For Absent Friends......Taking A Look Back

For Absent friends can be found on Nursery Cryme and it takes us on a journey in time from the perspective of a widowed couple. A simple track under 2 minutes that is amazing song.The couple attend church together, and reflect upon their past friendships and people they have lost. Steve Hackett and Phil Collins are credited for writing this little gem. (Although the album gives credit to all five members) 

This song reflects a writing style that would continue long into the modern era of Genesis. The band would continue to write songs that ask us to look at our lives through a looking glass per say. Whether it was Duchess, Ripples, Man on the Corner or No Son of Mine, the lyrics ask us to "take a look back." Some songs can be haunting like Dreaming While You Sleep as they explore the dark side of human experiences. 

For some fans, the mythical allegorical lyrics mean the most to them. For me, it is the songs like "For Absent Friends" that mean the most. They challenge me to understand another person's world, one that I may not understand. The challenges that people must face in a lifetime define who they are as a person. Trauma or life changing events can only be understood by the individual, and we can only see their life through our own prism, which casts doubts whether they are one of us. This darker side of imagery is what makes Genesis songs truly special. 

Footnotes - Mayhew, Stewart, and Wilson

The anniversary of Calling All Stations has spiked a renewed interest in Ray Wilson. His contributions have accelerated into a conversation that he deserves a place in Genesis history. While he does deserve a place, he also deserves the proper context.

Ray Wilson has more in common with members that started with the band, than he does with major contributors in the band. His legacy is similar to Chris Stewart and John Mayhew. They are footnotes to the history. They played on albums that generally are considered to be less reflective of the Genesis music that fans embrace in their catalog. All three have contributions that also less significant than other members. Musically, their impact was not as important in regards to the band's history. One can counter that Anthony Philip's tenure you was similar, however Anthony Philips is credited for pushing the band in the direction we have come to known as Genesis. This is not a trait associated with other members of the band including Wilson.

Wilson is recent in the band's history. While their are critics of Mike and Tony's decision to end their relationship, Wilson does profit from the timing of his tenure in the band. Since his departure in the late 90's, he plays a lot of Genesis music as part of his catalog. His counterparts with similar histories were unable to profit from their experiences as Wilson does today. And this may be his biggest contribution to the band. Similar to tribute bands like the Musical Box, he keeps the music relevant for new fans to discover. This might be Ray's greatest contribution to Genesis. Musically, he is still a footnote in the history of Genesis, and not a major contributor, which is why fans are so divided about Ray Wilson's place in Genesis history. 

4 Reasons Why 80's Genesis Deserves More Respect

Time and time again, the 70's era fans of Genesis want us to believe life ended when Steve and Peter left the band. The band lost it's prog roots and were sell outs. Limited to 1970 -1977, fans of the prog era truly disrespect the 3 person era of Genesis by suggesting the music was not very good. There were so many creative aspects to 80's era Genesis that we take for granted. It was a great time for the band, and they always honored the past by playing the songs from the past with renewed vigor.

I am a big fan of Steve Hackett. His concert was one of the best I have seen in quite a long time. However, as someone that loves all eras of Genesis, I found myself missing some of the 80's contributions to the band, including the older material that Steve plays so well in his concert. Steve plays the music just like they were intended to be played int he 1970's . I realized what makes 80's era Genesis special, is that the older music was reincarnated by the band to be something totally different for fans. It's okay to love Steve and 80's era Genesis.

If you are not a fan of 80's Genesis, here are some things to consider:

Live in Concert - Each album in the 80's that provided a live tour also had a live album to accompany the tour. We forget that Chester Thompson and Daryl Stuermer provided their unique talents to the live shows. Daryl receives more criticism because he is actually replacing an original member. Anything he does will not stand the test of Steve Hackett fans. Daryl was a great addition to the band. He often times is credited for expanding the bass and guitar sections in live shows in partnership with Mike Rutherford. They two complimented each other by playing to each other's strengths.

