Peter Gabriel Touring with a Band in North America 2012

... including Philadelphia on 21 September!  He's also hitting Las Vegas (where I guess hitting is the operative word), the Hollywood Bowl and Red Rocks at Colorado.

The Back to Front tour is in celebration of the 25th (or it 26th?) release of the monster hit album So.  Gabriel is hoping to reunite all of the band members from the This Way Up tour of 1986 & 1987.  Apparently, Tony Levin (the bassist)  is a yes. (PHEW!)  I'd love to see Manu Katche on drums backing PG again, but rumor is that he's having back problems, so it's most likely that Ged Lynch may be on the sticks.

There are barely any details being released other then where and when the gigs are and that Ticketbastard -- er, Ticketmaster seems to be in charge of the tickets again.  You will need a password to get into the pre-sale.  There will be soundchecks and soundcheck ticket packages for most of the gigs.  Check out Petergabriel.com for all of the latest tidbits.

I'm really grateful that Real World made this announcement now while I am freaking out about my Mom having to go under the knife for a knee replacement in less than 48 hours.  Tickets for the Philly show go on sale 5 days after she gets her first dose of painkillers.  I figure out that by the time the drugs wear off, it'll be nearly a month after the Peter Gabriel concert.  And THEN she'll kill me when she finds out how many hundreds of dollars I dropped down for just one ticket.

Well, I've packed a lot of living into my 42 years.  At least I'll die with a smile on my face.

Peter Performing in Germany

Peter Gabriel and the New Blood Orchestra is currently doing a short tour of German tour, wrapping up in Poland's Life Festival.  Peter is currently scheduled to perform with the orchestra a final time in the Hop Farm Music Festival on 29 June in the UK -- but you never know where the orchestra is going to pop up again. 

Peter is supposedly going to making an autumn tour announcement in the June Full Moon Club Video.  Since this tour is apparently to promote the 25th (and a half) anniversary of the release of So, the tour may be a variation on the 1986 and 1987 This Way Up tour.  That's the rumor, anyway.  We'll find out in June whether there will be a tour and where it will be.  Rumor is that it will be in North America.

While the rumor mill goes on, New Blood Live has been released.  I'm enjoying it more than New Blood.  I'll write a reveiw of it eventually.  My mother is scheduled for knee-replacement surgery later this month and I'm busier than any bee.  Man -- no wonder worker bees only live a few weeks.  They must die of exhaustion.

Secret World Live  is set for a fancy-schmancy blu-ray release on 2 July.  It had been previously released on regular DVD and  before that VHS.  Remember VHS?  Wasn't it cool?  And the freakin' VHS players lasted longer than the DVD players.  Considering that POV  is set to be released in a new version on DVD at around the same time, it looks like there's going to be a lot of PG merchandise in the shops before the holidays.

Hmmm.  Suddenly I have a craving for alphabet soup.

Petergabriel -- the Racehorse

Something odd popped up on Google News under the search term "peter gabriel" -- he was running in a race in New Zealand.  I wondered at the sudden career change, considering that Peter Gabriel is not exactly a gold-medal winning athlete.

It turns out Petergabriel was a thoroughbred racehorse and not the singer-songwriter.  In the United States, if you want to name your racehorse after a living person, you have to get written permission from that person.  I'm not sure what the Jockey Club rules are in New Zealand.

This Petergabriel  was foaled on 10 October 2005.  He's a son of Senor Pete.  He's listed as brown, which usually means dark bay (translation: mostly black with brown highlights.)  He's won just over $33,000 (NZ). 

And he's a gelding.

Anyway, I hope this is one racehorse that doesn't wind up in a can or as an entree.

Taking a Little Break

My mother is having knee replacement surgery next month. This is on top of her two fractured vertebrae, her fractured pelvis (healing fine, thank you) and cracked leg. So you know what that means -- a break for me from writing that doesn't make me any money, such as this blog.

My only good news at the moment was that I won a writing contest over at Knoji. I won a $200 gift voucher to Amazon.com. I bought a heating pad for Mom, treats for the dogs, filter cartridges for the fish, two Real World CDs I had back in the 1990s, pre-ordered Peter Gabriel's Live Blood and several books on horses in art, dogs in art, Genetics for Dummies and a biography of Caligula.

I've got books to read and a mother and pets to care for. See you later!

Peter Gabriel News for March 30, 2012

Just a couple of quick notes and then I'm off to collapse again.

