Genesis Through The Decades
Genesis has been a band that has strolled in style around the world for almost 50+ years. For they have recently just finished their last tour for North America. On the tour, “The Last Domino?” The members of the group contain singer — Phil Collins (70), guitarist/bassist — Mike Rutherford (71), guitarist — Daryl Stuermer (69), and last but definitely not least keys — Tony Banks (71). Nowadays, Phil’s son (Nicholas) plays the drums which can be astonishing to see him play them (since I saw them, myself !) His son (Nicholas) had the choice to play them when he was little, and now rocks out with his dad. He said something about being pulled out from the hospital, and then put on the drums the day he was born. But for me, when I was about 7, I fell completely in awe with the song “In The Air Tonight.” Everything including the drum machine with it’s “dut dut dut dut do dut dut do do.” I feel that oasis, distant feeling when I listen to it. I don’t want to give so much away… so go listen to it (no, it’s not a waste of TIME.) But, this song was not produced by the band. At one point Phil actually had a solo career; and it flew off once going in the 80’s. The song’s deep meaning is actually very unidentifiable. In an interview with Phil, he said that he knew there was a lot of frustration and despair during the time he wrote it. Yet, it’s drum solo midway through the song has become one of America’s well known drum solos. Phil from the earlier days would’ve been the drummer you witnessed in the back — that is — during the time Peter Gabriel was singer.
The band never had started with Phil Collins. It began with Peter Gabriel as head singer, Steve Hackett on guitar, and Chris Stewart on drums. Many members only lasted a year or two. Though, what is crazy enough is that Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks, alongside Gabriel and Stewart, made this band one of the most majestic rock bands of all time. Now we all might have opinions, but listen for yourself.
The band originally formed in the United Kingdom, specifically Godalming, United Kingdom of 1967. As time went on, Genesis was playing their very captivating, musical songs. However, soon after 75ish, Peter left the band because of wanting to experiment outside of the band frame. This meant looking for a new singer. So Phil, being the guy in back of the band, was tempted to move upfront where he could take on the crowd and sing to the audience. The band had no time to look for someone, so Phil was the perfect fit.
Genesis’s first album with Phil as singer was A Trick of The Trail (1976), following Seconds Out (1977), and Then There Were Three (1978). What I believe hit it off was Abacab (1981). As the Genesis reign goes on, fans across the world adore the band’s sound, and all their hits from Invisible Touch (1986) to That’s All (1983). Things were moving quickly and all the band members were touring a lot while making music in the studio. Home life was very far from normal, and for every member of the band, they claimed to miss their family and think of them every second.
As time progresses in the midst of the early/ late 90’s, Phil Collins settles down and decides what he didn’t think of at the time as a “break.” In this time, Phil picks up a bad alcoholism problem that has him at his local bar every night. It gets worse and Phil ends up in an urgent care unit in Switzerland (he lived there at the time) where he admits he almost died. Thankfully, he came out alive with rehab by his side and his sons, Matthew and Nicholas, made him stronger everyday. Around this time his song, “You’ll be in My Heart” appears in the motion picture Tarzan; he dedicated the song to his two sons. Genesis after the breakup, when they are catching up as solo artists, realized that they still have this extraordinary chemistry when they perform as one. So, they decide to reunite, and all Mike, Tony, Daryl, and Phil rehearse.
Their big bang was their latest tour in 2007 called the “ Turn it On Again Tour.” It was a very wide spread tour that included a lot of lights, cameras and amazing features. I believe there is a documentary, maybe of this tour; but others too. You can look around on YouTube. But if you have got the chance, look up “Sussudio.” Phil Collins still lives with that song being his mantra! Quite funny, too! Genesis on!
Miranda MacNeill is a tenth grader at Dracut High School. She is a passionate guitarist; she’s developing her own music and finding her sound. She is in the Marching/Jazz Band and Concert Band at school. She loves to make poetry and daydreams about creative ideas. She also loves to do workouts and walking trails in her free time.
