Progressive rock. Robert Fripp and Tony Levin are pretty much King Crimson. So, King crimson Plays with Peter Gabriel. He is the man. Yeah!

[@CthulhuWaitsDreaming]

No Peter did not perform this song at the Roxy show.

[@HalaFoundation]

NO NO NO - this plainly turned into Not One of US, not Family Snapshot. Listen carefully and you will hear the origins of Not One of US very clearly.

[@Kannebas]

Peter looks like he could be Ian Brown's older brother in a lot of those pictures, especially at 5:16.

[@Falkowski82]

is peter better then sting please respond i am going nuts. JOM

[@looseSpark]

@SparrowisSexy I think that is a statement a lot of people would agree with! :-)

[@mloaks]

yes. easily. which does not make Sting lame, tho...

[@Falkowski82]

peter better then sting JON

[@BajoCLF]

Who knows and who cares? Competition has nothing to do with art.

[@Falkowski82]

know who better peter or sting