Mike Rutherford autobiography published this month!

[Rufus]

Called 'The Living Years'. He does a Q&A feature in this months Classic Rock magazine
Here's what he says about a Genesis reunion-"I really don't know. My philosophy is to never say never. But if we were to do it as a five piece, with Peter Gabriel singing, that would be a bit tricky. TLLDOB for example, is told from from the perspective of a young man, which of course Peter was when we recorded the album". So he dosnt give much away there then!!!
Surprisingly he says that Supper's Ready & Turn it on Again best represent the bands career, the latter because by the time of Duke the band had learnt to write snappy & catchy songs.It's just that for the longest time they were no good at it!

[JKL2000]

Kind of ridiculous to say that Peter is too old because the narrator of Lamb is supposed to be young. Is Bob Dylan too old to sing Rainy Day Women?

[WeatherWiseCDC]

I wonder if he'll mention this:

[iguana]

^ never heard let alone saw this before! quite like this – it has gene80s stamped all over it.

[Patelena396]

I was just looking at the details about this book on Amazon and it looks pretty interesting. Mike is the first member of the band to write his own biography. I will buy this as it appears that it could be worth a read.

[Innerviews]

Astonishing. I thought I had pretty much seen all Genesis-related promo videos there were. It is jarring to see Rutherford lip-sync and be the frontman like that.

And to be so far ahead of the product placement curve with Cadbury's. Equally astonishing.

[calyx]

First I've ever heard Rutherford's voice. Not very appealing - especially with such dated, nondescript music around it. I was surprised how he sounds a little Gabriel-ish (i.e. hoarse) in the latter part of the song.

[Trane]

Just wondering,.... Would this be the first hands-on (I mean by a band member) classic Genesis years book written ??

I wonder if he'll mention this:

^ never heard let alone saw this before! quite like this – it has gene80s stamped all over it.

Never heard or saw this either

This could've been sung by The Gabe... and featured on one of his album (corca Melt until So)... Don't really like it enough, though

[calyx]

Just wondering,.... Would this be the first hands-on (I mean by a band member) classic Genesis years book written ??

Well, a few years ago there was this big book which was kind of a collective autobiography, although I can't remember if this was just a collection of existing quotes or original interviews. Too lazy to check now.

[Trane]

Well, a few years ago there was this big book which was kind of a collective autobiography, although I can't remember if this was just a collection of existing quotes or original interviews. Too lazy to check now.

... I understand....

But this could be interesting, though I'd rather have heard/read Banks' insider's view, rather than Mike's (or Steve's FTM)

[LeFrog]

Well, a few years ago there was this big book which was kind of a collective autobiography, although I can't remember if this was just a collection of existing quotes or original interviews. Too lazy to check now. .

That was "Chapter & Verse": compiled from original interviews made circa 2007 with every band member past and present. Very interesting read: it was a chronological history of the band as remembered by them.

... I understand....

But this could be interesting, though I'd rather have heard/read Banks' insider's view, rather than Mike's (or Steve's FTM)

Banks is known for having a very strong personality: I sure would like to read his view of things but I suspect it would sometimes be heavily biased. I think Rutherford's view of things might be more "neutral".

[Trane]

Banks is known for having a very strong personality: I sure would like to read his view of things but I suspect it would sometimes be heavily biased. I think Rutherford's view of things might be more "neutral".

I totally agree... Banks' story would be like Gilmour or Waters' inside views of Floyd, whereas Rutherford's would be more luke Mason's incredibly diplomatic rendition of Floyd's secret life.

But that's precisely why I'd prefer Bank's over Rutherford's views.
Digging The Dirt is my fave PG solo track

[JJ88]

First I've ever heard Rutherford's voice. Not very appealing - especially with such dated, nondescript music around it. I was surprised how he sounds a little Gabriel-ish (i.e. hoarse) in the latter part of the song.

This is from the decidedly bizarre (not necessarily in a good way!) 'Acting Very Strange' album. There's another song from a bit later 'Making A Big Mistake' which I thought actually *was* PG singing on it.

[Progatron]

This is from the decidedly bizarre (not necessarily in a good way!) 'Acting Very Strange' album. There's another song from a bit later 'Making A Big Mistake' which I thought actually *was* PG singing on it.

Acting Very Strange was the first thing I ever bought from Ebay, way back in about 1996. It was a used CD for about six or eight bucks. It's not great but I would actually rather listen to it than Smallcreep's Day, which I've just never really cared for - I know that will be a minority opinion. I do really like the track "Compression" though, which was a b-side from that album... a better track than can be found on either of Mike's solo albums actually. As for "Making A Big Mistake", that's the one that was on Against All Odds soundtrack, right? A soundtrack that featured Mike, Pete, and of course Phil all contributing individual tracks!

[JJ88]

^It was. 'Walk Through The Fire' was the PG song exclusive to that soundtrack.

'Acting Very Strange' has been OOP for years. Nobody's in any hurry to reissue it!

[Progatron]

'Acting Very Strange' has been OOP for years. Nobody's in any hurry to reissue it!

LOL that's for sure! I actually do like the last track "Hideaway" though. I think Mike quickly realized that he needed a solid band around him, with other songwriters and not just session guys (despite names on Acting Very Strange like Stewart Copeland and Peter Robinson), which led to the formation of The Mechanics. He is also not a lead singer at ALL.

One also wonders what on earth Mike was thinking with that cover.

[SteveSly]

Auto buy for me.

Steve Sly

[Paulrus]

Coming from one of the original Carthusians, I'm curious to learn how much Mike's (and by extension Tony and Peter's) upper middle class upbringing really factored into their musical careers over the years. It's the image that the punks latched onto in reviling the big 70s groups and I'm curious to see if there's any truth to it.

[JJ88]

Worth noting that the 'punks' and indeed other big rock acts had their share of members from middle/upper class backgrounds, but Genesis never faked a different background to curry favour with certain elements of the press (some of whom had more in common with Genesis' background themselves).

There's always been an honesty and integrity about them IMHO. They also were one of the few big 70s rock acts to explicitly acknowledge the support they received from grass roots fanbases, returning to smaller venues on several tours.

[WeatherWiseCDC]

LOL that's for sure! I actually do like the last track "Hideaway" though. I think Mike quickly realized that he needed a solid band around him, with other songwriters and not just session guys (despite names on Acting Very Strange like Stewart Copeland and Peter Robinson), which led to the formation of The Mechanics. He is also not a lead singer at ALL.

One also wonders what on earth Mike was thinking with that cover.

"Are you running away! 'cause I'm in love with you. There's nothing you can do! I'm in love with you."

[the winter tree]

I think his voice sounds pretty good. Better singer than Steve Howe ;-) His backing vocals on SECONDS OUT have a nice blend with Collins.