On July 3, 1977, Genesis played the final show of their Wind & Wuthering tour, unaware that it would also be Steve Hackett’s last performance with the band.
Wind & Wuthering and Growing Tensions
Released in December 1976, Wind & Wuthering was Genesis’s second album following Peter Gabriel’s departure. With Phil Collins now stepping confidently into the role of lead vocalist, the band had successfully reinvented itself as a four-piece. Collins had already proven he could carry the frontman role with A Trick of the Tail and the subsequent 1976 tour.
By this point, songwriting duties were largely shared between Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford, while Phil focused more on arrangements and performance. Steve Hackett, however, was growing increasingly frustrated. He felt that his musical ideas were often overlooked, and after the 1977 tour, he made the decision to leave Genesis.
The Wind & Wuthering Tour
The 1977 tour was one of Genesis’s biggest yet, taking them across Europe, the US, and for the first time, South America. They were joined by American drummer Chester Thompson, who would become a fixture in the live lineup for decades.
That year, the band reached new heights in live performance and was even voted “Best Live Group” in 1977. Much of that era’s power was captured on the double live album Seconds Out.
The Final Show: July 3, 1977, Munich
Genesis closed out the tour with a concert at Munich’s Olympiahalle. They opened with Squonk, followed by One for the Vine, a Tony Banks epic from the new album. The rare track Inside and Out from the Spot the Pigeon EP was also included, having appeared on select European dates.
Highlights of the show included The Carpet Crawlers, I Know What I Like, and Supper’s Ready, songs that had evolved significantly since Gabriel’s departure. The band had also begun experimenting with medleys, a trend that continued on this tour: Dance on a Volcano merged seamlessly into Los Endos, while The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway was paired with the climactic ending of The Musical Box.
And of course, Firth of Fifth made the setlist, featuring Hackett’s iconic guitar solo. None of the fans, or even the band members, knew it would be the last time they’d see Steve Hackett perform it live with Genesis.
Steve Hackett’s Departure
Steve had already released a solo album by this point, showcasing ideas that had not made it onto Genesis records. During the four-piece era, he had pushed for a guaranteed portion of writing credits on each album, a request the others declined, committed as they were to being a fully democratic group.
In July 1977, while mixing Seconds Out, Hackett found himself exhausted by the constant repetition of songs like I Know What I Like. After months on the road and in front of crowds of 20,000 people, he began to feel creatively stifled. The challenge was gone.
So one day, he picked up the phone and called Mike Rutherford to say he was leaving. Mike, aware of Steve’s growing dissatisfaction, did not try to change his mind.
Shortly afterward, Phil Collins happened to drive past Steve near Trident Studios, where they were mixing the album. Phil invited him into the car, but Steve acted strangely, saying only, “Talk to Mike, he’ll explain,” before walking away. When Phil arrived at the studio, Mike and Tony told him Steve had officially left the band.
The Band Carries On
Genesis continued mixing Seconds Out as a trio, then returned to the studio to begin work on their next album. From this point forward, Genesis would remain a three-piece studio band, while Steve Hackett would embark on a successful solo career.
Title photo: Genesis Steve Hackett. Source: Wikimedia Commons, Jean-Luc / CC-BY-SA-2.5 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0). Originally posted to Flickr as Genesis.
I am a very big fan and follower of all things Genesis.
And I have believed the band through its Genesis to Revelation, has comprised way too much talent. Don’t believe me. Consider, hands on, so to speak, the whole body of the Genesis Cannon.
A very cornucopia of work.
Nothing else like Genesis, nor will there ever be.
The Band’s legacy lies down on Broadway.
Forever.
Well said!
I have followed Genesis and solo members for more than 50 years…It hurts to see the lack of recognition Steve Hackett gets since he left in 1977…Two instances being the 1982 Milton Keynes reunion and the Sum Of All The Parts rocumentary…It’s as if they have tried to wipe him from their history…They wouldn’t have a history if it wasn’t for the part he played in their career.
I’ve seen Steve Hackett several times in the last five or six years. Absolutely a very great guitar player. A real double pluckers. His new stuff is also excellent.
Truly, Steve and Peter had the magic, the mystery, the synopsis of atmosphere needed for a music style so missed today in this mp3 generation. Steve brought the classical aspect to the pieces needed. It is true, Genesis went on to become much more popular on top 40 platforms as they evolved as a top 40 act, but it is the richness of classical platitudes that make the music of Genesis last forever. A wonderfully gifted and sensitive musician, song writer and man was Steve Hackett. His music changed the way I listen and write music. Without Steve, Genesis lost so much. Genesis can evolve the way they want to, but those of us who were transformed by the early Genesis work will always be grateful at Steve’s immense contribution to the band and to music forever.
I have followed Genesis and solo members for more than 50 years…It hurts to see the lack of recognition Steve Hackett gets since he left in 1977…Two instances being the 1982 Milton Keynes reunion and the Sum Of All The Parts rocumentary…It’s as if they have tried to wipe him from their history…They wouldn’t have a history if it wasn’t for the part he played in their career…I have been a fan from the beginning…So come on guys…Give the man the credit he deserves…
learn how to write properly. there ist no such Word as unbeknown, that is pigeon english
The article omits an important contributor to Steve’s decision to leave. It was not only that he felt under-represented on the albums, but also that he was given an ultimatum to choose between staying in Genesis or doing solo projects. (They reportedly gave a similar ultimatum to Peter Gabriel, with similar results. Interesting that they did not give one to Phil, and just two years later all three remaining members would embark on solo projects.)
Ego, ego, egos, it seems that is the downfall of every rock bands original members. The list goes on forever. It seems like it’s easier for a marriage to last longer(usually) than for boys growing into men to work out their problems together. Uh but isn’t that what makes music so interesting to us fans?
Good points.
Simplemente mágico, único e irrepetible como toda genialidad artística su música de las distintas formaciones de la banda, desde el comienzo (distintos nombres, según discográfica) hasta el último integrado con Phill. No cansa escucharla, incluyendo las variaciones que intentan bandas covers contemporáneas como la argentina Genétics (ex Rael). Genesis, la mejor banda de rock sinfónico progresivo de todos los tiempos. GRACIAS!