On October 13th of last year Steve Hackett and his band mesmerized a Collingswood crowd with selections of Genesis music from 1971-’77, his period in the influential group. By overwhelming popular demand, the Genesis Re-Visited Tour returns for two shows on March 27 and 28. “I look forward to returning to the Scottish Rite Auditorium,” says Steve from his home in West London. “It has a great atmosphere and a fantastic audience. In fact, it’s the only venue in America that we are returning to, after performing Genesis Re-Visited there last year.” Anyone who was in attendance last year will be happy to know that the 2014 version will be a bit different. “Yes there will be some changes to the show,” says Steve. “Favorites from last year with some new stuff as well, Genesis classics we’ve not yet played. It promises to be a colorful ride with a new twist.”
Since forming during 1967 at Charterhouse School in England, Genesis have gone on to be one of the most successful and influential bands of the progressive genre with albums such as: “Nursery Cryme,” “Foxtrot,” “Selling England By The Pound” and “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway.” The classic lineup of: Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett, Phil Collins, Michael Rutherford and Tony Banks were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. Even though many of these compositions are over 40 years old, to Genesis fans, they remain relevant. “Our music is timeless,” says Steve, “Because it continues to give enjoyment to many people and has stood the test of time.”
Respected as a virtuoso guitarist, Hackett himself didn’t start playing until the age of 12, and although he never took any formal lessons, he went on to develop a truly unique style of playing, becoming one of the first guitarists to use a two-handed “tapping” technique, which later became the industry standard via Edward Van Halen. According to Steve, “The ‘tapping’ originally came about when I was trying some ideas out on the acoustic guitar. I was pleased when Edward Van Halen went for it, and brought it to the forefront of rock music.” Steve’s playing has influenced not only Van Halen, but also the likes of Alex Lifeson of Rush and Brian May of Queen among others.
Genesis fans wanting to see a reunion of the classic lineup had their hopes dashed in 2011 when Phil Collins announced that he was retiring from music. Last year however, Collins announced that he was seriously considering a comeback to music, “Even with Genesis,” thus fueling reunion rumors. Peter Gabriel, who will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame this year as a solo artist, told Rolling Stone in December “A Genesis reunion has never been ruled out. I'm trying to picture a time when it would top my priorities list though.” As far as Steve’s concerned, “It still seems unlikely, but my door remains open.” The last time the “classic lineup” of Genesis performed together was in 1982.
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