After avoiding the "prog" label during many of his early years, Peter Gabriel embraced it on Thursday night at the Progressive Music Awards in London, where he was named "Prog God."
According to the BBC, he received his award from comedian Bill Bailey and then extolled the virtues of one of rock's most villified genres.
"Despite prog probably being the most derided musical genre of all time there were – as today – a lot of extraordinary musicians trying to break down the barriers to reject the rules of music," he said.
He told the network backstage that he was "a lot more comfortable" with the "prog" label now than earlier in his career.
"It was genuinely pioneering at time," he said. "We didn't always get it right, but when it did work we could move people and get some magic happening.
"I see it all as a very healthy part of growing up."
Gabriel has been on a two-year tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his 1986 album, So, which featured the hits "Sledgehammer" and "Don't Give Up."
Here's a list of all of the Prog Music Award winners (via BBC):
- Limelight: Messenger
- Live Event: Rick Wakeman - Journey To The Centre Of The Earth 40th anniversary Tour
- Breakthrough: Syd Arthur
- Anthem: Anathema - Anathema
- The Storm Thorgerson Grand Design: Fish - A Fest Of Consequences
- Album of the Year: Transatlantic - Kaleidoscope
- Band of the Year: Dream Theater
- Outer Limits: Uriah Heep
- Virtuoso: Kef Arjen Lucassen
- Guiding Light: Sonja Kristina
- Visionary: Robert John Godfrey
- Lifetime Achievement: Andy Latimer
- Prog God: Peter Gabriel
And here are the current international dates for Gabriel's Back To Front Tour:
11/12: Brussels, Belgium @ Palais 12
11/13: Strasbourg, France @ Zenith
11/15: Nantes, France @ Zenith
11/16: Toulouse, France @ Zenith
11/18: Zurich, Switzerland @ Hallenstadion
11/20: Turin, Italy @ Palaolimpico
11/21: Bologna, Italy @ Unipol Arena
11/23: Graz, Austria @ Stadthalle
11/24: Salzburg, Austria @ Salzburg Arena
11/26: Lyon, France @ Halle Tony Garnier
11/28: Birmingham, UK @ LG Arena
11/30: Sheffield, UK @ Sheffield Arena
12/01: Cardiff, UK @ Cardiff Arena
12/03: London, UK @ The SEE Arena, Wembley
12/04: Newcastle, UK @ Metro Radio Arena
12/07: Liverpool, UK @ Liverpool Arena
12/08: Aberdeen, UK @ Aberdeen Exhibition Centre
12/10: Dublin, Ireland @ O2 Arena
