When guitarist Steve Hackett left Genesis in October 1977, it wasn’t due to inner band turmoil or a decline in quality. One of the flagships of ’70s progressive rock, Genesis had already weathered the departure of founding frontman Peter Gabriel, and they’d carried on splendidly, releasing two excellent albums in 1976 (A Trick of the Tail and Wind & Wuthering) as a four-piece. No, when Hackett left Genesis (unexpectedly and rather unceremoniously) in ’77, it was because he had too many ideas to submit to a band democracy.
Though Hackett would never achieve the same level of commercial success as Genesis — or earn such an iconic spot in the annals of prog — his decision to fly solo proved more than fruitful: As of 2013, he’s released well over 20 studio and live albums, exploring a much more diverse range of styles (blues, flamenco, arena-rock) than the Genesis ranks would allow. He’s one of progressive rock’s most enduring and vibrant figures — and one of the few who’s consistently released high-quality work throughout the changes in sonic trends. His music has always existed in a world unto itself: never bowing to a commercial goal, never drawing a straight stylistic line. His discography is a giant fucking mess, and that’s its most beautiful quality.
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