The Red Couch - Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel, born 1950
Former front man and lead singer of Genesis who revolutionised music videos with Sledgehammer and set a milestones in the new media with the CD-ROM Eve. Peter Gabriel has made his nest in Box Mill, South West England. The Mill is bordered on one side by a railway line and on the other by a small river. The sounds of the water and the trains inspire him.
He has pioneered the integration of ethnic music into modern popular music. He is the founder of the Witness-project which records and denounces human rights violations. Surprisingly he is quite down-to-earth and with none of the typical pop star attitude.
I am Peter Gabriel, we are sitting, I am sitting outside my studio. This is the By Brook, which is the river that passes by us and travels down through Bristol to the sea.
Personal history
I was born in 1950 on a farm just near Woking in Surrey. My dad is an electrical engineer and inventor, my mother she has many passions, she is a very good organiser, but loves music, horses, travel. So I have bits of both of them in me. I went to school nearby. It was a private school. At the secondary school I started playing music which was drums, that was the big thing for me. That got me into a band which became Genesis which I was with for about eight years and then I left and did stuff on my own. I’ve been working a lot with world music and we started a world music festival. On one tour I was invited for a Human Rights Now -tour and that got me involved in human rights activism. There have been quite a few other diversions but that's sort of led me to this part of the world where I have my home for making music.
Why are you an artist?
I think for me my work is a form of therapy. You know as a teenager a lot of people want to be rock musicians so they can get girls and get famous. I'm sure that was part of my motivation then, but now I think it's something else. The feeling I have for music and particularly when I am with other musicians and when we do recording weeks here where we get musicians from all over the world and we play together, there's a fantastic feeling that I don't get anywhere else.
So I think for me it's a release, it's a kind of therapy. I feel I can express myself. But as a young man, I think it was a way of making my own identity and getting some passion out of it.
Because the school I was in was a repressed institution, very formal traditional English school. So when I used to go downstairs and turn up the music really loud or bash away at my drums, it was a form of passion.

[@robst247]

No artist has played such an important role in my life over more than four decades as this man. He's honest, unpretentious and grounded. His music never fails to move me.

[@philippepages9929]

Strictly the same here. I wouldn't change a word at what you said..

[@seamusin1697]

You took the words right out of my mouth and did so eloquently and with great sincerity. Cheers, my fellow PG fan!

[@0patience4flz]

Thank you. You speak for me as well. Cheers, from U. S. A.

[@hybrid6692]

Absolutely agree , could not have said it better myself

[@Sugarsail1]

great music but totally pretentious

[@simsimma9622]

For about the first five minutes I was thinking "Wow, Peter has become pretty normal in his old age." Then the camera pulled out and revealed he's sitting in a nest in a tree. Ha!!! Love this guy.

[@mistyblueeyes4024]

Haha yeah the nest bit gave me a chuckle 😀

[@SteveM-ly7oy]

I can't think of any other famous person who would take this seriously and still talk properly in the rain. Gold star to you, Peter. I love your music.

[@mikedenmark]

Everything about this incredible human being seems nothing but brilliant 🤷 ~ just look at the way he reacts when it starts raining and snowing in the midst of the interview ~ his smile at 3:47 is so heartwarming and sincere ❣️~ it says so much about his natural demeanour, his state of mind & generally what he loves about life, which is the fact that you never know what happens from one moment to the next🤔💁‍♂️

[@richardcrompton6009]

This is like a hilarious nature documentary... And here we see the Gabriel in its natural habitat...

[@mistyblueeyes4024]

Haha!

[@smoovegittar]

@@0patience4flz Well, he is a farmboy...

[@zelly8163]

What's pretty funny.

[@michaelbillow2544]

Bless his heart. Peter appears at his most genuine and relaxed here.

[@ME-gz8yi]

Yes- I really appreciate his sincerity and candor. He mentioned time-lapse film of plants... there is an awesome documentary called "the secret life of plants" from the 70s I believe but also found on youtube today, for which Stevie Wonder created the soundtrack.

[@danburnes722]

Most or moist?

[@timdowns7937]

This is brilliant, best interview I’ve ever seen with Peter, personal, very warm. Great 🤗

[@0patience4flz]

Im blown away...again by P. G.

[@smoovegittar]

Agree

[@JAlexander-io8so]

Hes a guaranteed eternal sanctuary man!

[@jeanjacqueslundi3502]

What does tha mean?

[@klaus3579]

@@jeanjacqueslundi3502 It's a quote from "Supper's Ready"... I guess, there are more than 1 million interpretations of "what is means"....

