During a pivotal moment in their history, Genesis faced uncertainty as their iconic vocalist Peter Gabriel was contemplating his departure from the band. In this critical juncture, it was Jon Anderson of Yes who provided essential guidance and support to navigate the challenges ahead.

The initial signs of a possible split emerged while the band was diligently working on tracks for the 1974 album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Gabriel temporarily left to collaborate with acclaimed director William Friedkin, who had gained fame for his work on The Exorcist, a film that earned him an Oscar nomination. “[But] Friedkin didn’t want to jeopardize the Genesis he had come to appreciate,” recalls guitarist Steve Hackett during his conversation on the UCR Podcast. “Though Peter returned, it soon became clear he intended to complete just one album and tour with us, ensuring he wouldn’t leave us unprepared. Nevertheless, we faced the inevitable task of seeking a new lead singer thereafter.”

Identifying a suitable replacement for Gabriel was no easy feat, yet Hackett confidently asserts that they had a potential solution within the band. “We had someone capable of stepping into this role, but there were concerns about having a singing drummer,” he elaborates. “After having a charismatic frontman who was known for his flamboyant performances, the idea of a vocalist behind the drums raised doubts regarding the visual appeal. Ironically, it was Jon Anderson [who gave us some good advice] who suggested this. I first met him at Phil’s wedding to his first wife.”

READ MORE: The Day Peter Gabriel Left Genesis

“Jon mentioned, ‘Phil has a fantastic voice; why not make him the lead singer and find another instrumentalist?’ I completely agreed with him,” Hackett recalls. “Phil had contributed vocals to the very first song I wrote for Genesis, ‘For Absent Friends,’ which appeared on our 1971 album Nursery Cryme. He also lent his voice to my [solo] solo album, Voyage of the Acolyte,” he continues. “I told Jon, ‘Yes, that seems like the best path forward, although the other members of the band weren’t entirely convinced.’ Eventually, Phil expressed frustration and insisted, ‘Let me take a shot at this song.’ At that point, we were starting an album without a clear vocalist in mind, and that song turned out to be ‘Squonk,’ featured on A Trick of the Tail. Phil’s performance was so impressive that [Genesis manager] Tony Stratton-Smith peeked in while we were at Trident [Studios] and declared, ‘Well, it looks like you’ve found your singer, goodbye!’ He left without any further discussion. In some ways, it seemed he anticipated Phil’s success. Had Phil been dismissed for any reason, I believe he might have chosen to pursue another band. Fortunately, Tony persuaded him to remain with us.”

Listen to Genesis’ ‘Squonk’

Discovering Steve Hackett’s Current Projects

The legendary former guitarist of Genesis, Steve Hackett, continues to tour extensively, captivating audiences with his performances. He is set to release a new live album, The Lamb Stands Up Live at the Royal Albert Hall, on July 11. This fall, he will bring his acclaimed tour to the United States and has hinted at exciting new material in the pipeline for his next solo album. “I’m currently working on fresh content that sounds better than ever, of course,” he chuckles. “But then again, wouldn’t I always say that?”