Monday, June 06, 2011

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Genesis

Artist:Genesis
Song:Invisible Touch
Album:Turn It On Again: The Hits





Genesis started out as a successful progressive rock band but changed significantly when lead singer Peter Gabriel left in 1975. They became a more mainstream rock band and had a significant run of hits in the 80s. And that doesn't include Phil Collins' hits and Mike & The Mechanics' hits. Invisible Touch was Genesis only number one hit in 1986. Genesis started out in 1967 as a merger of rival bands Garden Wall and Anon. Peter Gabriel was lead singer. Others were Anthony Phillips on guitar, Tony Banks on keyboards and Mike Rutherford on bass. They were discovered by producer Jonathan King and he named them Genesis and signed then to Decca. King tried to pattern them after The Bee Gees but their first album didn't sell and Genesis signed with Chrysalis for their second album Trespass. By this time, John Mayhew was on drums. The album was very similar to progressive groups of the time like King Crimson. In 1970, Mayhew was replaced by Phil Collins and Phillips left due to stage fright and was replaced by Steve Hackett. This was the lineup until Gabriel left in 1975 for a solo career. Genesis had a lot of critical and commercial success but they were now at a crossroads. They auditioned hundreds of singers but eventually settled on Collins and hired Bill Bruford to play drums on tour. He was replaced by Chester Thompson. Genesis became more of a mainstream band and Collins did a very good Peter Gabriel impression on older songs. Hackett left in 1977. Genesis became a trio in the studio and hired session musicians for touring. Genesis was even more successful in the 80s partially because of Collins' solo success. It's like he was everywhere. Their 1986 album Invisible Touch was their most successful. It reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 200 and was certified 6XPlatinum. They had five top five singles from the album but Invisible Touch was the only one to top the Billboard Hot 100. Genesis took a break after that but Collins and Mike Rutherford's band Mike & The Mechanics had their own successes. Genesis released one last studio album in 1991 before Collins left. You can get all their 80s hits on this budget comp. Rutherford and Banks hired a new singer and attempted to continue Genesis. But of course they weren't as successful. There have been occasional reunions. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame last year. At the time, Collins said Genesis was through and then he retired from music due to health problems. But in the 80s, Genesis was the quintessential British rock group. Here's the video for Invisible Touch by Genesis.

genesis - invisible touch by kareem93

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