Drum Duets - Over time, Phil and Chester provided memorable percussion experiences and double drum sessions throughout the concert. This was non-existent during the prog era. One of the things I found myself missing during the Steve Hackett concert was Phil and Chester's drumming. This is not a slam on Steve's drummer as he is honoring the Phil Collin's era of the band. Phil and Chester brought powerful sections of the older material that greatly improved the songs during the 1980's in my humble opinion. For example, Afterglow became a thunderous song with the addition of the double drums at the end. In the cage and Los Endos took on a life of their own during live shows. Even Supper's Ready in my opinion was played during the Invisible Touch tour with such energy, that no other version was close matching the musical quality played during that tour. Every prog era song was greatly improved up during the live shows in the 80's.

Medleys - Some people hate the medleys. I however am a fan of the medleys. For me, they provided a unique way to honor the past. My favorite medley was from the We Can't Dance tour. It became an integral part of the 3 man Genesis era. Each album brought us unique live shows that combined sections of some of Genesis's greatest songs from the past. Again, the medleys provided for improvisational drumming, keyboards, and guitar play that are unique to this era.

Staging - The big arena era provide us with better lighting and atmosphere. The theatrics of Peter are long gone and the music in my opinion becomes the centerpiece of the live shows. All the lighting and special effects replace the costumes and highlight crescendos and quiet moments during the live shows in a way that I loved being a part of when I saw Genesis live during this era.

Some reading this article will always debate the prog era was better than 80's Genesis. For those with an open mind, give this era a chance and listen to the live sets. Order some live videos or watch some of the concerts on YouTube. Judge for yourself. You may find yourself loving this era as much as I do.

ABACAB.....Vinyl to Live Shows Makes All The Difference.

I love ABACAB as a stellar example of the 3 piece era. It is a transitional piece from that represents for me a significant shift in the band. The entire album is a great album. (I know some hate whodunnit) 

Overall, I think some people struggle with the shorter songs. The simplicity of songs like Lonely Man on the Corner. Genesis would start songs differently sometimes only choosing to have intros with vocals and synthesizers. Yet there is magic in the air. Sometimes simple is better. Lonely Man on the Corner is just as powerful in my opinion as many Genesis live songs from the 70s. It gave me chills the first time I heard it. 

Critics have charged that some songs are pop. They also say the complexity of the group is gone. However I beg to differ. For those who attended the live shows in the 80s, they played their songs with passion and the complexity was still there. In fact, songs like ABACAB were extended in live versions and the 5 piece band would enhance the songs from vinyl. The records were a tapestry for new imaginative music. You can't reinvent Supper's Ready over and over again. So many bands like Yes would make that mistake. Instead, Phil, Mike and Tony would challenge themselves to reinvent the music, and enhance it live. This gave us so many new songs and for me, they are just as good as the prog era. T

Live versions of the vinyl counterparts would take a life of their own. The songs  were extended versions masterfully played by the group. Each member would perform the song with their own fresh take. For example, Phil and Chester greatly increased the persussions of their vinyl counterparts, Mike and Daryl extended the solos for bass and guitar and added fun snappy riffs. Tony provide the foundation. It all came together. This was the magic of the 3 piece era.

The prog critics fail to enjoy the enhanced versions of the songs from the 80s. To dismiss Home by the Sea, Domino, Behind the Lines, Dodo and Mama just to name a few is to make a huge mistake in my opinion. The changes in the band provide us with such a wonderful discography. And the live versions are treasures for many to discover that is the magic of Genesis. 

(1984 version of ABACAB....my favorite) 

Did Daryl Let The Cat Out Of The Bag That Phil Is Coming To Chicago?

Is Phil Collins coming to the United States in the fall? He might be and we have Daryl Stuermer to thank for the heads up. A few months ago there was a mistake on Daryl's page that listed Chicago dates with the same background used for the Not Dead Yet European dates this summer. It was a 5 day stint in Chicago. The post was shared on the Facebook p
age Positively Genesis. Unfortunately, when the error was discovered, it was quickly removed and no one copied the the post.

