Peter Gabriel

Founder, Real World Studios; Advisory Council Member
  • Director's Office

Peter Gabriel co-founded the group Genesis in 1966; the band went on to make seven albums. After leaving Genesis in 1975, he has since made 11 solo albums and three film soundtracks, including Birdy (1984), The Last Temptation of Christ (1989), and Rabbit Proof Fence (2002). In 1980 he founded WOMAD (World of Music Arts and Dance), which has presented over 150 festivals in over 40 countries. Gabriel’s human rights work includes coordination of and participation in the Human Rights Now! Tour (1988 with Amnesty International), after which he co-founded Witness.org, giving cameras and computers to human rights activists. In 2008, Witness created the Hub, and in 2012 launched the Human Rights Channel with YouTube and Storyfull. In 2000 with Richard Branson he co-founded the Elders.org; launched by Nelson Mandela in 2007, the organization creates a small group of elders to assist with global problems and conflict resolution. In 1987 he founded the Real World Group of companies. In 1999, he co-founded OD2, which became the leading European platform provider for the distribution of online music. He also co-founded thefilter.com, We7.com, and Cuesongs, and is currently developing several projects, including a visual language for the Internet. Gabriel has received the Man of Peace Award (presented by the Nobel Peace Laureates), the Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, the Quadriga Award, and BT’s Digital Music Pioneer Award. He has received five Grammy awards for his music and video work and an Oscar nomination.