New gigs for Peter Gabriel and the New Blood Orchestra:

13 May Life Festival (next to Auschwitz) Poland

29 June Hop Farm Music Festival Kent, UK

The Classic ALbums: So rockumentary aired on BBC4 and a few PG fans took pity on us poor, pathetic, clucking North American PG fans and posted it to YouTube. Thanks to Meeks Geneis Cafe and Ovian. Here's the first 10 minutes to whet your appetite:

Sea Monsters (2007): National Geographic

In 2007, Peter Gabriel worked with old friends David Rhodes and Richard Evans to score a peculiar 3D film from National Geographic called Sea Monsters.  I was bitterly disappointed when the film came out because I am unable to see a 3D film because I have monocular vision. 

Last week, a PG fan kindly sent me this YouTube link of the entire film, about 40 minutes long.  Enjoy!

So Classic Album Episode

Just a quick blog post to let Peter Gabriel fans in the UK know that there will be an episode of the BBC 4 series, "Classic Albums" this Friday night at 21:00.

If you live in North America, you'll have to wait until the VH1 Classic cable channel decides to air the episode. If you're like me, you'll be watching You Tube like a hawk on the day after the UK show's premier.

If you live in Italy, chances are you already know about the Peter Gabriel box set back catalogue of CDs. Take it away, Petergabriel.com.

After a short delay, PG's full moon video for March 2012 went up.  There was not one word about the Rush Limbaugh/ Sarah Fluke controversy.  Perhaps PG is well past the episode and is looking forward to his multitude of future projects, including getting back into the studio.

Peter Gabriel Pissed Off At Rush Limbaugh

The man everyone loves to hate, Rush Limbaugh, has really sunk to a new low now. He's gone and pissed off Peter Gabriel. Gabriel, who could have given Jesus Christ lessons on turning the other cheek, today did the unusual action of asking his people to ask Limbaugh' people to never play his music again on his show.

Last week, Limbaugh eviscerated young college student Sandra Fluke because she testified before Congress in favor of goverment supported birth control. No, I don't get it, either. I just follow the Gabriel aspect. As Limbaugh was ranting against the young woman, he played "Slegehammer" in the background.

Limbaugh states that he was just joking when he described Flute as "a slut", but nobody's laughing -- especailly Gabriel, who today, on vacation in California, had one of his employees post on all of his official websites:

'Peter was appalled to learn that his music was linked to Rush Limbaugh's extraordinary attack on Sandra Flute.(sic) It is obvious from anyone that knows Peter's work that he would never approve such a use. He has asked his representatives to make sure his music is withdrawn and especially from these unfair aggressive and ignorant comments.'

Hopefully, the rest of Gabriel's vacation will go more smoothly. I wonder if PG picked up his staff member's spelling error. Probably not.

Peter Gabriel Releasing Many Products in 2012

...but, sadly, no new music. This information is from the pg-fr.com community forum and has not been announced by Real World. So take with a grain of salt.
PG is reportedly set to release:

* the 25th (or is it 26th?) So Anniversary Special Edition in September
* the CD to last year's New Blood in 3D concert video
* the 1994 concert film Secret World on blu-ray
* the 1987 concert film POV on DVD (different version than the VHS release and remixed sound)

He will be doing a short tour of Germany in May with the New New Blood Orchestra. But he's also planning to do a brief world tour in September with the more traditional rock band. Whether he will play at WOMAD's anniversary show in the UK is still unknown.

I won't be seeing any PG shows or any other concert pretty much for the rest of my life. My Mom is basically crippled now and needs constant attention (even though she insists that she doesn't.) Believe it or not, when I have to choose between Mom and PG, Mom wins. But I'm sure there will be many fans who will post reviews, YouTube videos or photos so PG that are housebound can live vicariously for a few minutes at least.

Peter Gabriel Asking for "Moon Effect" Studies

The February vlog from Peter Gabriel to his fans contained an exciting but brief bit of news, that he is back in the studio working on "fast, groove-based songs" but no samples were given. He spent far more time talking about the moon and its supposed effects on people and water.

Peter chose the moon as the symbol for his tours since 2002, but has yet to really learn any hard science about the moon. Or so he claims. I have a really hard time believing that he could be that much of an idiot than to believe in the so-called moon effect (such as there are more dog bites or murders during the full moon). Peter asked if any scientists could send him any information, but really, he should've just searched online. Or he could've hired one of his staff to do it.

But no, I guess it's down to the fans to do the work. Well, just in case Peter happens to see this, just click here.

The moon is beautiful, inspirational and a source of wonder and great mythology. The moon's affect on tides is an incredible thing. There is no need to dress up the moon in abilities that it has not been proven to have (unless it is presented as ficton.)

The moon is a great symbol. That won't change. But as for actual proof of the moon influence on people, dogs or even plants -- well, it just ain't there, kiddo.

Speaking of lunacies, I started a new blog, ReasonsNotToCommitSuicide. Can you tell that my life is circling the drain?

It's Peter Gabriel's Birthday

On this day in 1950, Peter Gabriel was born. He's done a lot since his birth, including capturing my heart, and I hope he outlives me. Perhaps if nobody wishes him a happy birthdy he won't get any older. (Well, too late for that, I guess.)

