Peter Gabriel Receives Death Threats from Fans of Brazilian Band

British singer-songwriter and human rights champion Peter Gabriel, 61, and his oldest daughter Anna Gabriel, 37, received death threats, a barrage of insults and anatomically impossible suggestions from dozens of fans of the Brazilian band Ultraje a Rigor. Both Gabriel and Ultraje a Rigor performed on November 13 at the Starts With You (SWU) Music Festival at Paulinia, Brazil. Gabriel has issued an apology. Real World, Gabriel's record label, has not yet pressed any charges.

The incident that prompted the anger was not caused by Gabriel, but his production tour manager. Because of torrential rains which postponed the concert for two hours, all artists agreed to cut 15 minutes from their set. When Ultraje a Rigor did not, Gabriel's production manager took matters into his own hands and turned off the band's amps. The Brazilian press reported that there were fisticuffs and a verbal argument between Gabriel and the band, but these have not been substantiated.

On November 14, Gabriel issued this apology to the press and posted it on his official Facebook page and website, Petergabriel.com:

'I learned this morning that there had been a problem between my crew and Ultraje a Rigor at the SWU festival, that resulted in my production manager stopping their performance and turning off their amps. I deeply regret that this took place and have called Roger Moreira [the band's lead singer] to apologise directly to him and the band.

''The storm had put the running order two hours behind schedule and all the artists agreed to cut their set by 15 minutes. I understand from the festival organiser that Ultraje a Rigor were playing more than the time they had agreed and that there were still two more artists to play on our stage. This is why I believe my production manager, who had also had a long battle with water damage to the equipment, was getting very frustrated. In any case, he should not have interrupted their performance. 'I strongly believe in treating all artists with equality and respect and I am extremely sorry that we failed to do so last night.'

Obscenity-laced death threats on Gabriel's Facebook page included a promise to "shoot him in the head" should Gabriel ever return to Brazil. Others made similar threats to his daughter, the co-founder of the charity Voice Project who briefly joined her father onstage. Gabriel has started two human-rights charities, Witness and The Elders. He also has done extensive work on behalf of Amnesty International.

Gabriel's fans who attended the SWU Festival have apologized on behalf of their fellow countrymen, complimented his performance with the New Blood Orchestra and hoped he would come back to Brazil soon.

Perhaps the situation was best summed up by UK Gabriel fan John Davie, who posted on Gabriel's Facebook page:

"People who post death threats should be reported to the police and put in prison. Peter Gabriel has campaigned for human rights, but none has the right to threaten someone like some have here. You bring shame to your country and are cowards."

Despite the threats, Gabriel is continuing his New Blood tour, which wraps up November 26 in Guadalajara, Mexico.