Six of the best
Encyclopedia
Six of the Best was the name chosen for the reunion concert of the rock band Genesis
with former founding member Peter Gabriel
which took place on a wet 2 October 1982 at National Bowl
, in Milton Keynes
, Buckinghamshire
, England
. The show was introduced by Jonathan King
.
Support bands for the concert were John Martyn, The Blues Band
and Talk Talk
.
left Genesis following The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
tour in 1975 but after much debate, (Phil Collins had suggested they continue as an instrumental only band) the rest of the band decided to carry on with drummer Phil Collins
assuming the additional duties of lead vocalist and frontman.
The classic quintet featuring Peter Gabriel
, Mike Rutherford
(whose birthday it was on the day of the concert), Tony Banks
, Steve Hackett
and Phil Collins
became a quartet during the period 1975-1977, helped by an invited drummer on tours (Bill Bruford
Ex-Yes
and Ex-King Crimson
and then Chester Thompson
, who became the touring drummer for the band until 1992 and in 2007).
By 1978, Hackett's departure had left Genesis a trio. Peter Gabriel was continuing his solo career, doing some experimental music, but in 1982 he and his company—which had funded WOMAD—faced economic disaster due to its commercial failure put down to lack of suitable transport to the venue and publicity. At the suggestion of his and Genesis manager Tony Smith
, he and his ex-band mates agreed to play together for a single show under the name 'Six of the Best' along with Daryl Stuermer
(second guitarist and bassist on live shows 1978-1992, 2007), Chester Thompson, and fellow ex-member Steve Hackett (who appeared onstage during the encores after arriving late from South America
). The revenues generated by the concert allowed the WOMAD creditors to be paid, the festival to be established and Gabriel to resume his solo career.
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...
with former founding member 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...
which took place on a wet 2 October 1982 at National Bowl
National Bowl
The National Bowl is an entertainment venue in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. The site was a former clay-pit , filled in and raised to form an amphitheatre using sub-soil excavated by the many new developments in the area and it has a current maximum capacity of 65,000...
, in Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes , sometimes abbreviated MK, is a large town in Buckinghamshire, in the south east of England, about north-west of London. It is the administrative centre of the Borough of Milton Keynes...
, Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The show was introduced by Jonathan King
Jonathan King
Jonathan King is an English singer, songwriter, impresario and record producer. He is also the author of three novels, Bible Two and The Booker Prize Winner , and Beware the Monkey Man , and an autobiography, 65 My Life So Far .King first came to prominence as an...
.
Support bands for the concert were John Martyn, The Blues Band
The Blues Band
The Blues Band is a British blues band formed in 1979 by Paul Jones, former lead vocalist and harmonica player with Manfred Mann, and vocalist/slide guitarist Dave Kelly, who had previously played with the John Dummer Blues Band, Howlin' Wolf and John Lee Hooker...
and Talk Talk
Talk Talk
Talk Talk were an English musical group, active from 1981 to 1991. The group had a string of international hit singles including "Today", "Talk Talk", "It's My Life", "Such a Shame", "Dum Dum Girl", "Life's What You Make It" and "Living in Another World"....
.
Background
Vocalist Peter GabrielPeter 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...
left Genesis following The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
The Lamb Lies down on Broadway
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is a double concept album recorded and released in 1974 by the British rock band Genesis. It was their sixth studio album and the last album by the group to feature the involvement of lead singer Peter Gabriel.-Premise:...
tour in 1975 but after much debate, (Phil Collins had suggested they continue as an instrumental only band) the rest of the band decided to carry on with drummer Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
assuming the additional duties of lead vocalist and frontman.
The classic quintet featuring 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...
, 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...
(whose birthday it was on the day of the concert), Tony Banks
Tony 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...
, Steve Hackett
Steve Hackett
Stephen Richard Hackett is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist. He gained prominence as a member of the British progressive rock group Genesis, which he joined in 1970 and left in 1977 to pursue a solo career...
and Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
became a quartet during the period 1975-1977, helped by an invited drummer on tours (Bill Bruford
Bill Bruford
William Scott "Bill" Bruford is an English drummer, percussionist, composer, producer, and record label owner. He was the original drummer for the progressive rock group Yes, from 1968-1972. Bruford has performed for numerous popular acts since the early 1970s, including a stint as touring...
Ex-Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
and Ex-King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
and then Chester Thompson
Chester Thompson
Chester Cortez Thompson is an American drummer and session musician.-Biography:Thompson made his name as a session drummer, going on to play in Frank Zappa's touring band and with Weather Report...
