An account of the life and work of one of the world's most successful rock musicians. Educated at a typical British public school, Gabriel was primarily attracted to music and composing. As lead singer of the group Genesis, Gabriel became known for his radical changes in personal appearance and stage presence, but he left the group at the height of their popularity. Bright analyzes the ten years that followed, the periods of reclusiveness which alternated with painstaking work on new records and his growing success as a solo performer. He also looks at the major influences on Gabriel's life - the books and non-musical ideas, his marriage and family life and suggests how they have contributed to his work. Spencer Bright has relied upon conversations with some of Gabriel's closest associates as well as Gabriel himself to present a portrait of the winner of the 1987 best male artist award.