Genesis #1 - January 1967 to Summer (June?) 1968 - Tony Banks-Mike Rutherford-Peter Gabriel-Anthony Phillips-Chris Stewart
November 1967 - Nir Zidkyahu born in Israell
22nd February 1968 - 1st single off 1st album - The Silent Sun / That's me - Genesis
Chris Stewart leaves Summer 1968
Chris Stewart, the bands first drummer has since gone onto writing travel books for Lonely Planet as well as his own bestselling travel biographies the first of which was released in 1999, his second book released in 2002 covers his time with Genesis at this time and the third book was released in 2006. See the Books section of my website.
Genesis #2 - June 1968 to July 1969 Tony Banks-Mike Rutherford-Peter Gabriel-Anthony Phillips-John Silver
8th September 1968 - Ray Wilson born in Scotland, UK
March 1969 - 1st album - From Genesis To Revelation - Genesis 1 (1)
This album has been released a lot on CD! There are more where these came from. The earliest issue I have is from 1986 (Where the Sour Turns to Sweet)
After Jonathan King 'adopted' and named a group of young musicians they were given a golden (and very rare) opportunity to record a whole album. The band were disappointed with the added Arthur Greenslade arranged strings (and glad it didn't take off) but they recognise this was an important first step.
Reissues 1986-1989
Reissues 1990-1999
Reissues 2000-2009
27th June 1969 - Where The Sour Turns To Sweet single released
John Silver leaves July 1969
Genesis #3 - July 1969 to 18th July 1970 Tony Banks-Mike Rutherford-Peter Gabriel-Anthony Phillips-John Mayhew
23rd September 1969 - Genesis play their first gig at Mrs Balmes Dance Party, Chobham, England
October 1969 to February 1970 - Genesis spend six important months at farmhouse in Dorking, Essex playing, writing and recording new material, they emerge transformed and with a unique style.
9th January 1970 - Genesis Plays Jackson aka The Jackson Tapes recorded (see Genesis 1970-75 box set released 10th November 2008)
18th July 1970 - Anthony Phillips plays his last performance with Genesis
Genesis #4 - 18th July 1970 to 24th August 1970 - Tony Banks-Mike Rutherford-Peter Gabriel-John Mayhew
4th August 1970 - Phil Collins passes audition for Genesis and first show without Anthony Phillips in Doncaster
John Mayhew leaves 24th August 1970
Genesis #5 - 24th August 1970 to 13th January 1971 - Tony Banks-Mike Rutherford-Peter Gabriel-Phil Collins
24th August 1970 - Phil Collins first performance with Genesis
October 1970 - Trespass - Genesis 2 (2)
Issued on CD in June 1988. Definitive Edition Remaster released August 1994. Japanese edition issued 199?
EMI Records will be re-issuing 14 Genesis studio albums in three stages during 2007. All the releases will be SACD/DVD double disc sets featuring newly re-mastered 5.1 surround sound and stereo mixes. This album will be released in the last of the three batches; late 2007/Early 2008 with Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, Selling England By The Pound and The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
The artwork for the 2nd album was done by Paul Whitehead, he produced the picture that he though most summed up the music, then as if to illustrate the song called The Knife he slashed his own picture, added a real knife in the slash and photographed it! The band thought he was mad but liked the end result. By this time the bands sound had changed immeasurably due to the band rehearsing at a friends house for months on end. Archive 1 contains some of the recordings that bridge the gap between the first and second albums.
Genesis #6 - 14th January 1971 to May 1975 - Tony Banks-Mike Rutherford-Peter Gabriel-Phil Collins-Steve Hackett
14th January 1971 - Steve Hackett first performance with Genesis
20th November 1971 - Nursery Cryme - Genesis 3 (3)
Issued on CD in September 1985. Definitive Edition Remaster released August 1994. Japanese edition issued 199?
EMI Records will be re-issuing 14 Genesis studio albums in three stages during 2007/8. All the releases will be SACD/DVD double disc sets featuring newly re-mastered 5.1 surround sound and stereo mixes. This album will be released in the last of the three batches; late 2007/Early 2008 with Trespass, Foxtrot, Selling England By The Pound and The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
Paul Whitehead once again did the artwork for this album using characters from the songs themselves, the girl and the nanny on the cover belong to the song The Musical Box. Once again the band showed they were still developing a sound beyond the second album as well as showing they had a sense of humour, there is also the fact that a young drummer and guitarist had joined shortly before, they were Phillip Collins and Steven Hackett.
