A full-on Genesis Reunion still possible? The Ball is in Peter's Court.

Despite everything, the band is still leaving the rumour doors wide open.

This story is actually a few weeks old now, and I've been saving it for a slow news day. A fully reunited Genesis has probably been the main obsession of this weblog since we started covering Prog Rock News. The fact of the matter is that a reunification of the legendary early-70s lineup of the band is the most exciting proposition in this obscure little niche of Rock music that we all enjoy so much.

Just think about it for a second. The last time that Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Steve Hackett, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks properly played on stage together was in 1975. (let us ignore the 1982 Milton Keynes reunion concert, for that was a messy affair under unfortunate circumstances) That's...well...a bloody long time ago. Since then, Phil and Peter have gone on to become global superstars. Hackett has become the Progressive legacy of the band making his own unique brand of music for all us Prog-fans to enjoy, despite the indifference of the rest of the music world. Mike has his Mechanics do what they do well enough, although on a strictly pop-rock bases. Tony, well...Tony made some pleasant film scores and even a symphony not too long ago. Oh, and I guess he has a solo album or two of note as well. The point is that despite the varying level of success these men have experienced outside of Genesis, it's together that they made their real impact on music history.

From the moment Steve and Phil joined the band and they released Nursery Cryme, it was clear that something special was about to happen. By the time Foxtrot came out there was no doubt that this was important music being created. Fronted by a lead singer who could make even the silliest pun-filled lyrics sound like a matter of life-or-death, Genesis was able to play the trickiest complex music with an ease that never took away from the emotional backbone of each track. It was unique and original and was over far too soon.

When Peter decided that he couldn't take the band politics anymore and departed to form his own unique musical future, it was very much over. The next two albums were still Genesis, but without that voice it lost quite a bit of the magic. By the time 1977 came around and Steve felt himself squeezed out of the band, there couldn't have been any doubt that the dream was over. Genesis was done. What we had for the next decade or so was a pop band that didn't have impact of its glory days. Of course, with simpler and more generic song writing came greater commercial success, but as we've discussed before, popularity and quality scarcely go hand in hand in the world of Rock and Roll.

The interview I'm linking to below is with Phil Collins. He's not in very good shape. The guy can't even open a car door anymore, let alone hold a drum stick and swing it with any precession. Despite his pain and suffering, he's stating here that he will not prevent a proper Genesis reunion from happening. He's placing the ball squarely in the court of one Peter Gabriel, who has been the one stopping anything from happening in the first place. Pete has indicated his interest in preforming The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway once again with his former band-mates, he just never has enough time. This means he has more important priorities. At least in his own mind.

What do you think? Should the old men give it another go, or should we just put all this endless speculation to bed?


Phil Collins Hopes to Play With Genesis Again - Spinner UK:

"Not only has it affected his drumming but also his daily life, Collins revealed that he 'can't let go of the spoon or the knife when I eat' or 'open a car door.'"