[@tashatoby2253]

Wow. Everything Peter said. What a beautiful environment he is blessed to live in. Such a humble, thoughtful, creative person. Not only one of my all time favorite musicians with Genesis and solo, but my all time favorite celebrity. Because Peter makes being famous seem so natural. I wish I could meet him one day.

[@charliekane135]

When he smiles he looks like his younger self ❤

[@cleasbymusic]

Never met him, but love his music. "In Your Eyes" I never tire of. Hope he lives many more years, a great person.

[@AR-lv7df]

What an awesome video. Laughing at his facial expression when the hail stones came on really bad. Well done for not abandoning it. I cannot believe so few people have seen it. I would like to tell Peter if he ever reads this that you are a revelation to me. I hugely respect and admire you. and you have the worlds best smile and eyes(after my son's) Good luck always t o you and yours

[@marileneboschofsky1418]

A R I love this man❤️

[@theLukedishwasher]

That’s British weather for you. All four seasons in 14 minutes. Love PG.

[@tomtheeman5861]

Thank you for all the wonderful music you've created over the years. And thank you for the most charming interview I've ever watched. You exhibit a great intelligence while still speaking in a plain and honest fashion. In answer to the question of leaving the world a better place; I have always held that the smallest of acts, such as simple kindness, charity and enthusiasm ripple out into the entire Universe as positive waves that can effect enormous changes for good. Perhaps incalculable and unseen but influencing other people and building trends throughout all experienced reality.

[@Neboviews]

It's wonderful that you're humble, thoughtful and honest Peter. I see all the worldly things you've accomplished and am amazed that a person can go through such a lifetime of success, and yet be so down to earth. Please stay that way man - you're an inspiration! And ten times that on the musical scale too btw. We'll likely never meet, but I will always pray for your protection, contentment and joy. To me, happiness is like those ephemeral surface waters that ebb and flow, while joy is like the deep underground current that feeds and sustains the abundant life above via knowledge of the living One. Be at peace brother.

[@stevedotwood]

charming is the word, very down to earth - You have to love Peter Gabriel. Always loved his singing voice, raw and very unique - and here we're witnessing what a fine human being he is. I'm a fan of his music, mostly from Trespass to The Lamb, because it's the music of my generation. The answer for me is: righteous anger/indignation for what is wrong and unfair in the world today. More people should be angry.

[@Missjunebugfreak]

One of my favourite artists ever. Such an inspiring man with great humility.

[@Phobero]

Wow, they left him out in the rain - and then he was voiceless in Turin in 2014 - LOOK WHAT YOU HAVE DONE! [Thanks to the uploader, fascinating video]

[@rpraelsporcupine3112]

Lovely interview. He’s always so thoughtful, candid and honest when answering questions! It’s quite amazing to me how he can be able to share his feelings so openly with the world.

[@conchieixerespiquer8880]

You have the mos baeutiful smile, I love you

[@patriziabonini7077]

Thank you for all your words, music, studies, ... So simple so clever so refined and poetic..Ciao

[@jstone247]

Those soulful eyes.

[@carlodicintio2797]

Grande uomo, grande musicista, compositore, voce incredibile...tutto ciò che io non potrò mai essere, per cui mi piace pensare che Peter abbia in qualche modo realizzato anche i miei sogni, come altri milioni di genesiani e gabrieliani nel mondo.Grazie di esistere!!!

[@riskromer9773]

Nothing but admiration for PG, what a human. Where can I find more videos like this for other artists?

[@MrPinzollo]

What i feel all the times i hear Peter talking is that he could have been a friend of mine. He s the musician i love the most but at the same time i feel if he wasn t a musician and in some way i had the chance to meet him we would have naturally talk a lot together...

[@TheFLOMAN76]

Such a humble human being. Thank you for being you. 😊

[@hayleyfloyd7277]

This weather man is going way off script

[@rk41gator]

SO England.

[@vanman757]

​​@@rk41gatort looks like it's summer, aswel... Pretty much the same as todays weather in England, 24 years later !!! 😂

[@rocksunjaxindie]

He is doing this interview in a storm? OMG, so great

[@nicola3077]

Is he about to lay an egg?

[@christimentus4425]

How do we leave the world a better place? We utilize our strengths and passion for the causes we support and somehow try our hardest to make a difference, even if it's in a small way. One small act of kindness can become contagious and produce a productive adventure of sorts! I respect and love your take on life, Peter. You are an integral part of our lives through your music. Thank you for such a candid expression! As usual, your Honesty is refreshing!! Peace. xx

[@madgrammy697]

Such a thoughtful and thought provoking interview. To answer the question, for me is through the way I treat people and through my children and grandchildren who are gifts to the world. Peace. 🤝

[@susanasanchez2861]

yes, sound attracts matter and your sound is the best of them all. thank you for it!