28th September 1972 - During a performance in Dublin, Ireland Peter Gabriel walks onto the boxing ring stage wearing a foxes head mask and a red dress, both the crowd and the rest of the band are stunned.
October 1972 - Foxtrot - Genesis 4 (4)
Issued on CD in July 1986. Definitive Edition Remaster released August 1994. Japanese edition issued 199?
EMI Records will be re-issuing 14 Genesis studio albums in three stages during 2007/8. All the releases will be SACD/DVD double disc sets featuring newly re-mastered 5.1 surround sound and stereo mixes. This album will be released in the last of the three batches; late 2007/Early 2008 with Trespass, Nursery Cryme, Selling England By The Pound and The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
Once again Paul Whitehead produced a cover full of song references, Peter Gabriels appearance in (his wife's) red dress and foxes head in a boxing ring in Dublin, Ireland would go down in Genesis legend, he didn't even tell the band he was going to do it!
August 1973 - Live - Genesis 5 (5)
Issued on CD in July 1987. Definitive Edition Remaster released August 1994. Japanese edition issued 199?
Live albums are (at present) not part of the 2007/2008 remaster releases
The band were very reluctant to release a live album in 1973 but were eventually persuaded to release one to give them a break from constant touring, and to give them some months to write and record their next studio album, Mike insisted that the album be a 'budget' title as he saw it as fans being asked to buy songs they already had. The cover photograph (thankfully restored for later releases) features the band performing in ultraviolet light with curtains being used to both cover equipment and reflect the light, this was a sure sign that Genesis were 'different', a sense of theatre was becoming apparent and the music press started to sit up and take notice. Peter is shown wearing his 'Magog' costume.
September 1973 - Selling England By The Pound - Genesis 6 (6)
Issued on CD in February 1986. Definitive Edition Remaster released August 1994. Japanese edition issued 199?
EMI Records will be re-issuing 14 Genesis studio albums in three stages during 2007. All the releases will be SACD/DVD double disc sets featuring newly re-mastered 5.1 surround sound and stereo mixes. This album will be released in the last of the three batches; late 2007/Early 2008 with Trespass, Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
Steve Hackett has mentioned that the playing on this release was much improved over previous albums, which was no surprise since they had enjoyed a much longer amount of writing and recording time than ever before, (A fair amount of rehearsal recordings have emerged on unofficial recordings) certainly the band was well into it's stride now, and Gabriels own brand of live theatre was winning them lots of fans.
September 1974 - The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway (d) - Genesis 7 (7)
Issued on CD in February 1986 - Definitive Edition Remaster released August 1994 - Japanese edition issued 199? - 5.1 sound CD released 18th April 2005
EMI Records will be re-issuing 14 Genesis studio albums in three stages during 2007. All the releases will be SACD/DVD double disc sets featuring newly re-mastered 5.1 surround sound and stereo mixes. This album will be released in the last of the three batches; late 2007/Early 2008 with Trespass, Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, Selling England By The Pound.
It's a wonder this album ever was made in the first place, Peter was the first to have a new born child to think about and made it increasingly apparent he wanted to leave, first to Tony Smith (Genesis manager) then later the band. Phil too was feeling hemmed in by the strict song arrangements and even told the Genesis photographer Armando Gallo that he intended to leave. Things were fraught, Peter would drive through the night in his Hillman Imp car to see his wife and child and at one point was told to finish the album by his manager which he did, the band have said that one of the reasons 'The Lamb' became a double album is that they didn't want to lose Peter and kept the recording process going as long as possible. Peter promised to finish the album and toured it around the world just over 100 times. Amazingly none of these shows were ever recorded in full on film, and the only professional audio recording reportedly ran out of tape on the final song
Peter Gabriel leaves Genesis
Genesis #7 - May 1975 to March 1976 - Tony Banks-Mike Rutherford-Phil Collins-Steve Hackett
27th September 1975 - Phil Collins marries Andrea in Epsom, Surrey
October 1975 - Voyage Of The Acolyte - Hackett, Steve 1 (8)
Re-issued on CD - 31st May 1988
Recorded in June and July 1975, straight after Gabriels departure Steve was the first to release a solo album of his own, this was his outlet for some of his artistic ideas which had been building up for nearly 4 years, and it shows; the music bristles with invention and power. Both Phil and Mike played on his album and his wife (or then soon to be wife) Kim Poor provided the artwork.
