Steve Hackett

Steve Hackett
Hackett at concert in Scottsdale, Arizona, 2016
Hackett at concert in Scottsdale, Arizona, 2016
Background information
Birth nameStephen Richard Hackett
Born (1950-02-12) 12 February 1950 (age 74)
London, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
  • producer
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals
Years active1968–present
Labels
Formerly of
MembersList
Websitehackettsongs.com

Stephen Richard Hackett (born 12 February 1950) is an English guitarist who gained prominence as the lead guitarist of the progressive rock band Genesis from 1971 to 1977.[1] Hackett contributed to six Genesis studio albums, three live albums, seven singles and one EP[2] before he left to pursue a solo career. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010.

Hackett released his first solo album, Voyage of the Acolyte, while still a member of Genesis in 1975. After a series of further solo albums beginning in 1978, Hackett co-founded the supergroup GTR with Steve Howe in 1986. The group released the self-titled album GTR, which peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 in the United States and spawned the Top 20 single "When the Heart Rules the Mind".[3] When Hackett left GTR in 1987, the group disbanded. Hackett then resumed his solo career. He has released albums and toured worldwide on a regular basis since.

Hackett's body of work encompasses many styles; in addition to his work in progressive rock, he has explored pop, blues, world music and classical music on his solo recordings. According to Guitar World: "Hackett's early explorations of two-handed tapping and sweep picking were far ahead of their time, and influenced Eddie Van Halen and Brian May."[4] Other guitarists influenced by Hackett include Alex Lifeson and Steve Rothery.[5][6]

  1. ^ Parker, Matthew (9 October 2012). "Steve Hackett on revisiting Genesis, tackling Bach and 'quiet lead' guitar". MusicRadar. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  2. ^ Lehmann Web Design. "Steve Hackett's Official Website – Discography". Hackettsongs.com. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  3. ^ Strong 2000, pp. 412–413.
  4. ^ "15 of Prog-Rock's Best Guitarists Through the Years". Guitar World. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  5. ^ Hiatt, Brian (30 June 2015). "22 Things You Learn Hanging Out With Rush". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  6. ^ Wenlock-Smith, John (7 January 2018). "Steve Hackett". The Progressive Aspect. Retrieved 3 June 2019.