Genesis fans pre-1977 can be brutal. Especially when it comes to Phil Collins. If you are a fan of all the eras, you have heard the same tired criticisms for years. I remember the debates going back to the early 1980s. I found myself getting accustomed to the constant criticisms over time. I grew up in the Northeastern United States. It was a rite of passage to talk about Peter Gabriel v. Phil Collins. When Steve started to play Genesis in the twilight of his career in the 21st Century, his fans were just as critical of the newer music from Genesis.
I am fine with a difference of opinions. What I strongly dislike is that the comments are quite personal.
In the past, Phil always had to deal with sarcasm and comments about his personal life. Today though, I find the comments about Phil's health to be quite cruel. People even mock his inability to walk and stand for extended periods of time. I saw one post that said the tour was sponsored by La-Z-Boy (Furniture) This was surely a jab at Phil's inability to leave his chair.
In the past, Phil always had to deal with sarcasm and comments about his personal life. Today though, I find the comments about Phil's health to be quite cruel. People even mock his inability to walk and stand for extended periods of time. I saw one post that said the tour was sponsored by La-Z-Boy (Furniture) This was surely a jab at Phil's inability to leave his chair.
Addressing the cruelty online is can be just as unforgiving. If you stick up for Phil or Genesis, you get labeled a "Karen" or something derogatory. It is truly sad how aggressive people are towards fans that just want to enjoy the show.
I have found that there is the strangest profile for this group that loves to show shade towards the band. One train is most if not all that I have witnessed will never attend the show. In fact, they think they have to share with everyone, "I won't be attending." Phew.... thank goodness we learned that information. Another trait is they spend countless hours and days stalking Genesis fansites that include the modern era. They feel it's their responsibility to share with fans that enjoy all eras of Genesis that this band sucks. Another odd feature is they have to compare and contrast Steve Hackett's tour with the current Genesis tour. (Truly, I feel bad for Steve. They share all the great stories about his tour on the Genesis sites, not his.) One thing is for sure. Those that hate this band are a quirky and angry set of people that feel it is important to rain on the reunion.
People of this nature probably have enjoyed soft targets their entire life. It somehow makes them feel better about themselves. They were most likely the schoolyard bully wanting more soft targets to pick on. I am sure Phil was one of many soft targets in their long illustrious career. After all, most of the nastiness comes from the 50 - 75-year-old crowd. They most likely have a long history of hating their own lot in life, so they have to be miserable about other people to make themselves feel better.
Some of the song choices speak to the band's current situation. Duchess for example is about the rise and fall of an artist. How powerful to hear Phil sing:
Oh but time went by
It wasn't so easy now, all uphill, and not feeling so strong.
Yes times were hard,
Too much thinking 'bout the future and what people might want.
Another song that appears in the song set is Fading Distant Lights. Similar to Duchess, I found the lyrics to be powerful. It felt more like the Final Curtain call as I watch Phil look at Tony and Mike while he sang the lyrics. There is truly something special about this tour. I can't wait until I experience first-hand in Buffalo NY. I won't allow the negative comments to change my opinion. I hope some reading this will be encouraged to rethink their comments about the band when they turn cruel. Surely you can go to Steve's concert or put on a classic album you enjoy as an alternative to harassing us.
A bunch of obsessive psychopaths they are, nothing more. If they cared so much, they should have supported Steve's solo work too, not only his current tribute band.
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