Steve Hackett's Favourite Genesis Member Solo Album - Interview 

Steve is such a wise and well spoken man. An absolute treasure.

Voyage of The Acolyte by far, but The Geese And The Ghost and Smalcreep's Day are faboulous!

I like both Smallcreep's Day and Tony Banks' ACurious Feeling.

So many great albums from the members and former members of Genesis. Smallcreeps Day is one of the best.

Fabulous video. I could just listen to Steve talk for hours - he is so well spoken and informative! Smallcreep's Day is a fantastic album. It is too bad Mike has divorced himself from much of his earlier output and won't discuss it. He and Tony especially seem very self-deprecating and hard on themselves, sadly failing to recognize that their early music's "imperfect" or "amateur" qualities are actually part of their brilliance.

Love Steve Hackett. I wish he'd talked about what he considered the best solo albums from Banks, Collins, Gabriel, and Philips. I'd also be curious to know his favorite post-Hackett Genesis album. I remember an interviewer asking him this question in the early 80s and he said he liked the track "Abacab." Also, when someone asked him what he thought of "Calling All Stations," he said he thought it could have gone a bit further with the darker, heavier sound. He seems to like Ray Wilson's voice. Would be really cool if Ray sang lead for him on songs for an upcoming album.

Smallcreep's Day is superb, as is Acting Very Strange. AVS always seems to get panned, no idea why. I love it. I put Smallcreep's Day on the same high pedestal as A Curious Feeling and Spectral Mornings.

My top 4 solo albums are, Peter Gabriel "Up", Peter Gabriel #1 (first solo LP) Steve Hackett "Voyage of the Acolyte" and Peter Gabriel "Us" I haven't watched this video...yet, Now I'll get to find out what Steve Hackett likes best. Ok? Michael Rutherford? I bought it when it came out and listened to it once or twice, I still have it if anyone wants a like new copy...haha. Honestly, the only 2 Genesis members that I listen to are Steve Hackett and Peter Gabriel, the others never. Steve and Peter have pretty much stuck to their progressive roots, Collin's went soul/pop along with the remaining members.

Tough to argue with So from Peter Gabriel. Not a bad song on it AND the album holds up even today.

Yes! Hands down one of my favorite albums! Since the 80s 👍

I wish Smallcreep was on Apple Music, for some reason, not. The song At The End of The Day just makes me weep. It’s so beautiful. I do also love Bank’s A Curious Feeling.

My favorite album also. Love at first listen. Still have original LP. With everyone on the album still alive and producing, would be wonderful to see a tour. This was as good as any Genesis album. And that’s saying a lot!!

I'm glad Steve picked it as his favorite Genesis solo album. One of mine, as well. "Please Don't Touch" is my favorite Hackett album. So fun and amazing. Definitely, inspired my own guitar playing and songwriting. Even to explore guitar synthesizers.

Absolutely my favourite solo album as well. Well, after Voyage of the Acolyte. I attended Steve’s show the 7th of March and Shadow of the Hierophant blew me away !! Awesome concert.

It appears that MR likes more simple rock and pop . It is so interesting to know he was a leading member of Genesis at its peak prog days. I'm reminded of the way Robert Wyatt talked about "simple" pop in his documentary, something like "it is so hard to write a GOOD pop song!".

Steve Hackett is awesome! Love his solo music and all his guitar work in Genesis! A true virtuoso.

Well, Steve and John, the issue with fans about 'Smallcreep's' is that we want it remastered and made crisper and clearer, minus the late-'70s muffle. Seems Mike should consider what his fans wish. Why not clean up and reissue one of the best prog albums ever made, that being the opinion of so many musical minds including Steve's sterling one.

Steve is always so positive about the guys. It’s unfortunate the other 3 couldn’t put their egos aside and have a guest solo spot for him on the Last Domino tour. He could have come out in the second half and done Firth of Fifth, Eleventh Earl of Mar, Los Endos and Fly on a Windshield. Oh well. Those guys would rather rehash their “Pop” years. Great interview and conversation John. Thanks as always.

Pete's by far are the strongest. No question. Especially the melt album.

My favorites are Voyage of the Acolyte, The Geese and the Ghost, and.... Peter Gabriel 3. A Curious Feeling has some amazing music but I found the vocals didn't quite live up.

Excluding Steves solo albums 'Smallcreeps Day' is the best solo album from any Genesis member. I'm glad to see Steve agrees.