After many negotiations Steve, Camino and Virgin Records have announced the remaster and rerelease of the first 4 Hackett solo albums - with extra material - release date 19th September 2005.
13th February 1976 - A Trick Of The Tail - Genesis 8 (9)
Issued on CD in April 1986. Definitive Edition Remaster released 4th October 1994. Japanese edition issued 199?
EMI Records re-issued 14 Genesis studio albums in three stages during 2007/8. The releases are SACD/DVD double disc sets featuring newly re-mastered 5.1 surround sound and stereo mixes. This album was released in the first of the three batches in March 2007 with Wind & Wuthering, …And Then There Were Three…, Duke and Abacab
Peter had let it be known to the band that he was leaving, but they decided to keep his departure quiet for as long as possible and see if they could come up with anything worthwhile, certainly Steve saw it as a challenge to himself and the band to survive. Auditions were held for a new lead vocalist, someone who could tackle the 'harder' edge vocal tracks, Phil would test them out giving them vocal exercises but none were quite right so Phil offered to try out one of the softer numbers they had written, from that point onwards the doubts about Phils vocal abilities faded away.
Fans were mourning the exit of Peter, the music press were running headlines like "Death of a great band" but the remaining members had other ideas and surprised everyone.
Genesis #8 - March 1976 to November 1976 - Tony Banks-Mike Rutherford-Phil Collins-Steve Hackett (Bill Bruford tour drummer)
14th September 1976 - Simon Collins born in Hammersmith, England
November 76 - Wind & Wuthering rehearsed at Little Chalfont (Farmyard), England
13th November 1976 - Mike Rutherford marries Angie
Genesis #9 - December 1976 to 8th October 1977 - Tony Banks-Mike Rutherford-Phil Collins-Steve Hackett (Chester Thompson tour drummer)
1st January 1977 - Wind & Wuthering - Genesis 9 (10)
Issued on CD in April 1986. Definitive Edition Remaster released 4th October 1994. Japanese edition issued 199?
EMI Records re-issued 14 Genesis studio albums in three stages during 2007/8. The releases are SACD/DVD double disc sets featuring newly re-mastered 5.1 surround sound and stereo mixes. This album was released in the first of the three batches in March 2007 with A Trick Of The Tail, Wind & Wuthering, …And Then There Were Three…, Duke and Abacab
This was a turbulent album for Steve, he had proved that he was a valuable member of the band and wanted to contribute more to the band, he found that the compromises he had to make too much for him. I think I'm right in saying that the delicate solo guitar work on the album was not liked by Tony and only made it onto the album in its present form as other members compromised on other sections. From this point on Steve would anguish over whether to leave Genesis.
18th February 1977 - Peter Gabriel - Gabriel, Peter 1 (11)
Re-issued on CD 1987, Remastered 2002, Remastered 2010 and 2011!
"Expect the unexpected" was what Peter had to say about his new album, after his time of contemplation and gardening after the albums release he gathered together a band and set out on tour starting in America on the 5th March.
5th March 1977 - Peter Gabriel plays his first solo performance in Passaic, New Jersey, USA
March 1977 - The Geese And The Ghost - Phillips, Anthony 1 (12)
Re-issued on CD by Passport Records in 1988 and Virgin Records in 1990 The Virgin CD reissue of the album includes an extra track - a demo version of "Master of Time" recorded in August 1973.
A 31st anniversary 2 CD remastered reissue was released 14th April 2008
After several years of musical study 'Ant' released his first solo album which features his great friends Mike Rutherford, Phil Collins and John Hackett (Steve's flute playing brother) Peter Cross provided the first of his many record covers for 'Ant'
Update 4th December 2006: "The re-issue of The Geese & The Ghost is being mastered now and will hopefully be released in the Spring of next year [2007] to tie in with the 30th anniversary of the album's original release. It will sound much better than the Virgin CD and will also include an additional CD of extra material." (Jonathan Dann)
14th April 2008 the 2cd remaster was released with a slightly revised track listing and a whole second disc of extras including at last a lovingly restored Silver Song complete with Phil Collins vocal.