[@moxie6829]

this video... is why I love Peter.

[@VR360TV]

Wow! That last answer, really made me think, thank you Peter.

[@KiraandtheSurvivalPod]

Wow, this man is super dedicated to the interview LOL. I love him so much.

[@leylak.5994]

Beautiful minded person. I love you.

[@danieltaillefer3604]

To Peter's question: express love now before you might loose that opportunity. The "Long Now" is full of unpredictable surprises.

[@jondacoromanu5584]

THANKYOU GABRIEL, YOU ARE MY SPECIAL HERO, THANKYOU.

[@rooftopcat1785]

I usually relate a time of season to when an album came out , and where I was at in my life and times, where was i in feb of 1977? waiting for record town to open so I could get the first copy of Peter's first solo album release, still have the price tag inside, the bus fair was 25cents to the mall to get the album. thank you pete. I wont be easy prey, gonna find a way, to make it ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE..

[@r0noak]

"What or who created the universe?" lmao

[@rhythmfield]

As a professional drummer and seeking artist myself, Peter has been an enormous and very positive influence on my life. It’s terrific seeing him in this very personal happy spot, clearly a power spot for him - yet maintaining that good old weird humor he’s had all along (forging ahead with the ‘interview’ through the storm… Continuing the interview unshaken, sitting in a nest…)

[@kentborges5114]

PETER GABRIEL..."What an amazing artist".

[@TheDailyVinylLIVE]

interested to watch the rest of this, but had to stop and rewind... did he say that brook flows to "Bristol, Tennessee"... Oh, Bristol TO the sea. LOL.

[@westrokker]

I know I’m stuck way in the past .... but I still very fondly remember seeing you with Genesis at a small club in Cincinnati in 1973. Mesmerizing opening number of Watcher of the Skies. I’m 66 now and still vividly recall this performance. Thank you...

[@Rocketpalmgrenade]

It doesn't look like they played Cincinnati in 1973 - however they did play the Agora in Columbus and the Allen Theatre in Cleveland that year.

[@westrokker]

@@Rocketpalmgrenade could have possibly been late ‘72 but it’s a fact. They played a club called “Reflections” in Cincinnati near UC campus. I was there. This was a night club so there may be no record of it as if it was a concert venue.

[@caramason56]

He is so inspiring 😊

[@khandrum]

A true artist and compassionate man and a very special person who inspires me and makes me love music even more if that's at all possible haha since I'm a musician who made a living performing all over this globe I was blessed

[@marthagogele9044]

I love Peter and the Musik 🎶 great 😄❤

[@regplasma7906]

A legend on the nest in the rain.That's a weird sentence.

[@LindyLooo99]

Yes Peter, so true. SOUND created the Earth. remarkably in Genesis........ And God Said, And God Said, And God Said.... 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning-the first day. 6 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” 7 So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning-the second day. 9 And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning-the third day. 14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made two great lights-the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning-the fourth day. 20 And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” 23 And there was evening, and there was morning-the fifth day. 24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” 29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground-everything that has the breath of life in it-I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning-the sixth day.

[@user-wf4sy1wb5t]

It’s the truth And it’s called „Genesis“

[@caramason56]

Brilliant

[@trqsdays1]

It's not Genesis without Peter

[@astraton2001]

Where is the red couch ? Seems he sits in a bird nest

[@blindnarcissus]

One of a kind. 🖤

[@alexmorrison9156]

Yeah, thank you Peter; thank you so much

[@kathleenwoolever1547]

Dear Peter...I entered the World listening to your vocals (the 70's) as my Father always played Carpet Crawler's...and my hope would be to leave the World someday also hearing your vocals singing the same song ;) Peace, Kat

[@TheNellamaria]

rare

[@genesisforever4146]

Peter's question, how do you leave a better world then the one you entered? my answer is, Love and human kindness and understanding of the world around you. :D

[@brigittevangerven3457]

Who created the universe ? I recommend reading the Silmarillion by Tolkien, I think you will quite like it. According to that story, the earth was created in a song, sung by the Valar (the gods). That's why we hear music everywhere on earth, in the water, in the wind ...

[@altresjoe]

Opening title music by Klaus Schultze...

