Peter Gabriel on leaving Genesis in 1975 and Sledgehammer

Peter Gabriel left Genesis in 1975 to pursue future solo success, leaving Phil Collins, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Steve Hackett behind. Gabriel felt that the band were pulling in different directions. Gabriel told Mojo, as reported by MusicRadar, that Phil Collins used to hate the costumes Gabriel wore on stage. Gabriel said Phil Collins wanted to be like a jazz musician, which was Collins's image of himself. Gabriel said that he and Tony Banks were vicious enemies and best friends, and that they only ever argued about band stuff.

Gabriel said the other band members were really worried about their future without him. He said he felt confident that the other band members would do really well, as there was plenty of opportunity for them to create something new. Gabriel described his debut solo single Solsbury Hill as a hopeful, optimistic song. He said his first solo record was him trying to get some confidence outside of the band.

In 1986 Peter Gabriel scored his biggest global hit. Gabriel said Sledgehammer was recorded at the last minute, as the musicians were trying to leave. Gabriel said Sledgehammer was a throwaway thing and that the music was not written to be a hit.