Peter Gabriel was the lead singer of genesis. He wanted to be more theatrical with his music. When he left genesis, they considered hiring a new lead singer, but “settled” for Phil Collins. I think they did ok. 🙂
Technically, they didn't 'settle' for Phil. Because Peter wore so many masks in his theatrics during concerts, Phil sang a lot of Peter's vocal parts when the masks were in the way. So, once Peter left, Phil took over and the first couple of albums without Peter sounded a lot like Peter since that was Phil's style at that time. Phil gradually got his own voice in place and took off from there. Phil was a fantastic drummer, but ultimately went to being the front man and other amazing drummers filled in. They left the prog rock days behind and turned more poppy and started getting more radio play and Mtv presence. The prog/Peter era will always be my favorite, and Peter is one of my favorite rock vocalists of all time.
As a kid, this was my first introduction to Peter Gabriel. Was too young to understand the innuendos in the song.. still listen to it today with" adult ears"
@@juneseghni The best part is that, at that time, George Michael's "I Want Your Sex" got no radio play in the US for being "too explicit", while "Sledgehammer" (with much raunchier lyrics) occupied the #1 spot in the US Charts.
I'm pretty sure this song (well, especially the video) was my first dip into Peter Gabriel as well. And yeah, all those innuendos went right over my head... Then again I also not an native english speaker. x)
Tony Levin is such a kickass, highly influential bass player, even came up with new ways to play such a rocking bass that became a signature foundation for Peter Gabriel.
The video for this won video of the year, and was groundbreaking. Other songs of his you could check out are “shock the monkey” “big time” “games without frontiers” “in your eyes” “solsbury hill”. All are worth a listen, IMO.
*The video for this song is the most-played in MTV history. More than 'Thriller', 'Billie Jean', 'Take On Me', 'Bohemian Rapsody' or any other iconic video.*
Having always been distracted by the video now, finally paying full attention to the lyrics, I can see why they gave us claymation & dancing chickens 😂
Peter Gabriel is one of the singular artists of the past 50 years. He was a key creative force behind one of the most important progressive rock groups (Genesis). It is accurate to say he became more “pop” but without any diminishment of his art. Then turned his attention and brought notoriety to artists from around the world. You should react to the live version of In Your Eyes. Extraordinary.
I absolutely adore Peter Gabriel as a solo artist. And I love Genesis, but prefer the Phil Collins era. I love the love prog rock/pop, but Genesis with PG doesn't vibe for me.
I think Gabriel references his departure from Genesis and that influence here with the lyrics, "I kicked the habit, shed my skin, this is the new stuff, I go dancing in". His previous solo albums were similar to what he did with Genesis, but this one was very different.
Peter was Genesis frontman / lead singer and when he left the band Phil Collins took over as lead singer . His duet with Kate Bush " Don't Give Up " is iconic .
Peter Gabriel was the main vocalist and songwriter for Genesis. He left Genesis because he wanted to go in a different musical direction. Do yourself a favor and watch the video for this song. It's great! Lots of claymation and effects before they were commonplace in music videos. Also, I'd say that Genesis was more pop than Peter Gabriel, he's very artsy. He's done a lot of different music with various artists to give them exposure. He's a human rights activist. A couple of his best political statements songs are 'Biko', about a South African anti-apartheid activist Stephen Biko who was beaten to death by South African police. Also, 'Games Without Frontiers' about the childish actions of world leaders. 'Shock The Monkey ' (about jealousy) and 'Red Rain' are also great. He has a big catalog of music both with Genesis, an individual artist and as a collaborator.
Great video! Though ‘Games Without Frontiers’ is one of my favorite songs ever. Your girl Kate Bush sings backing vocals on that one. Jeux sans frontières…
When I was in the Army I was in the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry division, the "Sledgehammer" brigade. We literally listened to this song EVERY duty day after morning PT, and I never got sick of it. Still one of my favorite songs of his, but he has a great catalog.
Should have played the actual music video, Peter was the lead singer of Genesis then left to spend time with his family and his solo career. Phil Collins then took over lead vocals. Mike Rutherford was Bassist and Guitarist who also had a side project with Mike and The Mechanics. You should react to Solsbury Hill about Peter Gabriel's experience leaving the band. Also Mike and The Mechanics emotion song called "The Living Years" about Mike losing his father.
Peter Gabriel is touring later this year. FRONT ROW CENTER here in Dallas. Thanks to a good friend. This song is one of my favorites. The video was so innovative for it's time. Love you guys!!
Who is Peter Gabriel? He's the original front man of Genesis when Phil Collins was just playing drums and singing backing vocals. If you want a real treat you should listen to Peter Gabriel on Genesis' prog epic "Supper's Ready"
Peter Gabriel has a huge catalog of incredible pieces. He is often the writer & the director of many of them. He was the original lead singer for Genesis and then went onto do his own work. His new video for 'In Your Eyes' is pretty fantastic. His others are: Big Time, Shock the Monkey, Solsbury Hill, Games Without Frontiers, etc. Keep enjoying!
