Book review
“Turn It On Again – Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins & Genesis” by Dave Thompson.
Backbeat Books, San Francisco, 2005.
Until their apparent demise in the late ‘90s, Genesis were one of the longest running, most successful music acts in the world, having debuted in 1967. Dave Thompson’s new book covers every decade of their existence, as well as the careers of Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, the two frontmen who went on to enjoy equally massive success as solo artists.
Billed as the first book to cover the complete history of Genesis, Thompson’s book is probably the most comprehensive. I haven’t read Robin Platts’ “Genesis: Inside and Out (1967 – 2000)”, which, at 184 pages, can’t be seen as the definitive overview to date.
Thompson truly starts at the beginning, telling the stories about how future members of Genesis met at Charterhouse, an old, exclusive public boarding school, in 1963. Here, kids are taught to feel superior to the common folk and are not just educated, but trained to become leaders. Until 1965, the school’s most famous alumnus was Baden Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement. Jonathan King managed to score a massive world-wide hit with “Everyone’s Gone To The Moon” which caused some of the students to dream about being pop stars. In a return visit to Charterhouse, he was presented with a demo by an unnamed band and enjoyed the vocals of the lead singer, Peter Gabriel. To christen the start of his career as a music producer, he dubbed the unnamed band Genesis.
There is a mention of how few people thought Peter Gabriel was born to be a performer but instead saw him making a go in fashion. Gabriel found an old hat in his grandfather’s attic, had a manufacturer run off several copies, and sold them in London boutiques. Pop star Marianne Faithful bought one and became a regular customer of his.
Article comments
1 - SFC Ski
Thanks for the tip. Genesis was such a great band at one time, both during and after Peter Gabriel, and Phil Collins finding himself the frontman made for some great tunes, until he became too much the front man and started cranking out crap to the point where the mention of his name causes many to wince.
If Genesis wanted to play a show where they promised to play no songs from after 1982, I'd go see them.
2 - Tim Hall
If Genesis wanted to play a show where they promised to play no songs from after 1982, I'd go see them.
I think of Genesis as two quite different bands, who have little in common either musically or in their fan base.
Fans of the 'old' Genesis don't listen to anything after about 'Abacab'. And many fans of the later Genesis probably haven't even heard of anything before 'Duke'
3 - Alex Rawls
I couldn't bring myself to review this, mainly because I couldn't bring myself to read about the post-Gabriel years. The funny thing in the first half is how they seem like grumpy old men before they're 30.
4 - Tim Hall
I think the turning point wasn't Gabriel's departure, but that of Steve Hackett two years later.
5 - Dave
Nobody replaces the Keith Moon!
6 - Triniman
Well, for better or worse, Kenny Jones was already hired. No one has ever filled Moon's shoes. No one can.
7 - TheDarkCanuck
I was introduced to Genesis at age 9 with "Genesis". But until I was 18 I didn't realise they went back further than Abacab. After seeing the last tour with Phil I decided to listen to the songs from that 20 minute "old medley". Since then I have loved all aspects of the band from the beginning 'til We Can't Dance.
If you enjoy the old band, and have the chance, see "The Musical Box" perform. Its like a time warp. They are not a cover band, they are recreationists.
8 - Tim Hall
I saw The Musical Box in Manchester two and a half years ago.
Eric Olsen thought it was extremely funny that I found a show by a tribute band to the the best show I'd witnessed that year.
9 - Kendall Jackson
INTERNET RADIO GIANT to break New! Anthem for Peace Worldwide! Dedicated to Children affected by Tsunami (...and suffering children worldwide)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
New! Anthem for Peace and Unity
Cleveland, OH (Jan. 17, 2005) -- 'WOW'...'Touching'...'could be the most important musical message of today!' These are a few of the responses regarding the Special Release dedicated to the children affected by Tsunami, entitled GOD BLESS THE WORLD-WHILE YOU BLESS AMERICA written, produced and performed by Cleveland, Ohio native GREG JONES.
GOD BLESS THE WORLD is a powerful musical message of Peace and Unity which reflects today's harmony between all nations, putting differences aside, rallying together for the relief and recovery following the catastrophe in S. Asia.
With a We are the World 'feel', this heartwarming anthem is a unique blend of AC, Easy Listening and Soul combined with a thought provoking, inspirational message of Peace and Unity. In fact, GOD BLESS THE WORLD was recorded using the same mixing board used by Quincy Jones for the We are the World project. The Special Release from Greg Jones is garnering exciting reviews through top digital music websites in the U.S, Britain, Finland, Germany and recently entered the Australian Easy Listening Top 100 Music Charts at #8 with a bullet! Also, the anthem entered the UK Soft Rock Top 100 Music Charts at #7 and then climbed to #2!! Orville Records also recently inked a deal with MusicNet for additional web distribution through other top music sites including AOL MusicNet, Yahoo Launch, Virgin Digital, FYE Download and others.
Internet radio giant, Live365, the world's largest network of online radio stations, has signed on and will 'special feature' GOD BLESS THE WORLD through close to 2000 web radio stations worldwide. Commercial radio is also catching wind of this special release and experts have predicted GOD BLESS THE WORLD-While You Bless America to become a classic.
Jones shares,'The Tsunami has brought people of all walks together to help those in need, and with the current conditions that exist, it's obvious that we need God to Bless the World NOW...more than ever...for the Children!'
(Portion of net proceeds to benefit spouses of lost troops through Red Cross)
For more info contact Orville Records via e-mail at orvillerecords@aol.com or call 216/486-9688. Visit www.godblesstheworldonline.com
# # #
To see more do AOL or Google search...type-in 'greg jones god bless the world'
10 - andy marsh
back in the day, as they say, we used to drive up the 5 from SD to LA and when we got near the border check point we used to blast the illegal alien song as we were driving through...I don't know why we did it...thought it was funny I guess...at the time it was!
11 - jimmy the magnet
A lot of people are inspired by genesis, or not. Our band, gnemesis, is one of those people. You can listen to our songs on our web site www.gnemesis.net
Why is Genesis so big in italy?
12 - Triniman
Genesis reunited! Collins, Rutherford and Banks, all around 55-56 years of age, have announced 20 stadium shows in Europe to be followed by a larger tour. By the sounds of it, the Turn It On Again tour won't be fixated on hits.