Steve has great taste, can't say I'm surprised! From reading several interviews with Mike and from his book too, he actually seems to be very proud of Smallcreep's Day, but sadly views it as a thing of the past. I'd love to see you talk with him sometime, but I suppose he's a bit busy right now ;)

Awwhh! What a nice person Steve!, clear, transparent alnd goodwill, very good interview.

Great interview of one of the great musicians still with us in 2022. Thanks for this post!

Yeah, for me, Mike's and Tony's first solo albums are wonderful !

So true! Fantastic album! ++++ Al artist on this one are magnificent!

When I saw the title of the interview, my first thought was “I bet he’s going to pick Smallcreep’s Day”, followed by “or wait, maybe Anthony Phillips’ Wise After The Event or The Geese and The Ghost. And what about So or Us?” I can’t pick a favourite out of all the members; there are so many that still resonate, some that no longer do, and its difficult to even pick a favourite album from one member. So I’m going to pick a favourite song from all members, solo or not: Steve - Leaving Anthony - God If I Saw Her Now Mike - Your Own Special Way Tony - Mad Man Moon Phil - The Roof Is Leaking Peter - Mercy Street Though I was a huge Genesis fan and followed all their solo work from my late teens into early 30’s, I’ve not followed them much since then. Have rekindled a bit with Steve and Anthony, largely through RU-vid interviews and analyses such as this. Peter has had staying power with me more than the others, through his literary content, world music endeavours, and work with the inimitable Kate Bush. Steve’s surreal lyricism(words AND music) is a darkly wavering flame for me, and his work with guitar synths inspired me to seek them out some 30+ years ago. Mercy Street and Mad Man Moon remain among my all time favourite songs. Tony’s compositional and performance skills are a deep magic, though I’ve not been able to connect much with his solo work(appreciate yes, connect with, not so much), nor with Genesis beyond ABACAB or maybe even Duke. Tastes change and expand. My children’s musical and artistic paths inspire me a lot these days. Also artists with a depth of story, poetry and surreality, such as Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Hope Sandoval, Massive Attack, Nils Frahm, trip-hop in general, various forms of electronica, new folk, loud stuff, quiet stuff. Support your local scene! It’s mind bottling how much phenomenal music is right outside your door when you avoid the mainstream claptrap. Looking back at past loves is always an education though, when you see who still moves you and who now seems boring and immature. If anyone even reads this, name the Genesis song I quoted a phrase from in the rabble above haha

PG's Melt.

I live Steve's first 4 albums and his orchestra album of a midsummers nights dream. Of the others I like peter Gabriels 1st and 3rd albums.

Really interesting. Smallcreep is such a great album - a perfect album, actually. John, hopefully you will get to discuss it with Mike Rutherford himself.

My sister was visiting me years ago and while I went to work she listened to some of my records to keep busy. I'm certain that I will never forget when she told me that she liked a lot of the music that I had, but she didn't care for the album called "Mean Little Creep" 😂😂😂😂

Was Buffy St Marie in Genesis? I'm confused. I like Anthony Phillip's The Geese and the Ghost quite a bit.

I love how you get Steve going and just let him freewheel, John. I enjoy all of Steve's vignette's immensely.

Damn I thought he was gonna answer "Phil Collins, Testify"

I just got this album a couple days ago. I was impressed, I agree with Mr. Hackett

Great Question! My favourite too!

Acolyte is a perfect album. PDT is so different, especially with Havens et. al. which was a very smart move. SM is also hard to beat. PG1 and So are probably PG's best solo efforts. There is some excellent stuff on SCD although some of the vocals don't cut it for me.

I told mike it was my fave when I met him in Bahrain in Boots. He wasn’t happy to hear it and talked about remastered genesis stuff

Agreed! Awesome solo album. I have a signed LP copy signed by Mike!

Love Steves music thanks for sharing

If we are not including Tony's orchestral works (Seven Six, Five) that are outstanding, Small Creeps and Voyage of the Acolyte are at the top of the Genesis solo LPs followed closely by Spectral Mornings.

Sorry, I’m a bit late commenting, but I wanted to share my top 5 Genesis solo albums: Steve’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, Peter’s Music from The Last Temptation of Christ, Mike’s Smallcreep’s Day, Tony’s A Curious Feeling and Ant Phillips’ Field Day.

The best? 1) Voyage of the Acolyte 2) So 3) Spectral Mornings 4) The Geese and the Ghost

I would agree with Small Creeps Day, lovely flowing album which I do have a copy of, but it is the only Rutherford album I have. The only members music I do have is lot of Steve’s and Peter’s and a few of Phil’s. Small Creeps Day seems to be out of print now which is a shame. Seen Steve many times live and spoken to him a couple of time, a really nice person. Will be seeing him again in the great metropolis that is Bexhill later this year.

