Genesis

Genesis
Genesis performing live on their 2007 US tour in Pittsburgh. (Left to right: Daryl Stuermer, Mike Rutherford, Tony Banks, Phil Collins. Not pictured: Chester Thompson)
Background information
Origin	Godalming, Surrey, England
Genres	Rock, progressive rock, pop rock
Years active	1967–1999 2006–present
Labels	Virgin, Charisma, Atlantic, Atco, Decca, ABC, Impulse!, Rhino
Associated acts	GTR, Mike + The Mechanics, Brand X, Stiltskin, Gordian Knot, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Mike Rutherford, Tony Banks, Steve Hackett, Anthony Phillips
Website	www.genesis-music.com
Members
Tony Banks Phil Collins Mike Rutherford
Former members
Peter Gabriel Steve Hackett Anthony Phillips John Mayhew John Silver Chris Stewart Ray Wilson (musician)

Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Phil Collins (lead vocals and drums), Mike Rutherford (guitar and bass guitar), and Tony Banks (keyboards). Peter Gabriel, Anthony Phillips and Steve Hackett also played major roles in the band in its early days. Genesis are among the top 30 highest-selling recording artists of all time with approximately 150 million albums sold worldwide, including 21.5 million albums sold in the United States.

Genesis began as a 1960s pop band playing moody, simple keyboard-driven melodies. During the 1970s, they evolved into a progressive rock band, incorporating complex song structures and elaborate instrumentation, while their concerts became theatrical experiences with innovative stage design, pyrotechnics, elaborate costumes and onstage stories. This second phase was characterised by lengthy performances such as the 23 minute "Supper's Ready" and The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, the 1974 concept album. In the 1980s, the band produced accessible pop music based on melodic hooks; this change of direction gave them their first number one album in the United Kingdom, Duke, and their only number one single in the United States, "Invisible Touch".

Genesis has changed personnel several times. Stage fright forced founding member Anthony Phillips to leave the band in 1970. In 1975, Collins, then the band's drummer, replaced Gabriel as lead singer after a lengthy search for a replacement. To facilitate Collins's move to lead vocals during concerts, Bill Bruford, and later Chester Thompson, played drums for the band as they toured, with Collins joining in briefly during lengthy instrumental passages. After Phil Collins left the band in 1996, Genesis recruited Ray Wilson (formerly of Stiltskin), who appeared on the 1997 album Calling All Stations. As a result of the commercial failure of Calling All Stations, the band announced an indefinite hiatus. However, in 2007, Banks, Collins and Rutherford reunited for a 20-city tour of Europe and North America, which included a free concert at Rome's Circo Massimo in front of 500,000 fans. Genesis were among five performers inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.