Genesis
Genesis were an English rock band formed in 1967 at Charterhouse School in Godalming, Surrey. The band's longest-lasting and most commercially successful line-up consisted of keyboardist Tony Banks, bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford and drummer/singer Phil Collins. In the 1970s, during which the band also included singer Peter Gabriel and guitarist Steve Hackett, Genesis were among the pioneers of progressive rock. Banks and Rutherford were the only constant members throughout the band's history.
The band was formed by Charterhouse pupils Banks, Rutherford, Gabriel, guitarist Anthony Phillips, and drummer Chris Stewart and were named by pop impresario and alumnus Jonathan King, a former Charterhouse pupil who arranged the recording of several singles and their debut album From Genesis to Revelation (1969). After splitting from King, the band began touring, signed with Charisma Records, and shifted to progressive rock with their next album Trespass (1970). Phillips left the band and Banks, Rutherford and Gabriel recruited Collins and Hackett before recording Nursery Cryme (1971). Their live shows subsequently gained notoriety for Gabriel's theatrical costumes and performances. Foxtrot (1972) was their first charting album in the UK, while Selling England by the Pound (1973) reached number three and featured their first UK hit single, "I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)". Gabriel left the group following a transatlantic tour for their concept double album, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974).
Collins took over as lead singer and, as a four-piece, the group released A Trick of the Tail and Wind & Wuthering (both 1976) with continued success. Hackett left the band in 1977, reducing the group to a three-piece of Banks, Rutherford and Collins. Their ninth studio album, ...And Then There Were Three... (1978), contained the band's first major hit, "Follow You Follow Me". Their next five studio albums – Duke (1980), Abacab (1981), Genesis (1983), Invisible Touch (1986) and We Can't Dance (1991) – saw the band embracing a more pop-oriented sound and achieving massive commercial success. Collins left Genesis in 1996 and was replaced by singer Ray Wilson for their final studio album, Calling All Stations (1997). Disappointing reception led the group to disband until Banks, Rutherford and Collins reunited for the Turn It On Again Tour in 2007 and The Last Domino? Tour in 2021.
With 100 million to 150 million albums sold worldwide, Genesis rank among the world's best-selling music artists. Their discography spans fifteen studio and six live albums. They won numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Concept Music Video for "Land of Confusion", and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. They inspired numerous tribute acts recreating stage shows from different eras of the band's career.
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