For the last few years, I've been sticking this image up on PG's Birthday. It is a Photoshopped image from the late lamented Solsbury Hill fan site.

PG is currently in Europe riding the waves of local respiratory infections, finalizing the So 25th anniversary special edition and (gasp!) working on new music.

Horrible Web Page Using Peter Gabriel's Music to Promote Religion

I was on Bing images tonight trying to find new Peter Gabriel images (you know, as you do) and came across this.

At first, it looks like a Peter Gabriel fan page, doesn't it? It has nice big images of PG and mentions lyrics to Against All Odds (the movie, I guess, not the Phil Collins single.) But then it starts talking about PG being bipolar (he isn't) and then mentions PG's song Perspective.

And that's when you realize that PG is being used to promote a Christian group in India called Perspectives.

Now that's just sick -- and really deceptive instead of perceptive. It also uses copyrighted material from professional photographers. One reason I have not monetized this blog is because if I don't make any money from it, I have freedom to use some of PG images used for promotion. And let's get real here -- churches are businesses.

Does Real World know about this crap? I doubt this was endorsed by PG, who keeps his spiritual opinions pretty private in the last decade.

Below is a YouTube video from a German TV broadcast in 1978.

Peter Gabriel to Have a Busy 2012

Peter Gabriel is already having a busy 2012. Around Christmas, he became a grandfather when his second daughter and sometime background vocalist Melanie gave birth to a boy named Ira. "I'm now officially old," Gabriel declaired during his January vlog to fans on his offical website. He apparently also somehow aquired a dog for his hotel in Sardinia. Due to the draconian UK quarantine laws, I guess the dog is staying in Sardinia.

Peter also participated in the SOPA protests; did a plea for the charity Bonobo Hope; is scheduled to film a "Classic Albums" documentary on So until 23 January (no knowing when the air date will be.) Later this year he has his father's 100th birthday party to attend in April and may be at the Pre-Grammy award festivities to honor his friend Sir Richard Branson.

And, oh yeah -- Peter is touring Germany in May. PG once again changed his mind so that the Germany dates will be with the New Blood Orchestra -- despite his inisiting last year that his work with orchestras was "put to bed". There may be more dates in the fall, but nothing has been figured out yet. PG gave "the fall" as his only clue as to where the tour would be. Perhaps Italy? (As in, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire?) Perhaps America, since Americans tend to say "fall" rather than "autumn"? If you haven't figured it out by now, PG likes to play with words and heads.

PG has mentioned that he is working on "new stuff" -- but don't get excited. He's been saying that since 1980. This year so far it appears that PG will have very little time in the studio. There is some noise that PG may score a Bollywood film for director Nila Madhab Panda.

As for me, things continue to be bad, but at least I managed to get my driver's license back. Mom had a terrible fall on New Year's Day and is losing control of her legs. She can no longer drive and needs help getting into and out of a car. Scince I took over car duties, Mom's intake of Xanax has dropped considerably. Now I know why her nerves were always shot. I thought it was me. Turns out it was having to face traffic on Baltimore Pike.

Articles of Peter Gabriel I've Written

Sorry for the self-indulgence, but I'm just trying to gather together the best of the many web articles I've done about Peter Gabriel's biography. Who knows -- maybe someone will enjoy reading these. Stranger things have happened. I didn't write the PG article in this Italian magazine but it's a good image and it's my blog so there.

Peter Gabriel, BC (Before Charterhouse)

Why Is Peter Gabriel So Slow?
Why do fish swim? Why do birds fly?

Black and White Photography Brings Out True Beauty Talks about the making of the So cover.

Sexy Hair Loss Solutions For Men Where I chronicle PG's losing battle against baldness.

Remember 1986? Peter Gabriel Asks Fans For Memories of So

Quick update this time around. If you have memories, memorabilia, press clippings, autographs or even weird diary entries realting to So, Gabriel's most popular album to date, Real World wants to hear from you.

In 2012, Gabriel is hoping to release a special anniversary edition of So, including the best of what fans submit. Entires close 9 January 2012.


I wonder if they'd like to read some So-inspired erotic dreams I had at the time?

Nah, I didn't think so.

Peter Gabriel Live at Letterman Concert Reivew and More

I finally managed the concert review from November 9. Enjoy.

In other Gabriel fun, I also wrote Top 10 Misconceptions About Peter Gabriel.

PG's touring wraps up today in Mexico for 2011. He may go back to New York City to check in on Witness and relatives, but usually he takes most of December off. This time around he has a great reason for staying at home -- his first grandchild, a boy, is expected in December.