There are a few reasons for the post to have some relevance. It was posted by Daryl on his site. He has roots in Milwaukee, and may have been excited to play so close to home. Next, it follows the same pattern of Phil's European tour. Multiple nights in a centralized location. Phil has said he is not going to do a long extended tour. Chicago would be perfect for a multiple night stop due to its geographic location.

If the post was accurate, this means Phil is coming to the states in the fall. We will have to wait and see. One reason for the removal of the post could be due to Phil wanting to see how he reacts to extended dates in Europe. It is all speculation for now, however the possibilities for fans in the states to see him only creates anticipation and excitement that he will be here soon.

Will There Be Clues For A Genesis Reunion As Phil Collins Goes On Tour?

Rumors are starting to be shared that Phil Collins will have a few songs from the Genesis archive in his set. Could this be true? If it is, could this be motivation for a future Genesis reunion down the road? Here is why I think this would be significant if Phil plays some songs from Genesis. Whether he plays or not, there are other motivating factors for a reunion.

In an interview back in October, Collin's son was quoted that the Genesis material is from a drummers perspective, significant and challenging to play. I almost got the sense he felt playing for Genesis would be difficult in comparison to playing his father's music. As a drummer, he may pressure his father to go out with Genesis in the future.

Next, Mike Rutherford is playing along side Phil with the Mechanics. Most likely and interactions between Phil and his son will be nostalgic. Again, this reminds Phil that the idea of a reunion would fun for all parties involved. Phil did after all mention that his writing the book brought back fond memories of Genesis.

Whether Phil plays songs from Genesis or not, his returning to the stage is a positive step towards a reunion. Most likely the trio will unite as Steve and Pete will forgo the three member era of music. In my opinion, this is why we will see a trio reunion as it would be more appealing to play all eras with Nicholas on the drums. It is all speculation for now.....soon we will know.

(Sample Set From Previous Florida Rehearsals For The Little Dreams Foundation- Not The Current List)

Shhhh.....I Love Phil Collins....And He Is Going to Surprise You!

Genesis fans are in two camps with Phil Collins. Basically, Genesis fans love him or hate him for his role in Genesis. For the purpose of this article, I am giving full disclosure. I love Phil. I think he has always been the reason why we talk about Genesis in such large numbers today. I believe if the ban
d ended in 1975, we would have the same fan base as most 70s prig bands which is minimal. Genesis would have faded to much less significance and generations would not have discovered the band if was not for Phil, Mike, Steve, and Tony continuing to make more music.

I am not going to debate the merits of Gabriel, Hackett and Collins era music. Fan groups have beaten it to death. Instead, I am going to talk about his upcoming tour. I think we are going to be surprised what Phil has left in the tank. Somehow, through his motivation of his son's ambition to learn more about his father, Phil is overcoming many health issues to play again.  And it is this motivation that will lead to a Genesis reunion down the road. His son is a drummer, and wants to learn about his father's music. If you read Phil's book, he has discussed how much he loves the history of Genesis. Once this tour is finished, we may see the band play tour one more time, and I for one will pay a hefty price to see this happen.

Another thing I have noticed is Phil has been missing since last fall. For those who doubt or dismiss Phil, I think you will see a healthier and more energetic Phil Collins than his past few appearances. The return to music will prove to be an extension of Phil's personal health and wellness. I even think we will more limited percussionist duties than In The Air Tonight. This is why I admire Phil Collins. Never dismissive or negative, he stays positive in the most trying times. This guy's prediction is Phil will overcome his health problems and deliver an emotional return to music. This is why I love Phil Collins. He is genuinely a great father, who will overcome all odds to give his son and his fans one more live appearance so we can talk about it for years to come. Go Phil!

