Garden Wall (band)
Encyclopedia
Garden Wall were a band from Charterhouse School
in Surrey that went on to merge with the remains of another band from the same school, The Anon
to form the progressive rock band Genesis
. The band was formed around May 1965.
and Peter Gabriel
both entered Charterhouse. Both lads did not like the school for their first year there, and as arriving at the same time, they stuck together throughout the first year. It did not take long for them to discover their common passion of music. This led the two of them to going into the nearby towns and villages and listening to whatever music would be playing in the record stores at the time. The two lads were members of the Duckites house at Charterhouse, and there was a piano in the main hall which they used to go and play on. These occasions in the main hall were the first musical collaborations between Banks and Gabriel.
During his time at Charterhouse, Peter Gabriel had been drumming for an R & B band called "The Spoken Word", and another band called "Millords". As a result of his time in this band, Peter started songwriting with Tony Banks. The first song the two of them ever wrote together eventually evolved into a track called 'She Is Beautiful', and eventually became known as 'The Serpent'.
In May 1965, when Anthony Phillips
had joined the school, a five-piece band called "The Anon" had come into existence. It was around this time that Peter and Tony got together with Ant's friend Chris Stewart
(who was not a member of The Anon), and together they formed a three-piece band featuring Peter on vocals, Tony on piano, and Chris on drums. This band named itself Garden Wall. The band simply carried on like this, playing covers and new songs that Tony and Peter were writing together.
In July 1966, Garden Wall played their only concert, on a stage inside Charterhouse School on a double bill with The Anon. Gabriel showered the audience with rose petals that he had spent the afternoon picking, this was to be the first of his famous onstage antics.
Garden Wall's fellow band splintered at this point, with two of the members leaving in the summer and a third member leaving towards the end of the year. This left Anthony Phillips and Mike Rutherford
, the band's two guitarists (Mike soon picked up bass), who then joined all three of the members of the Garden Wall in a new band that became Genesis.
Charterhouse School
Charterhouse School, originally The Hospital of King James and Thomas Sutton in Charterhouse, or more simply Charterhouse or House, is an English collegiate independent boarding school situated at Godalming in Surrey.Founded by Thomas Sutton in London in 1611 on the site of the old Carthusian...
in Surrey that went on to merge with the remains of another band from the same school, The Anon
The Anon
Anon was one of two bands made up of pupils from Charterhouse School in Surrey, members of which went on to form the progressive rock band Genesis with another band from the same school, called Garden Wall. The band formed in May 1965 and split up in December 1966...
to form the progressive rock band Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
. The band was formed around May 1965.
History
The band formed in May 1965, although it had its roots back in September 1963 when Tony BanksTony Banks (musician)
This article is about the musician. For other people named Tony Banks, see Tony BanksAnthony George "Tony" Banks is a British composer, and multi-instrumentalist, who performs as a keyboardist and a guitarist...
and Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
both entered Charterhouse. Both lads did not like the school for their first year there, and as arriving at the same time, they stuck together throughout the first year. It did not take long for them to discover their common passion of music. This led the two of them to going into the nearby towns and villages and listening to whatever music would be playing in the record stores at the time. The two lads were members of the Duckites house at Charterhouse, and there was a piano in the main hall which they used to go and play on. These occasions in the main hall were the first musical collaborations between Banks and Gabriel.
During his time at Charterhouse, Peter Gabriel had been drumming for an R & B band called "The Spoken Word", and another band called "Millords". As a result of his time in this band, Peter started songwriting with Tony Banks. The first song the two of them ever wrote together eventually evolved into a track called 'She Is Beautiful', and eventually became known as 'The Serpent'.
In May 1965, when Anthony Phillips
Anthony Phillips
Anthony Edwin "Ant" Phillips is an English multi instrumentalist, best known as a founding member of the band Genesis. He played guitar and sang backing vocals until leaving in 1970, following the recording of their second album, Trespass...
had joined the school, a five-piece band called "The Anon" had come into existence. It was around this time that Peter and Tony got together with Ant's friend Chris Stewart
Chris Stewart (author)
Christopher 'Chris' Stewart , was the original drummer and a founding member of Genesis. He is now a farmer and an author.-Background and musical career:...
(who was not a member of The Anon), and together they formed a three-piece band featuring Peter on vocals, Tony on piano, and Chris on drums. This band named itself Garden Wall. The band simply carried on like this, playing covers and new songs that Tony and Peter were writing together.
In July 1966, Garden Wall played their only concert, on a stage inside Charterhouse School on a double bill with The Anon. Gabriel showered the audience with rose petals that he had spent the afternoon picking, this was to be the first of his famous onstage antics.
Garden Wall's fellow band splintered at this point, with two of the members leaving in the summer and a third member leaving towards the end of the year. This left Anthony Phillips and Mike Rutherford
Mike Rutherford
Michael John Cleote Crawford Rutherford is an English musician. He is a founding member of Genesis, initially as a bassist and backup vocalist. In later incarnations of Genesis, he assumed the role of lead guitarist. He is one of only two constant members in Genesis . He also fronts Mike + The...
, the band's two guitarists (Mike soon picked up bass), who then joined all three of the members of the Garden Wall in a new band that became Genesis.