Curiously Sides by Anthony Philips comes to my mind with the guitar sound of Nightmare in my mind now, which leads me to Every Day by Steve Hackett and In Your Eyes from peter Gabriel - I will take the albums with these songs out to put them on again.

If it was genesis..solo..45rpm...12 inch..we collected everything we could find...loved them all!!

I know the other guys appeared and wrote songs on each others' solo albums, but not sure Tony Banks did any of them.

nobody asked me , but mine would be No Jacket Required...it's just epic .. I've never heard of smallcreep

Remember Phil was playing drums when Hackett was in the band. Phil did not write at that time. It was Banks, Rutherford, and Gabriel. Then when Gabriel left , Phil became lead singer.

Small Creeps Day is being reissued March 25th 2022

1:10. Yes, absolutely. No doubt in my mind. Good taste, Steve :). Wonderful album, not perfect but there are some top notch tracks, particularly on the first side. I think Noel McCalla was great on vocals even if he was third choice, apparently.....

I think A Curious Feeling is the best, by a mile

Small creeps never hit me I should give it another shot. My fave is always Anthony Phillips Geese and the Ghost. Second would be Steve's Voyage of the Acolyte.

Great choice!!

Smallcreep’s Day has been misteriously ditched by Mike Rutherford and it’s not available on streaming services. Also, please note that the CD version is not a good rendition of the original analog master. If you listen to a vinyl copy in good shape and compare in real time with a CD you will clearly hear the difference.

I concur.

There's pretty many great album from bands that were miserable or about to break up... A few that come quickly to mind... Steely Dan's *Gaucho* , their last for years and years, and where recently I saw a claim some lyrics were by Fagen talking about Becker, King Crimson's *Red* where Fripp broke up the band for 7 years afterward, and the end of their next period, *Three of a Perfect Pair* where singer-lyricist Adrian Belew later said he was miserable and many of the lyrics seem to reflect wanting out (though he was back when the band reformed). The ultimate in this category has to be the Beatles' *Abbey Road* , which was the last album they recorded, though not the last released.

When I askd Steve, he said he found Peter Gabriel's solo career the most interesting of them all (and who doesn't?, but for a single album, I'm glad he picked this gem. In my humble opinion, Smallcreep's Day is far superious to anything Mike's done on his own since, including Acting Very Strange, which was ruined by Mike's futile attempt to do the lead vocals himself, and Mike and the Mechanics, who started out great, but are quite boring these days.

Ah come on! Peter Gabriel solo albums are way above anything alse

My favorite is Tony Banks The Fugative

Mine is Espectral Mornings !

Ant's first album is my pick but Smallcreep is good, also, as well as A Curious Feeling. That being said, Voyage of the Acolyte is best of all.

Never heard it! I am off to listen right now…..

It would've been interesting for him to go through the best album for each member. Peter Gabriel's is SO.

Face Value. Melt

Thats literally the one i thought would come last. Smallcreeps Day. If we're gonna go 'Sorta contrarian (I dont doubt the sincerity of the posters here) proto-garage feel' here.....then dont sleep on Phil's first album. Edit: I literally did not know until today that wasn't Mike singing on Smallcreeps Day. For decades I thought "He should sue the vocal mixer on Acting Very Strange! He sounds fine on Smallcreeps Day!"

I'm thinking maybe one of Ant's, or Peter's.

"So" and "Face Value" are the obvious answer.

Regarding Smallcreep’s Day. Steve, such sincere sentiments about your former band mate and his very good solo album. I am sure I am not alone with this observation, but anyone with half an ear can tell how much your playing and sound rubbed off on him. As for Mike Rutherford, I rarely hear him speak well of the old Genesis. Him not being happy with his own solo is not a surprise. I too agree it is very good 👍

love smallcreeps day

But that is Steve's album

I liked all the Genesis members stuff!! Glad they keep busy and don't sit on their butts!! Phil is bit 2 Hollywood for me!!!

Hackett was at his best in the 70s, his 80s and 90s material lacks direction and Its forgetable, he got second wind with Darktown and TWTS, but after that meh, till Wolflight, amazing piece of work.

You know what? I respect Genesis but the only Album I ever bought was Duke for the song, Misunderstanding. I like their solo albums MUCH more from Phil Collins and Mike and the Mechanics. I do not enjoy Genesis albums very much. Its just the way I feel.