*Authors Note: For fans reading in the United States, did anyone catch the error on Daryl' Stuermer's website? About a month ago, it was posted briefly that Phil was coming to Chicago. It was posted on my fan site than it disappeared within 20 minutes. I think the error was significant and Phil may play multiple nights in Chicago. Stay tuned.

The Problem With Ranking Genesis Albums

You see it time and time again.... The Genesis rankings. They are usually the same. Prog era 1-7 and then the rest. The uniqueness of Genesis fails to account for the body of their work. Each era is different, not better. It is discriminated by taste, not quality. For each extended song from the prog era there is a pop song that can be considered just as great by others. It is up the listener to decide which song they like. Rankings mean nothing.

To prove my point, I just recently read a list from prog-sphere. They claim the From Genesis to Revelation is better than Abacab and We Can't Dance. Really? The first album is a tribute album to the Beatles at best. Most songs are 3-5 minutes long which by prog standards are "pop" songs. The only rationale for ranking this album so high is that it does not have Phil Collins on the album, and there lies the problem. Fading Lights is much closer to prog than Silent Sun, but some dislike the Collin's era Genesis to acknowledge the contributions that were excellent songs.

There will never be a ranking that reflects a general consensus of the music. Fans are divided into 2 eras of Genesis (Some are 3 eras if you included the 2 post Gabriel albums with the foursome.) These lists serve to divide our tastes in music, not unite them.  Does it really matter? For new fans, they love the music as a whole, and that's the best ranking of all.

Darth Vader......Agitator....... Asking Questions Wanting To Know Why

If you live in the United States, have you ever noticed that being a fan of Genesis can result in that awkward moment that you are singing the song incorrectly due to the strong English accents of Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel are difficult to understand?  For us in the states, we sometimes sing the songs incorrectly for years without realizing the lyrics are not what we thought they were. One of the biggest mistakes that I made for years was a line from the song Dodo on the ABACAB album. For years I played the song in my car loudly singing.... "Darth Vader......Agitator" never realizing that Phil actually said, "Dog Baiter.....Agitator" In fact, whether it was Three Sides Live or Abacab, I made the same mistake. I can only imagine what people must have thought when I was at the concert singing the wrong lyrics. I have read that other fans thought this was the lyric, and my mistake was not unique to me. The question is, are there other Genesis lyrics we sang incorrectly? Please feel free to comment and share your Genesis mistakes.

Getting To Know You Better - The Biographies Of Genesis

As part of our continuing growth, Positively Genesis has added biographies of all the members of Genesis. Whether you are new to Genesis or a 50 year fan, biographies are a key part of learning about the group. Each member has a rich history that helps us understand their contributions to the band. Biographies allow fans to get to know each member with much more depth. The history of each member will provide some insight into the many changes that occurred within the band. Biographies provide us the richness of learning about each member. There is a story for every member of Genesis that is as diverse as the band's music. Positively Genesis wants to collect the history of each member for fans to enjoy.

You can find the links to biographies on the right side of the blog (Scroll Down). Feel free to suggest additional biographies you know about online that do not appear in the links.

Your Kids Might Be Sampling Genesis Without Even Realizing It

The other day, I was listening to my son's music in the car and heard Logic's City Of Stars. I thought to myself, "Hey that's Steve Hackett in the opening." Sure enough, the intro was from Days Long Ago. I felt like such a cool dad hearing a sample of Steve's music. This is not the first time I have heard a Genesis sample in a song. Nor will it be my last.

Thanks to my son, I have heard samples of Genesis in Rap/Hip Hop songs. In fact, it is often my son who recognizes the sampling when I listen to Genesis songs. There is a fascination with Genesis. While Phil Collins has the largest amount of samples with his solo work, what might surprise fans is that Genesis is sampled extensively from their catalog of older songs from 1970-1977. In fact, Genesis is sampled more than Peter Gabriel and the other band members.

Sampling honors the past. If you would like to hear and research sampled songs from Genesis, copy and past the following link in your browser: http://www.whosampled.com/search/?q=Genesis

We will also archive the link on the right.

