Genesis
Biography
One of the most successful rock acts of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, Genesis enjoyed a longevity exceeded only by the likes of the Rolling Stones and the Kinks, and matched in progressive rock circles only by Yes (who, in fairness, have had their periods of inactivity). In the process, they provided a launching pad for the superstardom of members Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, and viable star-level careers for members Tony Banks, Michael Rutherford, and Steve Hackett, each in his own right. The group had its roots in the Garden Wall, a band founded by 15-year-olds Peter Gabriel and Tony Banks in 1965 at Charterhouse School in Godalming, Surrey, where fellow students Michael Rutherford and Anthony Phillips were members of another group called Anon. The two groups initially merged out of expediency as the older members of each graduated; Gabriel, Banks, Rutherford, Phillips, and drummer Chris Stewart soon joined together as the New Anon, and recorded a six-song demo featuring songs primarily written by Rutherford and Phillips.
The Charterhouse connection worked in their favor when alumnus, recording artist, and producer Jonathan King heard the tape and arranged for the group to continue working in the studio, developing their sound.
Selected Discography
From Genesis To Revelation
2008
Platinum Collection
2004
Archive 1976-1992
2000
Turn It On Again - The Hits
1999
Archive 1967-75
1998
Calling All Stations
1997
Three Sides Live
1994
The Way We Walk - Vol.2: The Longs (Live)
1993
The Way We Walk - Vol. 1: The Shorts (Live)
1992
We Can't Dance
1991
Seconds Out
1977
Wind & Wuthering
1976
A Trick Of The Tail
1976
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
1974
Selling England By The Pound
1973
I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual . It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibilit y . At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford.
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Dusty not really Banks kick out Steve Hackett becase Tony wanted to go pop
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Comparing Yes and Genesis is like comparing apples and oranges, both fruits but totally different. Peter Gabriel always came across to me as kind of a loner with a bad attitude.
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The weirdest concert ever; spring 75 in Ludwigshafen , Germany. Way too high and had no idea what was going on, but it was cool. A few weeks later Peter Gabriel left the band and an era died. I know a lot of people like the newer stuff after Lamb, but I like the early Genesis the best.
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These reviews are so weird sometimes.
This one mentions Steve Hackett as having a 'viable' career post Genesis? The man has put out 20 or 30 awesome albums, is top draw all over the planet. um...Yeah, he's done o.k. |
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God i miss early Genesis. The Peter Gabriel/Stev e Hackett eras were my favorites by far. So many great tunes.
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This was and is a fantastic group. As it goes all thier singers were traitors... When you find what works you stay with it.. As for Gabriel being a clown/ watch his videos!!!!! loved "TRICK OF THE TAIL", "NURSERY CRIMES", "LAMB LIES DOWN ON BROADWAY", "FOX TROT". If you like Genesis check out "Close to the Edge". www.eldahs.c o m
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Johns430 I think Gabriel has more than proven himself as a song writer in his solo career as has (I hate to say it) Phil Collins. To call him a clown is ludicrous and to state that either Gabriel or Genesis lost their way after the split is ignorant and borderline demagoguery. Yes, the credit that was given to Gabriel by the media during Genesis' heyday was more than he deserved, but his contribution to the band was what made them what they were.
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Gabriel is given WAY too much credit. Banks is the essence of the band. Both Genesis and Gabriel lost their way once they split. Jumping around on stage in heavy make up and costumes doesn't make you an artist, more like a clown.
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One of the best Prog bands ever (GABRIEL years / and the next few albums).
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Firth of Fifth? Is that any way linked to the Firth of Fourth, in Scotland? I was there. Plus, this is quality s**t, unlike Kevin Fetterline, and Brittney Spears. Of course, I shouldn't even give those two the time of day. Land of Confusion? Yeah, ok. But, that's still lame compared to the good Genesis.
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i love land of confusion,bu t i think that disturbed did it better...
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I've always had an affinity for their '73 Live album. If ya'll haven't heard it I suggest you seek it out. Their live renditions of Musical Box, Get Em Out by Friday & Watcher of the Skies are far superior to their studio equivalents.
Except for the obscene omission of Supper's Ready it's a great listen. |
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Very nicely written biography. The passion and musicianship Genesis brings to all their music - prog rock, pop, and solo work - makes it stand out above others. It is always rewarding to hear it again. I find my children have all included it in their musical libraries. I highly recommend attending a reenactment concert by The Musical Box if you can. The staging of the songs is exactly as it was in the 70's and an great experience.
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If anyone ever gets the opportunity to see the G cover band The Music Box,don't miss out brother. A flawless performance musically and visually of the band in the early-mid seventies.
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Invisible Touch was the first album I ever bought, it was at Target and you had your choice of vinyl or cassette, used to listen to it over and over in my walkman, I've got the vinyl now.
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I became hooked on Genesis when I was in Junior High in the early '70s. I feel like their creative peak was in the late-Peter-G a b r i e l - e a r l y - P h i l - C o l l i n s period. Unfortunatel y , they learned that they could fill hockey arenas and land songs on the Top 40 when they moved away from art rock (which they excelled at) and embraced pop (which they were good -- not great -- at). Oh, well. And I actually prefer Phil singing Suppers Ready instead of Peter.
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Saw the three shows in Chicago in oct. of 2007 AWESOME been a Genesis fan for 30 years best group in the history of rock. I have seen zepplin, rush the who stones yes elp king crimson they are ok GENESIS ROCKS THE BEST
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The old Genesis is great, before "Abacab". They became too pop for my liking after that. I wonder if Peter Gabriel never left how they would have become? Phil Collins would have concentrated on the drums, (as he is really good), and they would have been an incredible band, ) instead of just a very good band.
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"Better start doing it right"; first line I heard after creating my "station" on Pandora. Thanks for the fact in this diggggitttal l l age I can still hear the "classics". Would love to hear from all Genesis, Gentle Giant, prog rock fans.......a l l fans of rock music period. Looking to produce something as great as this. Take care.
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My CD changer is filled with nothing but Genesis. I get something different out of the music every time I listen. I became a fan in the late 70s, and got attached to the "modern" sound first. Now I own every album and set they've produced (on CD) and I love the early stuff just as much. Good stuff!
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Genesis with Peter Gabriel, for the win.
That takes the cake. Foxtrot is great |
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it's intellectual prog pop/rock at its best.
i'm a big fan of Peter Gabriel. |
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When I first heard that Peter Gabriel had been in Genesis, I thought, "The 'Games Without Frontiers' guy performed with the 'Follow You, Follow Me' guys? How interesting! " Since then I've learned to love so many of their albums, as well as some of the solo efforts. I've seen them in concert 3 times; they are so wonderful live. I would love to see Steve Hackett and Pete join them for a whole new album and tour if they could do something fresh and creative.
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Genesis are like no other band very talented very creative true musicians in this world of modern pop and the ingenuinness (if thats a word) of artists these days
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One of the best progressive bands for the ages. I have all the studio albums of the band from the first release to Invisible Touch. Got exposed to them via a radio program covering Rock n' Roll History (Rolling Stone Magazine)bac k in 78. started buying their albums while stationed in Holland in 83(USAF). As with any band,you take the present material along with their classics and you grow along with them and appreciate it all.
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Really good live. Saw them at Sullivan Stadium back in 90 something. Loved it. Rock on.
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my favorite is phill collins he one of the best singers and can really put out his talented into a one man show .love him
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I regret that I never saw Peter Gabriel perform with Genesis, but I have seen them five times, both of the last tours. The last one will certainly be their last... They are an outstanding live show, we'll never see the likes of them again.
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