Book Review: Genesis

Genesis: Chapter and Verse
By Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett and Mike Rutherford
Published by Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Griffin
Review by David Chiu

What makes Genesis so interesting through this latest authorized biography is how for the most part the lives of the band members were relatively subdued compared to their more raucous contemporaries. In this book you won’t find any in-depth tales of rampant drug use, sexual escapades, back stabbings or tragedies that have befallen many of rock’s best bands. Instead, what you have is a story about the music and the people behind it. The book traces the history a band that started out as a collective amongst school friends, to this year’s recent reunion tour. In between, Genesis had sold millions of records and played many shows in large venues during its evolution from a progressive art rock outfit to a huge commercially successful pop group. The classic lineup of Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett and Mike Rutherford, along with their close friends and associates, shares their memories with respect and admiration for the music and for each other. In some cases the commentaries members are very candid as fans will get the back stories behind some of Genesis’ most popular albums; the devastating departures of Gabriel, Hackett and Collins; and an aborted attempt at a reunion tour amongst the classic five as recent as a couple of years ago. Fully-illustrated with beautiful photos (i.e. Gabriel in the Supperman stage costume and breathtaking images from the band’s tours in the ‘80s and early ‘90s) and anecdotal captions, Chapter and Verse is the Genesis’ ultimate souvenir tour program but ten-times better. The only minor quibble is that there is not an album and singles discography to make the book more complete. All you ever needed to know about Genesis is finally here with this collection.

Watch the Genesis videos of “I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)”, featuring Peter Gabriel; and “Invisible Touch,” featuring Phil Collins.

“I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)”

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