Facebook Pages Now On Positively Genesis

A new archival link can be found on the Positively Genesis Blog. We will be collecting Facebook Pages that are tributes to the band. If you would like to add or suggest a page, please let us know. This helps us create a larger database of archived collections for the band we love.

Don't Laugh....Stever Hackett Might Be On To Something

Today we read that Steve Hackett is in secret discussions with Peter Gabriel to discuss a Genesis Reunion. As usual, this kind of news is met with the usual skepticism. The Progs of course say things like, "All We Need Is Steve and Pete!" and the Modern Era wants Phil Tony and Mike as part of a tour. The bottom line is, our opinion does not matter. What we fail to understand is the window is closing for all the members. Steve is striking while the timing is right. And, I think Genesis Fans that have given up hope forget the one factor that is still dangling out there. Money. This is their last chance to pad the retirement accounts. Even with their wealth, never underestimate the power of money.


When I met and listened to Steve, he was blunt. He said, "Promoters want him to play Genesis because his tours get a much larger audience." I am quite sure all the members of Genesis know that a substantial payday will be for the taking with a reunion tour. Not one date like 1983, a series of concerts that travel the world for all of their fans.


Why am I so confident Steve has a chance? Think about 2016. Did you ever think Peter Gabriel and Sting would tour together? Such an odd pairing. It was however a wise one. They shared the stage because it lessens the wear and tear on their bodies and more importantly their voice. Then we had that magical moment when Pete gave us a taste of "Selling England......By The Pound." You think that was just for nostalgia? It was a great teaser when Sting sang it, and it was ramped up by Pete to get the Genesis fans to respond to the success of Sting singing the opening lyrics.

Picture From Daily Express

Aging rock stars reunite to pad the bank accounts. Steve is for sure going to discuss the benefits of a reunion with the fab 5, and reflect on the following: He will reflect how his tour was financially successful. So was Sting and Peter. Phil and Mike sold out in England at record prices for their show together. Why not strike when the iron is hot? Now here is the selling point that I think will work. Steve Hackett, who has the most energy for a 2.5 hr. show would be the bridge for a similar show like Sting and Peter had in 2016. Steve played with both eras and this would allow them to split the show for Peter and Phil. We often discuss Phil's health issues, however Peter has aged also and would benefit from a shorter set list. His voice is not as strong as Phil's in my opinion and sharing the stage would be a smart strategy. Mike and Tony can still play the songs during the entire show. You could also include Nick Collins if you wanted with Chester for the double drum portions from the Seconds Out Era of Genesis. This could appeal to Phil, as his son wants to play Genesis as stated in a recent interview. 

Forget Steve's bitterness from Sum of All Parts. I am sure some will use that as an argument against a reunion. They get along just fine and incorporating Steve back into the band would be easier than people think. I think the timing is right, and we may be in for a surprise. Even if Steve is a catalyst for Phil, Mike and Tony to reunite with Chester and Daryl, I think we have chances that one more Genesis tour will be a result of the recent chatter. No matter what happens, the fans will come out and support one last tour, and the financial incentives will bring us something in 2018 in my humble opinion.

It Sure Is Tough To Be A Post Gabriel/Hackett Fan Of Genesis

When you read the comments in the Genesis forums, they can be pretty brutal regarding the modern era. Phil is crap, Mike and Tony are assholes, the list goes on and on. If you like all 3 eras, you will never get a break from the criticisms. It is what it is to be a fan of the entire Genesis catalog.

The dilemma for Genesis modernists is you can not explain yourself to progressive fans. You will be immediately dismissed, criticized, and downright insulted. It is offensive to them to like anything after Steve left. Even though "And Then There Were Three" earns some praise, for many Progressive listeners, this album was the beginning of the end of Genesis.

