But pop legend Peter Gabriel was happy to sing backing vocals to a crowd of around 40 when he dropped into the West Hampstead Arts Club at the weekend.
The Sledgehammer and Solsbury Hill singer harmonised alongside his daughter Melanie and her longstanding collaborator Joseph Arthur on Saturday night.
The sound engineer at the 100-capacity Mill Lane club Tamara Sterle was on hand to capture the rare event, which she posted on her Facebook page.
On stage Peter Gabriel introduced himself as “Melanie’s dad, and (pointing to Arthur) “a big fan of one of the greatest songwriters of our time.”
Arthur replied: “Thank-you so much. Right back at you!” before launching into Michael Stipe’s In The Sun.
Tamara said: “West Hampstead Arts Club never fails to bring unforgettable moments.
“On Saturday, I had the pleasure of working once again with American singer-songwriter and artist Joseph Arthur, who brought along a couple of incredible guests. One of them was Melanie Gabriel, who added beautiful backing vocals to the performance.
“And for one song, she was joined by a musical icon and artistic trailblazer – none other than her father, Peter Gabriel. A remarkable moment to witness and be part of.”
Arthur signed to Gabriel’s label in 1996 after the icon listened to his first EP Cut and Blind.
The former Genesis frontman then arranged an audition at The Fez nightclub in New York ,which led to Arthur recording his debut album Big City Secrets at Gabriel’s Real World Studios and later joining his European WOMAD tour.