My health continues to plummet, but at least now I can sit up. I'm still working on the new blog Dreaming of Peter which is now monetized. I'm also spending a lot of time trying to find new clients, since most of my old clients had a financially catastrophic 2011.

Had an interesting conversation with my Mom. We were watching a Rolling Stones concert. I asked Mom, "So -- does Keith Richards look more like a vampire or a zombie?"

"Zombie," Mom sanswered without hesitation. "You have to be good looking to be a vampire."

Anyway, let's end with an interview done with Jools Holland earlier this year:

Things Aren't So Great At the Moment

I'm still working on the review of Peter Gabriel at Live On Letterman. Since I'm not getting paid for the review, it has slipped down my priority list.

Peter and the New New Blood Orchestra went to South America for his final tour of 2011. Unfortunately, things got to a really rocky start at the SWU Music Festival in Brazil, which ultimately resulted in PG and his oldest daughter Anna receiving death threats from fans of a Brazilian band.

On my 42nd birthday (when PG played in Argentina) I had to go for an in-office, fully-awake-for-this uterine biopsy (which I think is the title of Stephen King's next novel.) The procedure had to be stopped because my cervix refused all admissions. Now I know what it's like to be raped by a Clydesdale. Why do doctors always say, "You may feel some discomfort" when they really mean, "You're gonna wish you were DEAD!"

Unfortunately, work in my profession has come to a crawling stop. Fortunately, this means I suddenly have time freed up to start a blog that may bring in some oney (unlike this one.) It'll be about lucid dreaming and is tentatively titled Dreaming of Peter. I'm including a link to it but as you can see it's not ready for prime time (or Google AdSense) just yet.

Just for the heck of it, I'll close this post with a YouTube video of PG's cover of the Kinks' "Waterloo Sunset." Until next time:

Still Recovering from Peter Gabriel "Live on Letterman" Gig

Eventually, I'll get enough energy to write a proper review. Some highlights:

* I sat about row 9, directly in front of PG's mike stand.
* Adam from Real World managed to get many Pg fans free tickets at the last minute.
* I got Ben Foster and Tom Cawley's atuographs and chatted with them for a little.
* PG did stop and give about a dozen fans autographs
* I got a nod, wave and a "Thank you" from PG
* This guy sat in front of me.

PG, Ben, Tom and the New Blood Orchestra are currently in South America for his last mini-tour of 2011.

In the meantime, here's a clip of PG being interveiwed by David Letterman:

Going to See Short Peter Gabriel Concert in New York City

Somehow I seem to have won a pair of virtual tickets to see Peter Gabriel and the latest incarnation of the New Blood Orchestra on the "Live at Letterman" music series. There was a very brief contest on for the forum members at petergabriel.com. Thanks to Adam at Real World for not forgetting about PG fans who dislike Facebook contests (or who are like me and are, erm, banned from PG's Facebook page.)

I got the good news on Wednesday, Nov 1 bit still haven't received my virtual ticket via email. If you're in the same boat I am in, emails will most likely not go out until Monday, Nov. 7.

There's been a few contests for these free (!) tickets on the Internet. You can only get in through these contests or by other sundry channels. You cannot purchase tickets through any outlet, even from The Late Show with David Letterman. The entire audience capacity at the Ed Sullivan Theatre is 1200, but this concert may be only 400 seats. Well, we'll find out when we get there.

Concert starts at 9pm but all ticket holders or "production guests" (ie -- your name is on the guest list) need to be at the Ed Sullivan Theater by 8pm sharp. We will NOT be getting in to the David Letterman show taped earlier that day, even Peter Gabriel is the guest musical artist.

Here's also the official Terms and Conditions for winning a coveted seat from Real World or whomever. Click over here to Real World's page. I'm sorry, but all constests are over. They were popping up so quick and entry time was so soon (and with me trying to figure out my unexpected NYC trip) I just did not have the time to post them all up.

Roll on Wednesday!

Peter Gabriel On David Letterman Nov. 9

Peter Gabriel and the latest incarnation of the New Blood Orchestra will perform on David Letterman in the Ed Sullivan Theatre on Wednesday, November 9. Good luck getting tickets! Peter has been in New York since last week (or so) in order to rehearse for the mini Mexico & South American tour later this month. Looks like he's decided to do a brief dress rehearsal.

The Village Voice is offering a competition to win one pair of tickets open until 5 pm EST Friday, November 3.

For those not familiar with David Letterman, PG will most likely do two songs, with only one going to broadcast. Many musical guests play an extra song just for the audience but whether PG will do this is unknown. He may also do a short interview with Letterman-- or not. And yes, Letterman is a fan. (At least, he was in 1994).

Last month in London, Real World managed to secure some pairs of tickets for PG fans on their mailing list for PG's concert with the BBC Orchestra. I'm looking at my email and still no message from Real World offering me a ticket. (Sigh.)