Agree, such a great song, doesn't seem to get the love it deserves. I think it might be my favourite PG song (though I'm partial to Mercy Street as well.) Great video too, as per usual with that era Peter Gabriel.
If you guys do Digging In the Dirt, it's gotta be the live version from Secret World Live. Paula Cole singing with him on that whole album is phenomenal.
@@ianfortier6796 Amen, *other* Ian! 😁 Love Paula Cole too, not sure what she's been up to lately, but she seemed everywhere back in the late 90s-early aughts.
When I was a little kid we lived in the UK and Peter Gabriel had a country house a few miles down the road from us. Amazing song - One of the best from the age of videos - not watching the video is criminal…..
A tiny bit more on Genesis: Peter Gabriel was the vocalist, and wrote some of the lyrics and music. Phil Collins was the drummer and sang backing vocals. After Peter Gabriel left in '75, Phil Collins took over vocals. When Genesis toured, they had a second drummer so that Phil Collins could front the band as vocalist. Bill Bruford (ex Yes, and King Crimson) played drums for Genesis on tour (Edit: 1976). Best Wishes, Chaps. ☮ Hollywood, you should watch the MV. Edit: @Roger Daly gives a better, more complete list of Genesis's touring drummers below.
I'll add, when Peter Gabriel left Genesis a lot of fans thought they were over (cedfku). However, when Phil Collins stepped up to sing lead, pretty much everyone shut up. Phil filled the role magnificently. Best Wishes, All. ☮
Bill Bruford only toured with them in 1976. From 1977 - 1992 & 2007 the touring drummer was Chester Thompson. Last year Phil's son Nic was their drummer.
@@rogerdaly6326 Thank you. Good comments. I knew Bill spent a lot of his time playing with KC or his own bands, and not touring with Genesis, but my comment was misleading. So - Thank you for clearing up. I'll go fix it. Best Wishes. ☮
When PG was in Genesis, he was the singer and primary songwriter. Phil Collins was the drummer of Genesis at the same time (but not the original drummer). Genesis at that time was a Progressive Rock band, similar to Yes, and King Crimson. After PG left in 1977 and Phil took over on vocals, they both became Pop acts by the mid-80’s. In fact, the same time that Sledgehammer was popular, so was Invisible Touch by Genesis. Both songs came out in ‘86.
Kinda on track with your comment but just to tweak a bit...Peter was the man behind most of the lyrics written during his time with Genesis (though not all). Meanwhile Tony Banks was the main music writer and gatekeeper of what would be accepted or tossed -though Mike Rutherford also played a big role as well -Phil and Steve were junior members. Take the Lamb album. Peter wrote the lyrics in isolation from the band while the band wrote virtually all the music away from Pete. Then they would lay this all together and adjust accordingly.. This becomes even more evident when Peter left and Genesis songs remained sounding like Genesis songs even as they evolved while Peter NEVER wrote anything that sounded like old Genesis. Also: though Phil was not the original drummer, it would be laughable to not consider him their only drummer -he missed their first "album" which really didn't count and wasn't on the second album, Trespass but after that every single studio album thereafter except their very last one was Phil the drummer (12 albums?). Yes, Chester Thompson was a hired gun on drums for the live shows but that was it, he didn't play or participate on a single studio effort -it was all Phil on drums all the time -vocals and drums. But yes, they did achieve superstardom as more of a pop trio eventually, though there was always a thread of prog to be found on every album they put out.
@@Vince-lq3ve Yeah, definitely their first few outings without PG were still fairly Proggy, while Gabriel was still experimental, but definitely not Prog after he went solo, despite working with Tony Levin and Fripp. Thanks for the additional info.
Peter Gabriel is one of those with a deep deep catalogue. He also started WOMAD: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Music,_Arts_and_Dance. Hard to pick a favorite from all his greats but "Red Rain" is probably top of my list.
I'm 60 now, and this song is one of my perpetual favorites. I loved to dance to it then, and I still feel it now. There is a great video of Peter Gabriel performing this last month in Spain. He still has his voice! Fruit Cage is witty and clever, which can be considered more fun than the blatant sexuality of lyrics today. His sequel to this song is Steam. Hit it!
Love Peter and Kate Bush. He’s one of the greatest artist….composing and lyricist. This album was released when I was in high school. His videos were cutting edge when it came out. Great reaction, brothers🤙🏾🤙🏾🎼
He has so many more amazing songs! I love Here Comes the Flood, Talk to Me (which has bagpipes and guitar blended beautifully), Don't Give Up, Shock the Monkey, In Your Eyes (one of his most popular songs), and so many more songs. His live performances are the best!
Peter Gabriel is so much more than a 'Pop' singer. He is a brilliant musician, composer and singer who brought new concepts in percussion and a world view to his music. Please try the following: Biko, San Jacento, In Your Eyes, Don't give up, Not One Of Us, Sky Blue, I Grieve, and I highly recommend the live version of In Your Eyes from the secret world tour. Once you see that, you will understand....trust me.
