Critically applauded but in need of a hit, the ex-Genesis man drafted in a crack session team to add flesh to his demos. From Sledgehammer to Don’t Give Up, Katche was on hand with the fairy dust.

Manu Katche says:

“Peter likes rock music, but he’s into African music too, so I guess the combination of my roots and the fact I’d worked on pop and rock music was why I stayed in. He just gave me the demos and told me, ‘Go ahead, find your way in’. I think he was waiting to hear something different.”

“I wasn’t competing with Phil Collins. I don’t compete with anyone. The music you make with someone has everything to do with where you are and what’s in your head. When you play a session, you’re just trying to be as good as you can with your style.”

“Peter listens to what you say, and even if he’s not sure about it he’s always willing to try. And we’d joke with him, big time. We became friends; I had an email from him two days ago, and when he comes to Paris we have lunch. I have to say, I felt musically privileged, but he’s just a regular person.”