Peter Gabriel is the debut studio album by the English singer-songwriter Peter Gabriel, released in February 1977 by Charisma Records. After his departure from the progressive rock band Genesis was made public in 1975, Gabriel took a break to concentrate on his family life. In 1976, he began writing material for a solo album and met producer Bob Ezrin, who agreed to produce it. Gabriel hired several additional musicians, including guitarist Robert Fripp and bassist Tony Levin.