Peter plays a few instruments, but he’s almost exclusively the songwriter/singer. Tony Levin on bass, David Rhodes on guitar, and Manu Katché on drums.
Peter Gabriel was the lead-singer of Genesis before Collins. Collins was already drummer at that time. When Gabriel left, Collins took over vocals. Actually Gabriel is THE Genesis leadsinger, though Genesis was a big Pop-band after Gabriel. Gabriel was one of the big ones in the 70ies, progrock, flamboyent.
As well as vocals, Peter plays keyboards and flute. Although Peter is best known as a Prog Rock artist, and very strong promoter of World Music, one of his early loves was Stax and Atlantic Records, and this is a nod to that soul sound. This was his commercial break though single to the larger main stream and was on his 5th solo album. He was already very successful and had a very loyal fanbase following on from his days as frontman for Genesis. With often many years passing between album releases, his fans are always eager to see his latest creative arena concerts. Peter is involved in so many side projects, and he owns his own recording studio so he can take his time, fans have always had to be patient for any new material. He began his musical journey in 1965, but decades later, at the age of 73, he is currently on a world tour to promote a new album, called 'i/o', as yet fully unreleased, but hopefully will be by the end of 2023. He is releasing a download track one at a time on each full moon of the month.
You guys need to dip your toes in to Gabriel led Genesis, the album's nursery cryme foxtrot and selling England by the pound are works of art, literally.
Yes, the flute playing is Peter. There is a full band behind him on this track, the amazing Tony Levin on bass, Manu Katche on drums, David Rhodes on guitar, and producer Daniel Lanois on guitar.
This came out the year I graduated from High School and it was a HUGE song hit especially on MTV. After graduation at Panama City Beach this song was on HEAVY rotation up and down the STRIP and at all the parties. When I hear it thats what pops in my head.. what a time to be a teenager.❤❤❤
The music video to Sledgehammer is epic. Watch it now. So many great Peter Gabriel songs, I saw him in the late 70’s and I’m seeing him this year. Yeah, he’s that good. 😁
Damn, I became a fan of yall last week. Not that it matters, but I had no clue yall were younger than me. I'm a 79 baby and I grew up on stuff like this. Yes, the innuendos from yesteryear were def something different, and no hes not wanting to get a job in construction. lmfao. It would be really cool to hang with you cats and break down some bars.
In your eyes. Live version from the secret world tour is a great track Peter Gabriel was lead vocal on some of Genesis’s greatest tracks. Suppers ready and Firth of Forth and many more
Peter was lead singer of Genesis until he left in 1975 to go solo. Peter had been solo for about 9 years at this time. As you can guess this song is about being a sexual “sledgehammer”. When he left, Genesis looked for a new singer, but Phil Collins threw up the idea that maybe he should try it and it stuck, so Phil took over drum duty and also began to sang as well. Peter plays piano and keyboards as well. Peter had a really great band backing him during his solo careers with Phil Collins even joining him live in the early 80’s.
Y’all read my mind, I was JUST listening to this song earlier today! It just randomly popped in my head and I had to hear it, so I watched the video on TH-cam.
I was at a Peter Gabriel concert in Ottawa, Canada -1988. It was very, very theatrical as well as sounding great. Yup......he did Sledgehammer - without dancing chickens :-) Thanks for the reaction guys! Cheers!
At one point in time, the most requested music video on MTV (y'know, when MTV actually played music videos). Still an amazing song by an amazing artist. Honestly, I'd suggest revisiting this song with the official MV, if you're able to (copyright possibility and all; we don't want you guys to get struck, if at all possible).
He’s a genius and surrounds himself with brilliant musicians. He’ll be in tour in the U.S. this fall - go if you can. Similar PG songs to check out - Shock the Monkey, I Have the Touch, Kiss That Frog, Steam, and Big Time. Beautiful PG songs - Here Comes the Flood, Secret World, In Your Eyes, Come Talk to Me, Only Us
Genesis was originally a five piece band, with Phil Collins on drums and Peter Gabriel on vocals. Phil took over the vocal duties when Peter left. In 1976 they became a trio, and starting with the 1978 hit Follow You Follow Me they started embracing pop. Throughout the 80s they were one of the best-selling bands - in parallel with Phil Collins blowing up as a solo artist. Of course, they will always be remembered for being the premier purveyors of progressive rock in the 70s.
@@firemarble Couldn’t agree more. Tony Banks is the unsung hero in my book, his sense of harmony, his chord sequencing is unsurpassed and it’s what made the pop songs Genesis wrote so incredibly interesting. All of which is sadly missing in today’s top 40 music.
The metaphor of the lyrics,,, paper thin. The groove? Thick as a brick. You gotta react to the cover Harry Styles did of this song on Howard Stern’s morning show. Howard is apparently cool with copyright stuff cuz there’s a ton of em on TH-cam.
The claymation for this was done by Aardman studios, who went on to make the Wallace and Gromit movies. Peter Gabriel was the singer in Genesis. When he left Phil Collins took over as vocalist and they became a 3 piece.