, who became the touring drummer for the band until 1992 and in 2007).
By 1978, Hackett's departure had left Genesis a trio. Peter Gabriel was continuing his solo career, doing some experimental music, but in 1982 he and his company—which had funded WOMAD—faced economic disaster due to its commercial failure put down to lack of suitable transport to the venue and publicity. At the suggestion of his and Genesis manager Tony Smith
Tony Smith (manager)
Tony Smith is best known as talent manager for Genesis since 1973 and for the solo careers of Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Anthony Banks. He is also, as of 2007, co-manager of Pink Floyd along with Paul Loasby....
, he and his ex-band mates agreed to play together for a single show under the name 'Six of the Best' along with Daryl Stuermer
Daryl Stuermer
Daryl Mark Stuermer is an American musician who plays guitar and bass for Genesis during live shows, and lead guitar for Phil Collins during most of his solo tours and albums.-Biography:...
(second guitarist and bassist on live shows 1978-1992, 2007), Chester Thompson, and fellow ex-member Steve Hackett (who appeared onstage during the encores after arriving late from South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
). The revenues generated by the concert allowed the WOMAD creditors to be paid, the festival to be established and Gabriel to resume his solo career.
Set list
- "Back in N.Y.C.Back in N.Y.C."Back in N.Y.C." is a song written by Peter Gabriel , Mike Rutherford , and Tony Banks , but credited, as was the rule, to the whole band. It was first recorded and performed by Genesis on their 1974 concept album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway and subsequent live tour.It was the concert opener for...
" - "Dancing With the Moonlit KnightDancing with the Moonlit Knight"Dancing with the Moonlit Knight" is the first track on the Genesis album Selling England by the Pound, released in 1973.The a cappella voice of Peter Gabriel opens the track. Then, the song progressively gets louder and more upbeat, becoming a powerful rock number...
" (Excerpt) - "The Carpet CrawlersThe Carpet Crawlers"The Carpet Crawlers", also sometimes listed as "Carpet Crawl", "The Carpet Crawl" or "Carpet Crawlers", is a song originally from the 1974 Genesis concept album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway...
" - "Firth of FifthFirth of Fifth"Firth of Fifth" is a progressive rock song by progressive rock band Genesis, from their 1973 album Selling England by the Pound. The title is a pun on the estuary of the River Forth in Scotland, commonly known as the Firth of Forth....
" - "The Musical Box"
- "Solsbury HillSolsbury Hill (song)"Solsbury Hill" is a song by British musician Peter Gabriel, about a spiritual experience atop Solsbury Hill in Somerset, England. Gabriel wrote the song after his departure from the progressive rock band Genesis, of which he had been the lead singer since its inception, explaining the reasons...
" - "Turn it on AgainTurn It On Again"Turn It On Again" is a single from the British progressive rock band Genesis, from their 1980 album Duke.The lyrics deal with a man who does nothing more than watch his television, so much that he becomes obsessed with the people he watches on it, believing them to be his friends.The song is also...
" (vocals: Phil Collins; drums: Peter Gabriel) - "The Lamb Lies Down On BroadwayThe Lamb Lies down on BroadwayThe Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is a double concept album recorded and released in 1974 by the British rock band Genesis. It was their sixth studio album and the last album by the group to feature the involvement of lead singer Peter Gabriel.-Premise:...
" - "Fly on a WindshieldFly on a Windshield"Fly on a Windshield" is a song by Genesis. It is the second track from their 1974 concept album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.The song describes the album's protagonist, Rael, making his way through the streets of New York City, when he suddenly sees a mysterious dark cloud descend upon Times...
" - "Broadway Melody Of 1974"
- "In the CageIn the Cage (song)"In the Cage" is a song by progressive rock band Genesis on their 1974 double-album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Along with the title track and "The Carpet Crawlers," it is one of the few songs from the album to remain in Genesis's live repertoire after the Lamb tour.The lyrics describe the...
" - "Supper's ReadySupper's Ready"Supper's Ready" is a song by the band Genesis. A recorded version appeared on their 1972 album Foxtrot, and the band performed the song regularly on stage for several years following this...
" - "I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)"I Know What I Like " was the first charting single by the rock band Genesis. The single was first released in the UK in August 1973, but did not become a hit until April 1974, when it reached number 21 in the UK Singles Chart....
" (guitar: Steve Hackett) - "The KnifeThe Knife (song)The Knife is a song by progressive rock band Genesis from their second album Trespass from 1970. It was performed live often in the band's early days and has appeared sporadically in the band's setlists all the way up through 1982...
" (guitar: Steve Hackett)