The Jacket by Tim Flihan In early November 1982, I had the opportunity to provide personal security for Peter Gabriel as he paraded through the stunned and adoring crowd at the Stanley Theater in Utica, NY. It was my job to clear the way through the aisle as made his way from the old dressing rooms to the stage. It was my first- time backstage for any show up until that time so I had some access. Before the show a young man and his girlfriend came up to me while I was waiting for a ride on King Street behind the historic building. This person had on a Jean Jacket with the album cover from The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway embroidered on the back. If you don’t know what that is, sorry, but it was really cool. Anyway, he saw the lanyard with my pass and he asked me if I could get Peter to sign it. I told him I would try after the show. I had no idea if I could, but if I could I would. He left and I went back inside and hung out, which was something that I was/am very good at. That afternoon I walked through the tunnels beneath the theater which was how we planned to get from the ratty old dressing rooms to the lobby of the venerable Stanley. The tunnels ultimately came out in the basement underneath the front lobby and directly into the Men’s bathroom. For a geek like me I loved the behind the scenes stuff. This was going to be memorable. So, it’s showtime and we quietly but briskly walk through the dimly-lit tunnels, Peter and the band complete with drums and their faces made-up followed me blindly through the labyrinth beneath the huge crowd anxiously anticipating their arrival. As we arrive at the outlet which opens directly into the white marble and mirrored restroom, which was currently occupied by at least a dozen people I waited until everyone was accounted for and ready before opening the door. It’s not every day you see Peter Gabriel and his band, in complete regalia with drums, come out of the wall into the restroom where you were anxiously trying to relieve yourself and quickly get back to your seat, but that is exactly what happened. I wish I had a camera. I am sure that those patrons feel the same, but this was the time before cell phones and their built-in cameras. The look on their collective faces was priceless. We proceeded to march up the winding ornate stairwell which led to the inner lobby passing stunned fans as we briskly passed them on our way to the entrance in the rear of the theater. The lobby was almost empty by this time as fans had only recently scrambled to get to their seats as the house lights dimmed. The anticipation was palpable. It was there that I opened the door and the sold-out Stanley turned their heads as the band pounded their drums which were beating behind me as we marched through the stunned and roaring crowd toward stage, led by a single follow spotlight to a stage bathed in white light. The Rhythm was haunting and the lighting hypnotic. The Rhythm of the Heat. The lights and fog were surreal. Then as quickly as it started my job was done. Now I could relax and enjoy the show which was more of an event then rock concert. That whole experience gave me a sense of how it felt to be member of the band. All eyes were on us as we paraded through the crowd and I was right in front of Peter who was the focus of their adoration. I was invisible, but for a couple of minutes, I knew what it felt like to be revered by the fans. Not me, I was not the focus of their attention and adoration, but I was so close that I felt it. It was a feeling I will never forget or be able to replicate in my simple uneventful life. After the show I escorted Peter and his team to a room at the Motel next to the Stanley. It’s gone now, torn down years ago to make room for a parking lot. On my way between the Motel and the theater, the young man and his girlfriend who met prior to the show flagged me down. They had been waiting for the hour or so since the show had ended. They once again asked me if I could get the jacket signed. I could see that this whole experience was a spiritual one for them. On top of that it was the nicest jean jacket I had ever seen. So, I took the jacket back to the room and Peter signed it. I had worried he would be reluctant, but he was gracious. As a matter of fact, after he signed it he passed it around to the other people in the room and commented how nice it was. It seemed like I was gone for hours, but it was only a few minutes until I brought it back to the rightful owner who was overjoyed when I gave it back to him. He was overwhelmed. He was a true fan. I always wondered what became of that jacket, there was no way that coat would have been neglected or lost to time. I am positive he would have insisted that some sort of reverence be given to it, because he was a fan, I always thought of myself as a Genesis/Peter Gabriel super fan, but that night I felt small. This was a true fan. Someone who cherished the moment. I last saw him and his girlfriend sitting on a retaining wall between the theater and the motel, on that cold rainy November night. I thought he was crying, but it may have just been the misty rain. I like to think he was crying, because it was a culmination of love which brought him to that moment. I have often wondered what had happened to that jacket. Where it was. Was it displayed? Was it worn? Where is it? Has is survived ravages of time and wear. I’d like to think that it is kept in a safe place and viewed as a reminder of simple times when music bound us together and was the soundtrack of our lives. It has been over thirty-five years since that night and I still fondly remember those events like it was yesterday.

Thank you for reacting to Peter Gabriel who is one of my favourite artists who I first saw live in 1972 with Genesis. Please go and see him live if you get the opportunity as his concerts are always spectacular. I love your reactions, and you are a charming couple. Best wishes Steve from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

When I saw him here in Boston in '82, I expected a guy to just come out and sing into the mic. The band came out of the audience playing this song on drums, and I haven't been the same since...

I bought this album from Germany as a young man. It was called Deutches Album, Peter sung it in German. I did not understand German, and it has allways been much more powerful to me, compared to english version. English is like watered. You could check out Deutches album, its in youtube. Great song ang great reaction!

Peter used to open his live shows with this song. He and his band would enter through the audience doors in the back of the theater banging their drums while that eerie repeating drone pipe sound was playing.

I think this is about Carl Jungs experience in Africa

You guys need to listen to the live version of this from Plays Live. And I Have The Touch from that album. And the whole album.

I'm from Miami (and a certain age) so I know Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine. It's not surprising that the Afro-Cuban drum rhythms prevalent in some of Estefan's music are similar to the Afro-inspired drum rhythms in this song. During his solo career Gabriel was inspired by a great variety of "World Music," and took inspiration from many sources that are otherwise not commonly found in popular western music.

great reaction!

masakra