My dad made mix tapes from LP records to play at parties and dances in the mid 80s. I got to listen to the records when I was old enough to use a record player. Paperlace was a one hit wonder in America but that song made the "Now that's what I call blah blah" type compilations of the time from K-TEL and other record companies. They had names like Full Tilt or Super Hits of the Super 70s. Some real classics as well as rare gold in there.
Peter Gabriel is primarily a vocalist but also plays some piano and flute. He was one of the founding members of Genesis which Phil Collins joined early on. For a bunch of of the time that Peter was with the band they were a 5-peice with Peter on Vocals, Phil, on drums and backing vocals, Tony Banks on keys, Steve Hackett on Lead Guitar, and Mike Rutherford on Base and Guitar. Some Peter Gabriel Genesis songs to look at: Firth of Fifth, Carpet Crawlers, Watcher of the Skies, The Knife (pre Phil and Steve) Some solo Peter Gabriel: Salisbury Hill, Red Rain, Digging in the Dirt, Signal to Noise
In Genesis, when Peter Gabriel was in the band, he was the lead singer, and it was a 5 piece band. Peter Gabriel-lead singer, Steve Hackett-lead guitar, Mike Rutherford-Bass, Tony Banks-Keys, and Phil Collins-Drums. Phil Collins didn't start singing until AFTER Gabriel left.
So my dad used to have this really bad ass Peter Gabriel concert on VHS and as a very young child it was one of my most favorite things to watch.... MORE Peter Gabriel please!
The video for this song won a bunch of awards because of it animation! One of the biggest radio hits of it own era!
Hugely massive but I preferred Big Time and Steam.
Bangers both but still love Sledgehammer.
Yeah. Watch the clay nation video version.
And one of the best lyrics ever!
The animation was fabtastic.
OMG Billy Don’t be a Hero?! That crappy song pops into my brain uninvited occasionally. 😃
Peter Gabriel was the lead singer of genesis. He wanted to be more theatrical with his music. When he left genesis, they considered hiring a new lead singer, but “settled” for Phil Collins. I think they did ok. 🙂
Technically, they didn't 'settle' for Phil. Because Peter wore so many masks in his theatrics during concerts, Phil sang a lot of Peter's vocal parts when the masks were in the way. So, once Peter left, Phil took over and the first couple of albums without Peter sounded a lot like Peter since that was Phil's style at that time. Phil gradually got his own voice in place and took off from there. Phil was a fantastic drummer, but ultimately went to being the front man and other amazing drummers filled in. They left the prog rock days behind and turned more poppy and started getting more radio play and Mtv presence. The prog/Peter era will always be my favorite, and Peter is one of my favorite rock vocalists of all time.
I liked it when Ray Wilson sang for genesis. The guy from Stiltskin who did the Levi's ad in the UK don't know if it was everywhere else?
Then Phil got all flighty and the rest of the band called themselves "Mike and Mechanics" and made a bunch of hits.
@jksgameshelf3378 I think he was being facetious with the "settled" 😅 Trick of the Tale was a great start to the Collins era, what an album.
As a kid, this was my first introduction to Peter Gabriel. Was too young to understand the innuendos in the song.. still listen to it today with" adult ears"
I was today years old when I realised what these lyrics actually mean...lol...
@@juneseghni The best part is that, at that time, George Michael's "I Want Your Sex" got no radio play in the US for being "too explicit", while "Sledgehammer" (with much raunchier lyrics) occupied the #1 spot in the US Charts.
I'm pretty sure this song (well, especially the video) was my first dip into Peter Gabriel as well. And yeah, all those innuendos went right over my head... Then again I also not an native english speaker. x)
💯
@@edgarvanoostrum8450
Amen
Games without frontiers is, in my opinion, his best song
Yes❤😊
Great song!
Great song, but I'm going to have to say Solsbury Hill IMO.
Backing vocals by Kate Bush
I love that song.. ❤
I saw Genesis in 1974, I was 14 years old. Phil Collins on drums, Peter Gabriel on vocals. Blew my mind.❤😊
Tony Levin is such a kickass, highly influential bass player, even came up with new ways to play such a rocking bass that became a signature foundation for Peter Gabriel.
The video for this won video of the year, and was groundbreaking. Other songs of his you could check out are “shock the monkey” “big time” “games without frontiers” “in your eyes” “solsbury hill”. All are worth a listen, IMO.
Absolutely!
Add “Don’t Give Up” (duet with Kate Bush), and you’ve got a killer PG playlist.
Not to mention all his work while Genesis was still together
And Biko - masterpiece!
The soundtrack of my youth.
*The video for this song is the most-played in MTV history. More than 'Thriller', 'Billie Jean', 'Take On Me', 'Bohemian Rapsody' or any other iconic video.*
Having always been distracted by the video now, finally paying full attention to the lyrics, I can see why they gave us claymation & dancing chickens 😂
I am a huge metalhead, but this is in my top 5 songs of all time.