[@discoduckgandolf]

Such dedication! He really is too good for this world...FUUUUUUUUUUUUU

[@dinacarr2734]

I would very much like to sit in that nest. In the rain with Peter and have a chat. Humble, honest and fine man.

[@caramason56]

I agree, music is my therapy as well 😊

[@lamarjohnson4023]

At least he wasn't raised by Joan Crawford and Beavis or Butthead.

[@Allistar]

I love him and now I just learned you don’t really need more chicks and more money once you have achieved them

[@ME-gz8yi]

@Fine Art Biblio - Awesome interview-thank you for sharing it! To answer Peter's question "how to leave the world a better place than the one you entered?" Great question and I wish I had the definitive answer; however, I might suggest... -Take child-rearing very seriously; -At least occasionally think of people in 3rd world squalor when you turn on a tap; -Be kind/share; -Pray/meditate; -Listen to music; -Look inward occasionally and look within for contentedness; -When someone annoys/offends you, consider what personal hell they live(d) in to treat others badly; -Consider that if one is confronted with conflict/war that though we may be used as instruments of our leaders, as the great Karl Jaspers said we are ultimately responsible for our own actions and thus guilty of crimes committed at our own hands. I know... easier said than done, right?!

[@snacklofter]

Nice one Pete!

[@PattyCanales]

him is the best of Genesis...

[@hyperborean72]

poor Peter sitting and talking under heavy rain

[@uckbee]

Did Peter not check the forecast before deciding to film?

[@rexel666]

"Here comes the Flood" is my favourite song, ever.

[@ladyggsmith3261]

How do you leave behind a better world,.. then the one you entered .. ???

[@DarkeningSkies1]

His answer to the question of what created the universe reminded me of The Who song “Pure and Easy”... “There once was a note...”

[@markvincent3836]

THIS GUY IS SO FUNNY...!!!

[@vanman757]

Yes but, are you laughing with him or, at him ?!

[@Gingerblue66]

What a fine fellow!

[@chrisbrown7127]

Did the Swan mind you sitting in its nest?

[@ladziaapapruha5618]

Thank you, Peter🙏

[@kathleenhealey1205]

What an amazing human being!

[@bennylloyd-willner9667]

@10:25 he reminds me of Bill Bailey even more - they are soul mates for sure! Love them both!

[@ariesmercurio1869]

Guaranteed eternal santuary Man

[@macker8017]

This is old brian pern looking relaxed here

[@TonyTutorio]

"Hey Pete. You've got an invite. Bring Flute, tunes and a few old friends. See yer then. 13th Jan, the Plough. Upton."

[@kai326]

11:22 Important.

[@matthewgiffin]

A nest? In the rain?

[@MissHaotic]

I love his question. 🧡

[@smoovegittar]

Made his nest, indeed. Love the man.

[@marthagogele9044]

Sweet Vogelnest 😉❤

[@vanman757]

When was this filmed, in 1999 ?!

[@charliekane135]

Not in the description unfortunately

[@patriciavel4601]

So cute

[@oo88oo]

Again, an engineer sires a brilliant artist. Who was the other? Bowie? Billy Corrigan?

[@daliacyallahs]

I don't know if it would work, but I'd try to do things as I think would benefit myself only if it also benefitted, or didn't do damage to the world at large, and hope that others follow suit.

[@joaorolo2371]

Yahhp☮️💗🙏👏❤️

[@dekekyo]

Hell of a song. X

[@starlitedelite1]

❤💖❤

[@oddvarolsen8310]

Peter.... 47707895...

[@rhythmfield]

You left your phone number…, So… Did Peter call you?

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

Beautiful illusion. 🌏

[@TonyTutorio]

"Meet you in Upton. Bring our flute."

[@pagannana9016]

What a total beauty

[@TonyTutorio]

"?"

[@tonybaines3332]

he sounds like dr evil .... lol

[@tonybaines3332]

Oh no, please, please, let's hear about your childhood. Dr Evil: Very well, where do I begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a fifteen year old French prostitute named Chloe with webbed feet. My father would womanize, he would drink, he would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Some times he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy, the sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. My childhood was typical, summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds, pretty standard really. At the age of 12 I received my first scribe. At the age of fourteen, a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum, it's breathtaking, I suggest you try it. Therapist: You know, we have to stop.

[@0patience4flz]

@@tonybaines3332 out-standing!

[@0patience4flz]

Tony Baines to Tony Baines come in Tony Baines...Tony Baines here, over.

[@MrMarcolondonuk]

Grande Peter