Peter Gabriel recently offered reflections on his family life, career, and legacy during an interview marking his 75th birthday. He spoke candidly about the challenges and growth he and his family have experienced over the years.

Gabriel is a father to three children: Joely, 53, who works as an independent film producer and has a 17-year-old daughter; Mathew, 21, a professional footballer for Austria Salzburg; and Nicholas, 25, a drummer who toured with his father during Gabriel’s final solo tour from 2017 to 2019, as well as Genesis’s concluding tour in 2021 and 2022. He acknowledged the difficulties that his family has faced, particularly in light of his public life and personal history, including multiple marriages. “There’s a lot been thrown at them over the years,” Gabriel said, adding that his children have now reached a place of understanding and reconciliation. Mathew, for instance, confronted the family’s public past directly, noting the visibility of Gabriel’s history of three marriages yet emphasizing that they are now “good” and it “all works out in the end.”

Gabriel shared a story he uses to advise his children on engaging with the public, recounting an encounter in the early 1980s when he approached snooker champion Steve Davis for an autograph. Davis reportedly did not acknowledge him at all, handing over the autograph without looking up. The musician uses this as a reminder to his children about the enduring impression a single moment can make.

Despite past difficulties, Gabriel described his current relationship with his first wife as remarkably improved, noting they are “closer than we’ve been since we were married.” He emphasized mutual culpability in their past conflicts and acknowledged his own personal growth over time.

Looking back on his distinguished career, Gabriel mentioned an upcoming milestone: on November 14, he will be formally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He expressed surprise that this had not occurred earlier, given his extensive record sales, exceeding those of nearly every artist except Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson, both as a solo performer and member of a band. Gabriel learned of this unique achievement by chance through a Billboard article, which contrasted with past characterizations of him as anxious about sales—something he now denies.

On the topic of his artistic identity, Gabriel described himself as a musician primarily motivated by “the love of playing.” He recounted transitioning from being “a drummer that sang” to “a singer that drummed” and expressed regret that he can no longer play the drums as he once did, acknowledging that drumming has been central to his life since childhood.

Gabriel concluded by reflecting on the significance of turning 75, describing it as both a milestone and a “millstone.” Despite this, he said the interview was his own initiative, signaling a renewed sense of pride and well-being. His publicist and assistant expressed joy at his recovery from past struggles with alcohol and his current vitality. Together they marveled at his resilience, underscoring the personal triumph behind his enduring public presence.