Without question GENESIS, alongside YES, are the most influential of all Progressive Rock bands, although GENESIS have been able to make a successful transition from theatric art rock to the mainstream Pop market over the years. First created in 1967 by Charterhouse public school students and two ex members of THE GARDEN WALL, vocalist PETER GABRIEL and keyboard player TONY BANKS, the duo added ex-members of THE ANON, guitarist ANTHONY PHILLIPS, bassist Mick Rutherford and drummer Chris Stewart - to form GENESIS whilst still at school.

Having Signed to Decca Records both the band's first two singles failed to make any impact as did their debut album, 'From Genesis To Revelation' (which featured new drummer John Silver) which sold less than a thousand copies and prompted the fledgling group's split from Decca. Silver also departed in July 1969 and was supplanted by John Mayhew.

In 1970 GENESIS hooked up with manager Tony Stratton-Smith and the Charisma label. The band's second album, 'Trespass', also failed to make any impression and towards the end of 1970 Mayhew was ousted in favour of ex-FREEHOLD, HICKORY and FLAMING YOUTH drummer PHIL COLLINS. FLAMING YOUTH had previously issued three singles and one album, 'Ark II', in 1969 on the Fontana label.

Anthony Phillips also left to pursue a solo career during this period of change and in his stead came former QUIET WORLD guitarist STEVE HACKETT.

Phillips was later to issue a string of singles and albums, including 'The Geese And The Ghost' in 1977 and 'Wise After The Event' in 1978.

GENESIS' third album, 1971's 'Nursery Cryme', found Phil Collins supplying a lead vocal to the track 'For Absent Friends', but again failed to break the charts although the band began to initiate a heavy touring schedule which was to pay off with their next album.

1972's 'Foxtrot', featuring the epic 23 minute long 'Supper's Ready', provided the band with their first chart success, reaching number 12 in Britain.

A series of further chart albums was to follow as GENESIS consolidated their position until 1974's double concept album 'The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway' gave the band their first of what was to be many American chart entries. Despite this success PETER GABRIEL quit soon after the world tour had ended in mid 1975 opting for a solo career. Since departing the group Gabriel has forged his own unique niche and is a highly respected songsmith and world renowned artist, almost as well known for his innovative videos as for his actual music.

With Gabriel out of the band Phil Collins shifted from behind the drums to assume the lead vocal role and GENESIS continued to make artistic and commercial progress as, slowly but surely, the band shifted emphasis from conceptual Rock into Pop territory. Collins' place on the drum stool was occupied for touring purposes by ex YES and KING CRIMSON man Bill Bruford. Chester Thompson, having previously plied his trade with FRANK ZAPPA, then took the role although Collins was not afraid to step back into a percussive role live when required to do so in addition to his key frontman's role.

Collins also delved into Jazz Pop territory with his side outfit BRAND X, the group releasing six albums from the 1976 debut 'Unorthodox Behaviour' to 1980's 'Do They Hurt?'.

Following the live album 'Seconds Out' GENESIS lost another member as STEVE HACKETT left for solo territory. The ex guitarist's presence would be felt in spectacular fashion in 1986 when Hackett formed part of the platinum supergroup GTR alongside YES guitarist STEVE HOWE.

GENESIS persevered in the recording studio as a trio of Collins, Rutherford and Banks but this did little to harm their career. 1978's '... And Then There Were Three' album saw their first breakthrough into the American top 20 This was to set a trend as throughout the 80s GENESIS scored numerous hit singles on both sides of the Atlantic.

Having reached such stability within the group all three members felt able to indulge themselves in solo efforts. MIKE RUTHERFORD issued his debut solo effort 'Small Creep's Day' in 1980. PHIL COLLINS in particular amassed enormous commercial success with his Pop and R&B direction, although his debut solo single, 'In The Air Tonight', wasn't too far away from mothership GENESIS in style.

Collins also branched out into acting, appearing in a string of hit movies, including the popular 'Buster'. Rutherford also found healthy sales and respectability with his laid back Pop act MIKE AND THE MECHANICS fronted by erstwhile ACE keyboard player Paul Carrack and former SAD CAFE singer Paul Young.

Tony Banks' solo offerings enjoyed less success, although his first solo album, 1979's 'A Curious Feeling', reached number 21 in Britain and he followed that up with the top 50 'The Fugitive' in 1983.

Since the early 80s GENESIS have continually released countless chart successes with both singles, including 1982's 'Abacab', 1983's 'Mama', 1984's 'Invisible Touch' and 1992's rather controversial 'Jesus He Knows Me', and album formats as well as finding the time to engage in further solo work when the whim took them. Collins was to eventually quit the ranks in July 1997 to concentrate solely on his solo and acting work.

Somewhat surprisingly Rutherford and Banks chose not to knock GENESIS on the head but set about recruiting a brand new singer, re-emerging in 1997 with the highly rated 'Calling All Stations' set featuring new frontman Ray Wilson previously with STRATEGY and more prominently pseudo Grunge Rockers STILTSKIN. Drums for the recording would be sessioned by Nick D'Virgilio of latter day Prog Rock giants SPOCK'S BEARD.

Without Collins the new look GENESIS witnessed a major slide in sales. By 1998 the wounds between Collins and his previous colleagues were beginning to heal and the trio, plus other esteemed former personnel PETER GABRIEL and STEVE HACKETT convened to promote the release of the Archives Volume 1: 1967-'75' box set.

2000 found Collins back in the fold for a one off gig and to promote the sophomore retrospective release 'Archives Volume 2: 1976-'92'. The drummer put in probably his heaviest appearance to date at Queen Elizabeth II's 50th anniversary Buckingham Palace concert when formed part of a one off band to run through the BLACK SABBATH classic 'Paranoid'. The group, fronted naturally by OZZY OSBOURNE, also included BLACK SABBATH guitarist TONY IOMMI and renowned session bassist Pino Palladino.

Meantime former GENESIS vocalist RAY WILSON re-emerged with the 'Live And Acoustic' album. Oddly the record not only contained the expected GENESIS numbers but versions of PHIL COLLINS 'In The Air Tonight' and PETER GABRIEL's 'Biko' as well.