“WE’VE BEEN UNCOOL FOR MOST OF OUR GAREER...

GENESIS began as prog rock curios and became one of the biggest bands in the world. TONY BANKS and MIKE RUTHERFORD reminisce to Jonathan Wingate

Although they would be the first to admit that they always suffered from a credibility problem, it’s easy to forget the fact that Genesis were one of the most successful rock groups to emerge from the 70s. What set them apart from their prog peers as the decade progressed was their ability to write songs you could actually sing along to. By 1986’s Invisible Touch album, many of those who got into their music as their singles took over the airwaves all over the world probably had little or no idea of their progressive past.

“When I walked out on stage at Wembley Stadium, I remember thinking: You better enjoy this, because this is as big as you’re ever going to be. I thought the whole thing was like a fantasy, really,” Tony Banks beams, lounging on a pillar-box red sofa at EMI, looking more measured psychiatrist than rock star.

Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Anthony Phillips, Mike Rutherford and Chris Stewart first got together at Charterhouse School in 1967. They recorded a demo tape and gave it to Charterhouse alumnus, Jonathan King, who came up with the name Genesis and secured a deal with Decca.

After cutting their first single, The Silent Sun in 1968, they waited another year before their debut LP, From Genesis To Revelation was issued. The album failed to attract much attention, however, and it wasn’t until they …

by Jonathan Wingate
<< Back to Issue 309

You must be a subscriber to view the full article, subscribe now for full access to all online content.

Already a Magazine Subscriber? Register now for online access.

Login Here

Free Newsletter


Subscribe to
our email newsletter by emailing:

anna.bowen@
metropolis.co.uk