Peter no longer a Stranger

Gabriel in Kate wish

PETER GABRIEL is hoping to enjoy his own Stranger Things chart lift when he makes his comeback later this year.

The former Genesis man hasn’t issued an LP of original songs since 2002’s UP. And he wouldn’t mind getting a leg up the charts like his friend and collaborator Kate Bush did by featuring in the hit Netflix show.

Gabriel told me: “There’s hope for all of us. It’s lovely to see Kate like that, my kids are fans of Stranger Things – and my youngest especially – suddenly Kate appeared.”

Perhaps another major streaming show, Obi-Wan Kenobi, can use him on their next series instead?

Gabriel laughed: “That’s the dream. Actually they did use me in Stranger Things, Bowie’s Heroes song I covered. It’s a great promotional tool.”

WIRED caught up with Gabriel as he was honoured with the top prize The Silver Clef award in London yesterday.

He spilled details of his first original new music in two decades: “There’s about 23 songs that are about nearing some stage of completion, the plan is to get some of them out by the end of the year. I worked with Brian Eno a couple of times so it’s a lot of fun.

“I’m back on the treadmill again. And there will probably be shows too, that’s what we are discussing at the moment.”

It’s been eight years since Gabriel last toured the UK and he admitted: “I’m always fitter at the end of the tour than I am at the beginning. I’ve got to get the voice working – it is a muscle that people forget.

“I’m a bit lazy with homework, always have been, but I know it pays.”

So what does a 72-year-old rock legend require to get him back on the road these days?

“Palm tress, dancing girls and a bowl of nuts,” he dead-panned.

People had hoped he might take part in the recent farewell Genesis shows, but Gabriel added: “I went to see the last gig. I thought well, I was there at the beginning, so I should be there at the end.

“I wasn’t asked to be involved but I’m a very happy spectator.”