Genesis discography

Genesis discography
Genesis live on Turn It On Again: The Tour in 2007
Studio albums15
EPs4
Live albums6
Compilation albums4
Singles49
Video albums16
Music videos31
Box sets10

The discography of the British band Genesis contains 15 studio albums, 6 live albums, 3 compilation albums and 10 box sets. They have sold over 100 million records worldwide, including about 21.5 million RIAA-certified albums in the United States[1][2][3]

Genesis were formed by lead singer Peter Gabriel, keyboardist Tony Banks, bassist / guitarist Mike Rutherford, guitarist Anthony Phillips and drummer Chris Stewart at the Charterhouse School, where they drew on contemporary pop, soul, classical and church music influences to write their own songs.[4] They attracted the interest of former pupil Jonathan King, who signed them to a contract in 1967.[5] Following the failure of the first few singles, and an album, From Genesis to Revelation, the group split from King in 1969, signing with Charisma Records the following year.[6] From then to 1974, Genesis released a studio album around once a year. After several line-up changes, the band stabilised in 1971 after drummer Phil Collins and guitarist Steve Hackett joined Gabriel, Banks and Rutherford. The group established commercial success in the UK with Foxtrot (1972), and with the following year's Selling England by the Pound charting at No. 3.[7]

Genesis survived Gabriel's departure in 1975, with Collins taking over as lead singer, releasing the top three album A Trick of the Tail the following year.[8] Hackett left in 1977, reducing the group to a trio of Banks, Rutherford and Collins. They became more commercially successful in the 1980s and began to have hit singles, reaching a peak with Invisible Touch and We Can't Dance, which both topped the UK charts.[9] After Collins left the band in 1996, the group released one more album, Calling All Stations, before disbanding.[10] They have since reformed for several tours and live albums, most recently in 2021-2022.[11]

All of the group's work since signing to Charisma (since acquired by Virgin Records then EMI) was remastered and re-released and is available on various compilation albums such as Turn It On Again: The Hits and Platinum Collection. The sole exception is pre-Charisma album From Genesis to Revelation, whose copyright is owned by King and has been reissued several times independently of the rest of the band's releases.[12]

  1. ^ "Top Selling Artists". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  2. ^ Lee, Marc (2 June 2008). "Final chapter in the book of Genesis?". The Telegraph. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  3. ^ Moskowitz, David V (2015). The 100 Greatest Bands of All Time: A Guide to the Legends Who Rocked the World. ABC-CLIO. p. 267. ISBN 978-1-440-80340-6.
  4. ^ Bowler & Dray 1992, pp. 6–7.
  5. ^ Bowler & Dray 1992, p. 15.
  6. ^ Bowler & Dray 1992, p. 22,31.
  7. ^ Bowler & Dray 1992, pp. 244-245-246.
  8. ^ Bowler & Dray 1992, p. 247.
  9. ^ Bowler & Dray 1992, p. 205,248.
  10. ^ Welch 2011, p. 125.
  11. ^ Ivie, Devon (28 March 2022). "Peter Gabriel Attended Genesis' Final Show, That's All". Vulture.com. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  12. ^ Genesis 2007, p. 348.