Peter Gabriel is one of the singular artists of the past 50 years. He was a key creative force behind one of the most important progressive rock groups (Genesis). It is accurate to say he became more “pop” but without any diminishment of his art. Then turned his attention and brought notoriety to artists from around the world. You should react to the live version of In Your Eyes. Extraordinary.
I absolutely adore Peter Gabriel as a solo artist. And I love Genesis, but prefer the Phil Collins era. I love the love prog rock/pop, but Genesis with PG doesn't vibe for me.
I think Gabriel references his departure from Genesis and that influence here with the lyrics, "I kicked the habit, shed my skin, this is the new stuff, I go dancing in". His previous solo albums were similar to what he did with Genesis, but this one was very different.
Great song and great video 💯🔥 would love some more Peter Gabriel and Genesis with PG reactions in the future 👍
Peter was Genesis frontman / lead singer and when he left the band Phil Collins took over as lead singer . His duet with Kate Bush " Don't Give Up " is iconic .
This one next!
Peter Gabriel was the frontman/vocalist for Genesis. He wanted to explore a solo career, so left and formed his own band.
He got session musicians to record his music for an album and tour. He didn’t form a band. He’s solo now and was then.
Peter Gabriel was the main vocalist and songwriter for Genesis. He left Genesis because he wanted to go in a different musical direction. Do yourself a favor and watch the video for this song. It's great! Lots of claymation and effects before they were commonplace in music videos. Also, I'd say that Genesis was more pop than Peter Gabriel, he's very artsy. He's done a lot of different music with various artists to give them exposure. He's a human rights activist. A couple of his best political statements songs are 'Biko', about a South African anti-apartheid activist Stephen Biko who was beaten to death by South African police. Also, 'Games Without Frontiers' about the childish actions of world leaders. 'Shock The Monkey ' (about jealousy) and 'Red Rain' are also great. He has a big catalog of music both with Genesis, an individual artist and as a collaborator.
Great video! Though ‘Games Without Frontiers’ is one of my favorite songs ever. Your girl Kate Bush sings backing vocals on that one. Jeux sans frontières…
When I was in the Army I was in the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry division, the "Sledgehammer" brigade. We literally listened to this song EVERY duty day after morning PT, and I never got sick of it. Still one of my favorite songs of his, but he has a great catalog.
I've met Peter Gabriel's bassist Tony Levin several times.... So Talented! Also played in King Crimson.
Also plays in Liquid Tension Experiment
@@liquidshadows79And Stick Men
Should have played the actual music video, Peter was the lead singer of Genesis then left to spend time with his family and his solo career. Phil Collins then took over lead vocals. Mike Rutherford was Bassist and Guitarist who also had a side project with Mike and The Mechanics. You should react to Solsbury Hill about Peter Gabriel's experience leaving the band. Also Mike and The Mechanics emotion song called "The Living Years" about Mike losing his father.
Big Time, off the same album, unbelievably funky.
In your eyes, solsbury hill and don't give up are other great songs by him 😊
Start with early material before jumping to 1987
Solsbury Hill - yes
Games Without Frontiers
Peter Gabriel was the lead singer of Genesis. Phil Collins took that role on after he left.
Peter Gabriel is touring later this year. FRONT ROW CENTER here in Dallas. Thanks to a good friend. This song is one of my favorites. The video was so innovative for it's time. Love you guys!!
Who is Peter Gabriel? He's the original front man of Genesis when Phil Collins was just playing drums and singing backing vocals. If you want a real treat you should listen to Peter Gabriel on Genesis' prog epic "Supper's Ready"
Peter Gabriel has a huge catalog of incredible pieces. He is often the writer & the director of many of them. He was the original lead singer for Genesis and then went onto do his own work. His new video for 'In Your Eyes' is pretty fantastic. His others are: Big Time, Shock the Monkey, Solsbury Hill, Games Without Frontiers, etc. Keep enjoying!
Solsbury Hill is pure beauty from Peter Gabriel. It's got that Genesis prog thing with acoustic folk vibe.
Lots of fantastic songs written and performed by Peter Gabriel, a real timeless talent. i recommend : Digging In The Dirt
I forgot about Digging In The Dirt. Such a great track. Thanks for reminding me.
Agree, such a great song, doesn't seem to get the love it deserves. I think it might be my favourite PG song (though I'm partial to Mercy Street as well.) Great video too, as per usual with that era Peter Gabriel.
The live version of Digging is epic!
If you guys do Digging In the Dirt, it's gotta be the live version from Secret World Live. Paula Cole singing with him on that whole album is phenomenal.
@@ianfortier6796 Amen, *other* Ian! 😁 Love Paula Cole too, not sure what she's been up to lately, but she seemed everywhere back in the late 90s-early aughts.
Big Time, Games Without Frontiers, Red Rain, and Shock the Monkey are Peter Gabriel songs, too.