3rd July 1977 The last Genesis concert with Steve Hackett as full time member.
8th October 1977 - Steve Hackett leaves Genesis during the mixing of the 'Seconds Out' live album, while driving to the studio Phil reputedly saw him walking down the street and offered to give him a lift, which he declined, it's only when Phil reached the studio that Phil learned what had happened.
Genesis #10 - 8th October 1977 to 29th March 1996 - Tony Banks-Mike Rutherford-Phil Collins (Chester Thompson tour drummer-Daryl Stuermer tour guitarist)
15th October 1977 - Seconds Out (d) - Genesis 10 (13)
Issued on CD in November 1985. Definitive Edition Remaster released 4th October 1994. Japanese edition issued 199?
Live albums are (at present) not part of the 2007/2008 remaster releases
April 1978 - Please Don't Touch - Hackett, Steve 2 (14)
Recorded from November 1977 to February 1978; Steve was free to fully express himself, he used ideas that had been rejected by his former bandmates and crafted a great album which was quirky and inventive but more grown-up than his first solo effort.
First reissued on CD in 19??
After many negotiations Steve, Camino and Virgin Records have announced the remaster and rerelease of the first 4 Hackett solo albums - with extra material - release date 19th September 2005.
April 1978 - ...And Then There Were Three... - Genesis 11 (15)
Issued on CD in May or September 1983. Definitive Edition Remaster released 4th October 1994. Japanese edition issued 199?
EMI Records re-issued 14 Genesis studio albums in three stages during 2007/8. The releases are SACD/DVD double disc sets featuring newly re-mastered 5.1 surround sound and stereo mixes. This album was released in the first of the three batches in March 2007 with A Trick Of The Tail, Wind & Wuthering, Duke, Abacab
Another member short the band decide once again to carry on with the band, one member said that now there were only the three members they were able to delve much more into their respective fields, i.e. Tony was able to delve much more deeply into the world of synthesisers, Phil into drums and Mike into guitars. Is was noted that they tried to stay away from doing 'long' songs, but in the end this might have stifled some of the songs a little.
May 1978 - Wise After The Event - Phillips, Anthony 2 (16)
Re-issued on CD by Virgin Records in 1991 The CD reissue includes an extra track - "Squirrel", which was originally released as the B-side of the 7" single release of "We're All As We Lie"
A 30th anniversary 2 CD remastered reissue will be released 19th May 2008
June 1978 - Peter Gabriel [2] - Gabriel, Peter 2 (17)
Re-issued on CD 1987, Remastered 2002, Remastered 2010 and 2011!
4th October 1978 - Steve Hackett plays his first solo performance in Oslo, Norway
April 1979 - Sides - Phillips, Anthony 3 (18)
Re-issued on CD by Virgin Records in 1990 & Blueprint Records in 1996 The CD re-issues include two extra tracks: "Souvenir" (originally the B-side to the single release of Um & Aargh) "Magdalen" (Instrumental version, previously unreleased)
April 1979 - Private Parts & Pieces - Phillips, Anthony 4 (19)
Re-issued on CD by Virgin Records in 1990 and Blueprint Records in 1996 The CD reissues include two previously unreleased extra tracks: Stranger (recorded October 1990) Silver Song (demo, recorded Spring 1986)
A further reissue is set to be released 15th February 2010
May 1979 - Spectral Mornings - Hackett, Steve 3 (20)
Recorded in January and February 1979
Re-issued on CD in 1989
After many negotiations Steve, Camino and Virgin Records have announced the remaster and rerelease of the first 4 Hackett solo albums - with extra material - release date 19th September 2005.
October 1979 - A Curious Feeling - Banks, Tony 1 (21)
Re-issued on CD - 31st May 1988
This was Tonys first solo album and was recorded neccessary lull between Genesis albums. Well regarded by the majority of fandom.
Work begins October 2008 on a 30th anniversary remaster for 2009 - now due 19th October 2009
This page last updated 19th June 2012
