Concert: Genesis

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Genesis Concert Schedule

Chicago Gigs

Genesis

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Genesis is one of the most successful rock acts of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s which enjoyed a longevity exceeded only by the likes of the Rolling Stones and the Kinks. In the process it provided a launching pad for the super stardom of members Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins. The group was 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 and recorded a six-song demo featuring songs primarily written by Rutherford and Phillips.

In December 1967, the group had its first formal recording sessions. Their debut single, "The Silent Sun," was released in February 1968 without much attraction from the public.The follow up was a second single, "A Winter's Tale," followed by an album "From Genesis to Revelation", released in March of 1969. Genesis soon became one of the first groups signed to the fledgling Charisma label, and recorded their second album, "Trespass", that spring. "Foxtrot", issued in the fall of 1972, was the flash point in Genesis' history and not only on commercial terms. Genesis' live performances were practically legend, and in response to the demand, in August of 1973 Charisma released "Genesis Live", an album assembled from shows in Leicester and Manchester originally taped for an American radio broadcast. "Selling England by the Pound' released in 1973 was the group's most sophisticated album to date.

The release of the ambitious double LP "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" in late 1974 marked the culmination of the group's early history; in May of 1975. "Trick of the Tail" made number three in England and number 31 in America, the best chart showing up to that time for a Genesis album. In 1978, Genesis released "And Then There Were Three", which abandoned any efforts at progressive rock in favor of a softer, much more accessible, and less ambitious pop sound. After a flurry of solo projects, the group reconvened for 1980's "Duke", which became their first chart-topper in England while rising to number 11 in America.

"Abacab", released in late 1981, was another smash, and 1983's self-titled "Genesis" furthered the group's record of British chart-toppers and American Top Ten hits, becoming their second million-selling U.S. album while also yielding their first American Top Ten single, "That's All." Two years later, the group outdid themselves with the release of their most commercially successful album to date, "Invisible Touch", which went platinum several times over in America. Their 1991 album "We Can't Dance" debuted at number one in England and got to number four in America; it was Collins' last album with the group, and with new vocalist Ray Wilson, formerly of the group Stiltskin, Genesis resurfaced in 1997 with Calling All Stations, which recalled their art rock roots.