I wish they listen to early progressive Genesis, it would amaze them
The Return of the Giant Hogweed, Apocalypse in 9/8, Back in NYC…
They 'd be soooooo bored
@@sobrevalorado the most interesting music on the planet is boring? Ok
This cut is cold blooded and the video is fire!
The official video is trippy af! He always had the best videos!
By the way, Paper Lace did “The Night Chicago Died”.
When I was a little kid we lived in the UK and Peter Gabriel had a country house a few miles down the road from us. Amazing song - One of the best from the age of videos - not watching the video is criminal…..
A tiny bit more on Genesis: Peter Gabriel was the vocalist, and wrote some of the lyrics and music. Phil Collins was the drummer and sang backing vocals. After Peter Gabriel left in '75, Phil Collins took over vocals. When Genesis toured, they had a second drummer so that Phil Collins could front the band as vocalist. Bill Bruford (ex Yes, and King Crimson) played drums for Genesis on tour (Edit: 1976).
Best Wishes, Chaps. ☮
Hollywood, you should watch the MV.
Edit: @Roger Daly gives a better, more complete list of Genesis's touring drummers below.
I'll add, when Peter Gabriel left Genesis a lot of fans thought they were over (cedfku). However, when Phil Collins stepped up to sing lead, pretty much everyone shut up. Phil filled the role magnificently.
Best Wishes, All. ☮
Bill Bruford only toured with them in 1976. From 1977 - 1992 & 2007 the touring drummer was Chester Thompson. Last year Phil's son Nic was their drummer.
@@rogerdaly6326 Thank you. Good comments. I knew Bill spent a lot of his time playing with KC or his own bands, and not touring with Genesis, but my comment was misleading. So - Thank you for clearing up. I'll go fix it.
Best Wishes. ☮
@@rogerdaly6326Chester kicked ass.
Sledgehammer was the first single to be taken from Peter's fifth solo studio album So, and was released on 21 April 1986. 'Sledgehammer'
When PG was in Genesis, he was the singer and primary songwriter. Phil Collins was the drummer of Genesis at the same time (but not the original drummer). Genesis at that time was a Progressive Rock band, similar to Yes, and King Crimson. After PG left in 1977 and Phil took over on vocals, they both became Pop acts by the mid-80’s. In fact, the same time that Sledgehammer was popular, so was Invisible Touch by Genesis. Both songs came out in ‘86.
Kinda on track with your comment but just to tweak a bit...Peter was the man behind most of the lyrics written during his time with Genesis (though not all). Meanwhile Tony Banks was the main music writer and gatekeeper of what would be accepted or tossed -though Mike Rutherford also played a big role as well -Phil and Steve were junior members. Take the Lamb album. Peter wrote the lyrics in isolation from the band while the band wrote virtually all the music away from Pete. Then they would lay this all together and adjust accordingly.. This becomes even more evident when Peter left and Genesis songs remained sounding like Genesis songs even as they evolved while Peter NEVER wrote anything that sounded like old Genesis. Also: though Phil was not the original drummer, it would be laughable to not consider him their only drummer -he missed their first "album" which really didn't count and wasn't on the second album, Trespass but after that every single studio album thereafter except their very last one was Phil the drummer (12 albums?). Yes, Chester Thompson was a hired gun on drums for the live shows but that was it, he didn't play or participate on a single studio effort -it was all Phil on drums all the time -vocals and drums. But yes, they did achieve superstardom as more of a pop trio eventually, though there was always a thread of prog to be found on every album they put out.
@@Vince-lq3ve Yeah, definitely their first few outings without PG were still fairly Proggy, while Gabriel was still experimental, but definitely not Prog after he went solo, despite working with Tony Levin and Fripp. Thanks for the additional info.
Missed the live but here I am! What a video! Always show up for my Trash Talkers and Peter Gabriel!
Peter Gabriel is one of those with a deep deep catalogue. He also started WOMAD: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Music,_Arts_and_Dance. Hard to pick a favorite from all his greats but "Red Rain" is probably top of my list.
He did Red Rain live last night in Frankfurt, Germany. Apocalyptic.
The claymation video on MTV for this was a huge part of this songs popularity.
I'm 60 now, and this song is one of my perpetual favorites. I loved to dance to it then, and I still feel it now. There is a great video of Peter Gabriel performing this last month in Spain. He still has his voice! Fruit Cage is witty and clever, which can be considered more fun than the blatant sexuality of lyrics today. His sequel to this song is Steam. Hit it!
Love Peter and Kate Bush. He’s one of the greatest artist….composing and lyricist. This album was released when I was in high school. His videos were cutting edge when it came out.
Great reaction, brothers🤙🏾🤙🏾🎼
That bass line is legendary
Early Gabriel first
" Games Without Frontiers( Kate Bush backing vocals).
if you watch the live performance of this song, it pretty much removes all doubt what he is talking about.
OMG
I couldnt WAIT to see this and it's a damn lyric video.
Loved the looks on hollywoods face!!! Lmao!🤣😂
Probably one of my favorite songs🤘🏼watching the music video on Mtv/VH1 as a kid is one of my fondest memories.
i remember Paper Lace. Billy Don't Be A Hero. i loved that song! Peter Gabriel has some great songs! he is such an activist for human rights!