Fans of all eras are valid that many great songs and albums came after Wind and Wuthering. The band changed, no doubt about it. The important thing is they stayed relevant. They kept a delicate balance of long songs to compliment the short songs. They also honored the past and kept the 70s Genesis alive and well through medleys and reinventions of the prog-era music catalog. The band never ran away from their past as they made new music. They had to play a shortened catalog as new albums were produced. It only makes sense that some songs were not going to be played every tour.  And it made sense to have medleys that combined favored songs by fans.

Many progressives will never enjoy Domino, Home By The Sea, Duke's Travels and Dreaming While You Sleep. That is their loss and our gain. Whenever I hear they produced horrible music after ATTWT, I just dismiss their criticism, as I love all of the songs. I just categorize them in a different light. Even Invisible Touch is a great song. It is part of a pop category that I allow to exist in an long overarching career. It was a song written to entertain, just like Harold The Barrel. However much more of a hit because the fan reached a larger audience.

I recently saw Steve Hackett. While I am the first to admit he is brilliant, that does not mean that the modern five day trio were any better or any worse. I loved that Steve played Afterglow, but I missed the extended version with the amazing double drum ending of Phil and Chester. I loved the Musical Box, but can say Phil's screaming and theatrics were also a fun take on the song. When you see Steve in person, you realize Daryl added more of a fusion/jazz component to Genesis classics. I realized that there are subtle creative differences that both eras have that are simply brilliant. If you are a fan of all eras, you will notice the greatness of the modern era of Genesis by paying respect to Steve and Peter's era of Genesis. Unfortunately, by dismissing the modern era, you miss out on the greatness of each tour. Phil, Mike and Tony provide changes to the Progressive Era music that were fresh takes on the older material. In 2007, I loved Phil's romanticizing of Ripples with repeated choruses of sail away.....He was brilliant. It was haunting in some ways. Each tour has a unique take whereas Steve stays loyal to the original recording. It is each band members prerogative how to honor the music.

I have learned to ignore or incite those who limit themselves to one or two eras of Genesis. They are missing out, not me on the future catalog of music and concert tours. It is too bad they do not want to recognize or respect other people's opinions. Nor is it right in my opinion to speak so harshly about the band in the modern era. It will not stop them, but at least we who like he modern era can enjoy a much larger catalog of music, and recognize the genius of great songs that were created after Steve left the band.

That Night In Buffalo With Steve Hackett

Before I write this, I have a disclaimer. I never saw Steve Hackett live, nor did I see him play Genesis before I saw him on 3/4/17 in Buffalo NY. I am a big fan as with all members, however somehow I never saw Steve live. A friend of mind told me you have to see Steve, it will blow you away. I thought to myself, okay, I should go, as I heard for years Steve was amazing.

