Peter Gabriel (1977)

Peter Gabriel is the debut studio album by the English singer-songwriter Peter Gabriel, released in February 1977 by Charisma Records. After his departure from the progressive rock band Genesis was made public in 1975, Gabriel took a break to concentrate on his family life. In 1976, he began writing material for a solo album and met producer Bob Ezrin, who agreed to produce it. Gabriel hired several additional musicians, including guitarist Robert Fripp and bassist Tony Levin.

The album was later known as Peter Gabriel I or Car, referring to the album's artwork produced by Hipgnosis. Some music streaming services, including Gabriel's own Bandcamp page, refer to it as Peter Gabriel 1: Car.

Peter Gabriel reached No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 38 on the US Billboard 200. It is certified gold in both countries for selling 100,000 and 500,000 copies, respectively. "Solsbury Hill" was the first single, and reached No. 13 in the UK. Gabriel supported the album with a tour of Europe and the US during 1977, featuring a seven-piece band including Fripp and Levin. The album was remastered in 2002 and 2011.

Background and recording

In August 1975, Gabriel's departure from the progressive rock band Genesis was made public. Early in their tour supporting the album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974), he had announced to the group his decision to leave, citing estrangement from the other members, the strains on his marriage, and his wish to spend more time with his family. He also wanted to avoid giving the impression of quitting Genesis "to run off and do my solo album", and took a break. Genesis drummer Phil Collins, who later replaced Gabriel as lead vocalist, said the band had known about Gabriel's departure for some time. When they learned that Gabriel was to make a solo album, they sent a telegram wishing him luck.

Gabriel relocated to New York City, where he rented a flat from Garson Kanin. During this time, Gabriel would write songs on a piano in Canadian producer Bob Ezrin's apartment on 52nd Street. Ezrin's favourite ideas were then recorded on a cassette, after which Gabriel would refine these ideas further in England. By mid-1976, Gabriel had recorded a collection of demos for his album. One of these songs, "Excuse Me", had been written in 1975 with poet Martin Hall; the two men's creative partnership predated Gabriel's departure from Genesis. He considered several producers, including Todd Rundgren and Jack Nitzsche. Someone suggested Bob Ezrin, known for working with Alice Cooper, Lou Reed and Kiss. Gabriel played his demo of "Here Comes the Flood" to Ezrin, who enjoyed the track so much he went to bed that night singing the song. He said: "We understood each other. We talked. There was an excellent rapport immediately – a human rapport – and that was what I was looking for above all." The pair agreed to share production duties; Ezrin led the "American rhythm sections" and "very rock passages", while Gabriel led the "more European things" and "quiet parts".

Peter Gabriel was recorded at The Soundstage in Toronto in the autumn of 1976, with additional sessions at Morgan and Olympic Studios in London. Gabriel was uncertain of what parts he could and could not perform, so he agreed to Ezrin's choice of musicians, including bassist Tony Levin. Some of the musicians, including synthesizer player Larry Fast and guitarist Robert Fripp, were selected by Gabriel to tackle his soundscape-oriented ideas. Roy Bittan of the E Street Band was originally contacted to contribute keyboards, but management prevented him from participating, so Gabriel selected Jozef Chirowski as his keyboardist instead. Ezrin was responsible for recruiting the remaining musicians, including drummer Allan Schwartzberg, percussionist Jimmy Maelen, and guitarist Steve Hunter. Many of the session musicians had previously worked together on some Lou Reed and Alice Cooper records.

Gabriel described the Toronto sessions as "fast, exciting and hot". After two days of hearing Levin play, Gabriel invited him to play on the tour. During the sessions in Toronto, Fast recalled that Ezrin wore a whistle around his neck and would blow the whistle at the session musicians when he was displeased with their playing. After the sessions concluded in Toronto, a dinner was arranged at the Napoleon Restaurant where Ezrin bestowed gifts upon the session musicians, which included a tuba for Levin and a gold antique watch for Fripp.