He has so many more amazing songs! I love Here Comes the Flood, Talk to Me (which has bagpipes and guitar blended beautifully), Don't Give Up, Shock the Monkey, In Your Eyes (one of his most popular songs), and so many more songs. His live performances are the best!
The funky guitar sunk in the mix is blazing.
I loved this song when it came out. I didn't understand it but the video was weird and his voice is amazing.
Peter Gabriel is so much more than a 'Pop' singer. He is a brilliant musician, composer and singer who brought new concepts in percussion and a world view to his music. Please try the following: Biko, San Jacento, In Your Eyes, Don't give up, Not One Of Us, Sky Blue, I Grieve, and I highly recommend the live version of In Your Eyes from the secret world tour. Once you see that, you will understand....trust me.
Great choice, guys!
Great song, but you MUST watch the video!
In case you do more Peter G, please do "Mercy Street".
It's a work of art.
Yes, Mercy Street
If you want more of Peter Gabriel in this style, check out Big Time.
i've seen him last week in Paris, it was sooooo good ! I grew up listening to Peter Gabriel :)
The video is extraordinary, ahead of its time, really a master piece. Peter Gabriel is a genius.
Peter plays a few instruments, but he’s almost exclusively the songwriter/singer. Tony Levin on bass, David Rhodes on guitar, and Manu Katché on drums.
Peter Gabriel was the lead-singer of Genesis before Collins. Collins was already drummer at that time. When Gabriel left, Collins took over vocals. Actually Gabriel is THE Genesis leadsinger, though Genesis was a big Pop-band after Gabriel. Gabriel was one of the big ones in the 70ies, progrock, flamboyent.
God bless the 80's. Great music, weird videos with amazing advancements in visual FX (practical and digital/animation).
“We do what we’re told” is a great song him.
And the live versions are amazing
As well as vocals, Peter plays keyboards and flute. Although Peter is best known as a Prog Rock artist, and very strong promoter of World Music, one of his early loves was Stax and Atlantic Records, and this is a nod to that soul sound. This was his commercial break though single to the larger main stream and was on his 5th solo album. He was already very successful and had a very loyal fanbase following on from his days as frontman for Genesis. With often many years passing between album releases, his fans are always eager to see his latest creative arena concerts. Peter is involved in so many side projects, and he owns his own recording studio so he can take his time, fans have always had to be patient for any new material. He began his musical journey in 1965, but decades later, at the age of 73, he is currently on a world tour to promote a new album, called 'i/o', as yet fully unreleased, but hopefully will be by the end of 2023. He is releasing a download track one at a time on each full moon of the month.
I’ve never seen an unanimated version of this hit. I thinks it one of the most played videos of all time on MTV
You guys need to dip your toes in to Gabriel led Genesis, the album's nursery cryme foxtrot and selling England by the pound are works of art, literally.
Also, The Lamb 👍
Yes, the flute playing is Peter. There is a full band behind him on this track, the amazing Tony Levin on bass, Manu Katche on drums, David Rhodes on guitar, and producer Daniel Lanois on guitar.
Genesis was actually 4 members...Phil Collins,Peter Gabriel,Tony Banks and Michael Rutherford( Mike and the Mechanics)!
er Steve Hackett is knocking at your door -5 members for a good while.
This came out the year I graduated from High School and it was a HUGE song hit especially on MTV. After graduation at Panama City Beach this song was on HEAVY rotation up and down the STRIP and at all the parties. When I hear it thats what pops in my head.. what a time to be a teenager.❤❤❤
The music video to Sledgehammer is epic. Watch it now. So many great Peter Gabriel songs, I saw him in the late 70’s and I’m seeing him this year. Yeah, he’s that good. 😁
Saw him in Frankfurt, Germany last night. Killer, as always.
Super entertaining reaction guys! So many great Peter Gabriel songs!
Damn, I became a fan of yall last week. Not that it matters, but I had no clue yall were younger than me. I'm a 79 baby and I grew up on stuff like this. Yes, the innuendos from yesteryear were def something different, and no hes not wanting to get a job in construction. lmfao. It would be really cool to hang with you cats and break down some bars.
Hollywood, Smoke, you guys are just plain great!
🙏🙏🙏
In your eyes. Live version from the secret world tour is a great track Peter Gabriel was lead vocal on some of Genesis’s greatest tracks. Suppers ready and Firth of Forth and many more
Peter Gabriel could never be described as pop music
Peter was lead singer of Genesis until he left in 1975 to go solo. Peter had been solo for about 9 years at this time. As you can guess this song is about being a sexual “sledgehammer”. When he left, Genesis looked for a new singer, but Phil Collins threw up the idea that maybe he should try it and it stuck, so Phil took over drum duty and also began to sang as well. Peter plays piano and keyboards as well. Peter had a really great band backing him during his solo careers with Phil Collins even joining him live in the early 80’s.
