Genesis

Genesis was formed out of two Charterhouse School groups Anon and Garden Wall in 1966 in Godalming, England, UK. Its original line up comprised Peter Gabriel (vocals), Anthony Phillips (guitar), Tony Banks (keyboards), Mike Rutherford (bass & guitar) and Chris Stewart (drums). They were accidentally noticed by Charterhouse alumnus Jonathan King, who gave them the name Genesis and helped to record their debut album From Genesis To Revelation in 1969. Their original style was a light melodic pop rock, strongly influenced by Bee Gees and The Beatles. The same year Genesis accomplished the second studio work Trespass, which contained the progressive rock material with its elaborated arrangements and long tracks. Around the same time, Genesis also built the live performances that would become famous in several years. In 1970, Phillips had to leave the band. Rutherford and Banks took Phil Collins as a drummer and hired Steve Hackett on guitar. In 1971, Genesis released Nursery Cryme with the legendary song The Musical Box. In 1972, the success was continued by the album Foxtrot, featuring one more cult track - 23-minute Supper's Ready.

Selling England By The Pound saw light in 1973. This disc contained Firth Of Fifth and I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe), both becoming the obligatory numbers in Genesis' live concerts. 1974 saw a double disc concert album The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. This work featured shorter tracks than on previous albums, connected by one plot. During the live performances in 70's, Genesis pioneered the use of lasers and other light effects, which were widely popularized in 80's and 90's, and became an inseparable part of many rock concerts nowadays. In 1975, Gabriel announced his departure from the band due to family problems. At the same time, Genesis started the search for a new soloist and made their back vocalist and drummer Collins a Gabriel's substitute. They recorded the new albums Trick Of The Tail and Wind & Wuthering with Collins on lead vocals in 1976. In 1977, Chester Thompson took the drum duties in the band. The Seconds Out live album was released the same year and it was the last one with Hackett, who left and was substituted by Daryl Stuermer.

Genesis decided to continue as a trio - according to the number of full-right members - and issued And Then There Were Three in 1978. After a small hiatus they released Face Value in 1981. The follow up Duke became the transition moment from rock to pop for Genesis. Such albums of 80s as Abacab, Genesis and the highest-selling Invisible Touch made the band immensely popular around the UK and the USA. After a five years break Genesis released the work We Can't Dance that emerged several hits. After the release, they had to say good-bye to Collins, who worked in Genesis for 25 years. Rutherford and Banks decided to continue without Collins and recorded Calling All Stations album in 1997 with ex- Stiltskin Ray Wilson on vocals. They also had to look for a change to Stuermer and Thompson. Calling All Stations was a flop and Genesis went on an extended hiatus. All the former members stayed in contact and gathered in 1999 to record a new version for their hits compilation and in 2000 to make a live performance. In 2006, Rutherford, Banks and Collins reunited and headed to the Turn It On Again tour, accompanied by Stuermer and Thompson. In 2007, Genesis released their first record for about 15 years - the live rendition of their greatest hits Live Over Europe 2007.