Feb 8: G is for Genesis

An alphabet of bands and artists as a series for the next 26 days. These were selected by the Spotify algorithm.

G had to be Genesis really. 

They may well be the band I have listened to the most over the last 50-ish years...

Genesis were very nearly the first band I saw live. They came to Sheffield City Hall in one of their first tours since becoming a four piece band with the departure of Peter Gabriel, but I had just been to see Mike Oldfield.

The single that brought them to the attention to many was also a big hit in 1978.

Follow You, Follow Me.

I was lucky to be able to see them play live quite a few times through the 1980s, and the 1990s. 

These include some memorable concerts at Birmingham NEC where they were using their varilites as part of the stage show and Phil Collins was a truly great showman and musician. I remember seeing them on February 29th one year - and we had to wait for Prince Charles and Princess Diana to arrive before the concert could start. 

Here's the In the Cage Medley from that show.

This is so powerful... one of the best 20 minutes of live music you will ever see...

I also saw them in Roundhay Park in Leeds on the 'Invisible Tour': it's sad that generally if a Genesis song gets played on the radio these days it's generally 'Invisible Touch'. This was a weaker album for me, but retained the keyboard work of Tony Banks which was so integral to their sound. The last time I saw them was in 2007 - I had no intention of going to see their 'retirement' tour with Phil sitting down in a chair...

If you can, check out 'Second's Out' which is one of the great live albums, and also 'Three Sides Live' has some great medleys, particularly the one featuring 'In the Cage'.

Genesis with Gabriel of course were more experimental and in their prime. 

They were mostly educated at Charterhouse School, and later joined by Phil Collins, who took on the vocals after Gabriel left and had a massively successful solo career, as did the other members to a lesser extent (check out Mike Rutherford's 'Smallcreep's Day' - featuring Simon Phillips.)

They have a hugely varied discography.

One of the great vocal performances on any album was Gabriel's voice throughout 'The Lamb Lies down on Broadway' which gets its own post on the blog later in the year. It's now over 50 years old.

Geographically, one could talk about the song about the invasive species the Giant Hogweed, or the Battle for Epping Forest.

They have a large back catalogue - here's an AI generated version:

What "G" does your algorithm suggest? 

Let us know, or pass through your memories of Genesis...