Great video, great song.
Oh, I wish you would have chosen the Official Video. So cool, and groundbreaking.
Early Peter Gabriel first. ( pre 87)
1) Games Without Frontiers ( Kate Bush backing vocals
2) Biko
Such an amazing artist.
Y’all read my mind, I was JUST listening to this song earlier today! It just randomly popped in my head and I had to hear it, so I watched the video on TH-cam.
You guys REALLY need to see the official video for this song. There is no way to describe it here.
As we say here in Texas; Y'all be safe.
The official music video is the most inventive video ever made!!!
It's incredible!
Check it out!
I was at a Peter Gabriel concert in Ottawa, Canada -1988. It was very, very theatrical as well as sounding great. Yup......he did Sledgehammer - without dancing chickens :-)
Thanks for the reaction guys! Cheers!
At one point in time, the most requested music video on MTV (y'know, when MTV actually played music videos).
Still an amazing song by an amazing artist. Honestly, I'd suggest revisiting this song with the official MV, if you're able to (copyright possibility and all; we don't want you guys to get struck, if at all possible).
The video goes great with the song.
He’s a genius and surrounds himself with brilliant musicians. He’ll be in tour in the U.S. this fall - go if you can. Similar PG songs to check out - Shock the Monkey, I Have the Touch, Kiss That Frog, Steam, and Big Time.
Beautiful PG songs - Here Comes the Flood, Secret World, In Your Eyes, Come Talk to Me, Only Us
Seeing his lard bucket form up there doing the same old moves as 40 years or more ago is not entertaining.
Genesis was originally a five piece band, with Phil Collins on drums and Peter Gabriel on vocals. Phil took over the vocal duties when Peter left. In 1976 they became a trio, and starting with the 1978 hit Follow You Follow Me they started embracing pop. Throughout the 80s they were one of the best-selling bands - in parallel with Phil Collins blowing up as a solo artist. Of course, they will always be remembered for being the premier purveyors of progressive rock in the 70s.
@@firemarble Couldn’t agree more. Tony Banks is the unsung hero in my book, his sense of harmony, his chord sequencing is unsurpassed and it’s what made the pop songs Genesis wrote so incredibly interesting. All of which is sadly missing in today’s top 40 music.
Peter is a musical God, always has been, always will. Him, David Byrne and Robert Palmer had some of the best beats in history.
Big Time is another good one.
You GOTTA watch the video! It's brilliant and goes along with the lyrics.
The metaphor of the lyrics,,,
paper thin.
The groove?
Thick as a brick.
You gotta react to the cover Harry Styles did of this song on Howard Stern’s morning show.
Howard is apparently cool with copyright stuff cuz there’s a ton of em on TH-cam.
The claymation for this was done by Aardman studios, who went on to make the Wallace and Gromit movies.
Peter Gabriel was the singer in Genesis. When he left Phil Collins took over as vocalist and they became a 3 piece.
Gabriel was the singer when Genesis was a five piece. Collins was drummer & backing vocals. PG left in 1975 for a solo career.
My dad made mix tapes from LP records to play at parties and dances in the mid 80s. I got to listen to the records when I was old enough to use a record player. Paperlace was a one hit wonder in America but that song made the "Now that's what I call blah blah" type compilations of the time from K-TEL and other record companies. They had names like Full Tilt or Super Hits of the Super 70s. Some real classics as well as rare gold in there.
Otis Redding was Peter‘s favourite singer in the 60‘s and the writing of Sledgehammer owes a lot to Peter‘s love of Soul music.
Peter Gabriel is primarily a vocalist but also plays some piano and flute. He was one of the founding members of Genesis which Phil Collins joined early on. For a bunch of of the time that Peter was with the band they were a 5-peice with Peter on Vocals, Phil, on drums and backing vocals, Tony Banks on keys, Steve Hackett on Lead Guitar, and Mike Rutherford on Base and Guitar.
Some Peter Gabriel Genesis songs to look at: Firth of Fifth, Carpet Crawlers, Watcher of the Skies, The Knife (pre Phil and Steve)
Some solo Peter Gabriel: Salisbury Hill, Red Rain, Digging in the Dirt, Signal to Noise
In Genesis, when Peter Gabriel was in the band, he was the lead singer, and it was a 5 piece band. Peter Gabriel-lead singer, Steve Hackett-lead guitar, Mike Rutherford-Bass, Tony Banks-Keys, and Phil Collins-Drums. Phil Collins didn't start singing until AFTER Gabriel left.
Collins sang *throughout* Peter’s time with Genesis.
What an absolute tune! You need to do Rock me Amadeus by Falco next, another 80s beast!
I showed up for squarehammers and now we got sledges. Hell yeah. Rock on bros. And a whoop to my fellow juggalo.
So my dad used to have this really bad ass Peter Gabriel concert on VHS and as a very young child it was one of my most favorite things to watch.... MORE Peter Gabriel please!
So cool to see you dudes enjoying this
Peter Gabriel is not shy when it comes to singing about sex and sensuality.