My buddy was meticulous in planning. He bought the tickets six months in advance. We were front and center for the show thanks to his hard work. A car length from the legend himself. I could see the mastery of his guitar work throughout the night.
We also were lucky enough to get VIP tickets. Not only was I going to the concert, I was going to meet one of my childhood heroes from Genesis. As the concert neared, I realized something special was brewing. This was the last concert in North America.  There was a philharmonic orchestra which in the past brought many magical memories. And, the band seemed really excited about this show. A few weeks before the show, social media posts hinted it was going to be epic. One member called it, "The Big One."
This concert was "The Big One." It has taken me a week to even write about my experience. This was not like the previous performances on this tour. Steve and his band revisited Genesis thoroughly. He only played 3 solo songs. The audience was treated to many songs from the past. The orchestra, like the fans were truly involved in this magical night. Supper's Ready was incredible. We were treated to the Musical Box and Afterglow plus many more favorites from the is time period.
Nad was an amazing vocalist. His range live was much better than anything I had heard on YouTube. He can sing Peter and Phil's contributions to the band, which is no easy task. Gary O'Toole was an amazing drummer, and to hear him sing Blood On The Rooftops, which was never performed live would give anyone goosebumps The song was one of the greatest songs ever written by Genesis in Steve's opinion, and I could not agree more. Hauntingly good!
Nick Beggs is a great bassist. He covers the Rutherford contributions with great class. Rob Townsend plays the Gabriel era sound with haunting control of the flute and percussion. He also plays the sax in some songs which I truly liked. The keyboards were played by Roger King and represented the Banks era of music with strong solos that only Genesis fans could expect.
The highlight of the night however was Steve Hackett. He, like the other members of Genesis is in a league of his own. His presence is all about the music. There was very little talking between songs which is different from Phil and Peter. He rolls with the music. You will see a grin or smile of enjoyment with each song. He loves the music and truly educates the audience how many of the signature pieces we may have thought were Tony's contributions were truly his. The sounds he makes on his guitar is truly unique and great to witness. It captivates the audience. All you hear is the history of Genesis. The audience quickly becomes polite and applauds only during breaks in the music, often to standing ovations.
Meeting Steve Hackett after the show allowed me to get to know the person. Humble and kind, Steve is all about Genesis. His solo career and albums are amazing, however he shared with us that Genesis has special meaning to him. He cherishes the time from 71-77. What surprised me the most is he gushes over Wind and Wuthering as the best album of the entire catalog. His take is that this album was the best marriage between classical and rock music that was ever produced. He felt it was their greatest work, and I agree with his assessment.
That night in Buffalo is one of those special nights that Genesis fans will talk about for years. The response on Social Media was so strong after the performance. All of the fan forums were a buzz with excitement. I felt lucky to be part of this special night. If Steve comes back next year for another performance, I am sure the show will be sold out quickly. The love if Genesis with the backing of a full orchestra makes for an epic night. This is the magic of Genesis. I am so thankful that Steve honors this era of Genesis.

Will We See Tribute Bands For Phil Collins Era Genesis?

Its hard to imagine, but we have never seen a full reproduction of Genesis concerts from 1978 - 1992? The Musical Box and many tribute bands have painstakingly reproduced the earlier era Genesis. However, we have not seen any full reproductions of the Mirrors, Duke, Abacab, and modern era Genesis tours. (Not so modern anymore?)

It would be a huge undertaking, as these tours were more expensive as the band became a large stadium tour band. The costs for such an experiment would be a huge risk for a band. However, it would be something new for fans to enjoy. The Progressive Era has enjoyed a huge following. The question is, would the Phil Collins era enjoy similar success?

I would love to see Abacab, Behind the Lines, Duchess, Home by the Sea and many of the medleys that were a part of later Genesis tours. Many of the Phil Collin's era of Genesis songs were great to see live. The band would refine and extend album material into fan favorites.

Steve Hackett has demonstrated that post Gabriel material is alive and well. Could you imagine a reproduction of the Seconds Out tour with Bill Bruford? The possibilities are endless. There are bands that play material from all eras, however I have not seen a full concert reproduced with the same efforts as seen by Gabriel era tribute bands.

At this point, it is a wish to see the shows reproduced, but I am hopeful that the post Gabriel era witnesses the same revival as the Gabriel era.

HAPPY 2017 - The Revival Begins!

Happy 2017. This is going to be an important year for a generation of fans of Genesis. As Phil Collins makes the stage as he is, if you have not heard not dead yet, Genesis fans will surely be given hope of a reunion in 2018/19. It is inevitable.

His son is learning the trade as a drummer. While Phil's solo work will surely be excellent training, I can not help but wonder if the young man wants to graduate to Genesis. The young apprentice always wants more.....

Mike and Steve will stay busy in 2017. I am planning on seeing Steve in March of 2017. Steve is so loyal to the early years, and deserves credit for connecting with a new generation of fans. It is going to be a truly magical year for Genesis fans.

Finally, the tribute bands and in full force. Regionally and nationally Genesis seems stronger than ever. There is something magical in the air, and its greater than Times Square, that's for sure. Have a happy new year. And may 2017 be a great one for all of my fellow Genesis fans.