Biography of Genesis

One of the most successful bands of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, Genesis’s popularity lasted longer then most good bands do. The band has its roots in 1969 at Charterhouse school. At this time there were many bands such as Anon, The Scarlet and Black group. They contained key Genesis members such as Peter Gabriel and Chris Stewart. These bands merged after other members graduated from school. The singular band now consisted of Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, Anthony Phillips and Chris Stewart. They recorded a six song demo, under the name the New Anon. Going to Charterhouse helped them out, an ex student Jonathan King, heard them, and helped them develop their sound, and change their name to Genesis.

In 1967 the group had their first formal recording sessions. Their first single ‘The Silent Sun’ was released without attracting much attention. After their second single was released, Chris Stewart quit the band. John Silver was his replacement. The band then added orchestral accompaniment to the bands tracks, and this was seen on their first album ‘From Genesis to Revelation’, which was released in March of 1969. After this, the members graduated from Charterhouse.

They decided to try to be professional musicians. It was around this time that Silver exited and was replaced by John Mayhew. The band spent the next few months working on new material.
Genesis then signed with the newly formed Charisma label. They recorded their second album Trespass that spring. After the release of this, the band went through some major changes. Phillips who had developed stage fright was forced to leave the band, in July, and he was followed by Mayhew. Phil Collins at this time joined the band. He was a one time actor turned drummer, who had played for bands such as Hickory and Flaming Youth. Steve Hackett then joined the band as the guitarist, and the lineup was set. It was Collins and Hackett’s presence that toughened up the group’s sound, which was seen on their next album ‘Nusery Cryme’.

It was the theatrical voice of Gabriel that fit well with the group’s live performances. It was around 1971 when the band began to use more extensive use of masks, make-up and props. Their songs also become more complicated. Their live shows become something of a legend around this time. Their concerts turned into multi-media events. Their music was something different then anything that was happening in progressive rock. They had complex music compared to the overblown words attached to the songs. In 1973 they released two albums, a live one, which the public had been demanding for some time, and ‘Selling England by the Pound’, was their most complex album to date.

In late 1974, the band released their ambitious double LP, ‘The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway’. It was in May of 1975 that following a show in France, Gabriel announced he was leaving Genesis for personal reasons. The band tried to audition a new singer, but was unable to find one. The band decided they would continue as a quartet, with Collins as the singer. The band then recorded their next album Trick of the Trail. It was their biggest album yet, making it to number 31 in America and 3 in the UK. This confused critics alike, as they could not imagine a Genesis without Gabriel. Their next album Wind and Wuthering became another smash. However, on the eve of their release of their latest double live album- Seconds Out- Hackett announced he was leaving the band. The band then went on a tour with replacement Daryl Steurmer, but there was no replacement in the studio.

In 1978, Genesis released ‘And Then There Were Three’, which abandoned their progressive rock sound, for a softer, much more accessible and less ambitious pop sound. The members of the group then did a flurry of solo projects, but reconvened for 1980’s ‘Duke’, which was a chart topper in England, and rose to number eleven in America. Their continued change in their sound helped turn Genesis into an arena-scale act. Their next album ‘Abacab’, was another hit, and 1983’s self titled album, furthered Genesis’s hit album streak. Their self- titled album was their second platinum album, and contained their first American top ten single “That’s All”. Two years later, the band outdid themselves with the album ‘Invisible Touch’ which went several times platinum. Its release coincided with their biggest tour, that put them right up there with the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead for the biggest concert draws.

Their 1991 album ‘”We Can’t Dance” went to number one again and four in America. It was not as big a hit as Invisible Touch. This was Collins last album with the band, as he felt he needed a new musical direction. The band decided to continue on, but they could not find anyone from before that would rejoin. They continued on with live performers, and session musicians, and eventually added Ray Wilson to be the singer. They released their last album “Calling All Stations” in 1997. It was not well received by critics and sold poorly. The tour was equally as unsuccessful.

The group eventually disbanded. Following the breakup they released numerous amounts of compilations and rarities. Overall the band had sold 150 million records, won many awards, and influenced a generation. Their sound helped develop progressive rock, and their adult contemporary music became staples on radio. Many of their songs have been covered by modern bands, and many bands such as Dream Theater have declared Genesis as an influence.
In 2007, after many years of speculation the band with Collins, Rutherford and Banks, reconvened to go on a World Tour. The band has expressed interest getting Gabriel to rejoin, but they have said that is entirely up to him. The recording of another album is very slim, but they will continue to perform.