A HISTORY OF GENESIS

This video is similar in content to YES` "Yesyears" video, but shorter than "Yesyears". There are interviews with Collins, Banks, Rutherford, Gabriel, Phillips and Hackett (their names are the only member names listed in the back cover of this video). They talk about the history of the band and the changes that the musical style of the band had until 1990 (when this video was done). The video starts with scenes of Genesis playing in the Knebworht 90 Festival. This video also includes excerpts of live performances in concerts and TV appearances, from their early years with Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett until the Knebworth 90 Festival. But in this video there are not visual references or mentions of other members of Genesis like drummers Chris Stewart, John Silver and John Mayhew. Chester Thompson and Daryl Stuermer are briefly mentioned and they appear in some excerpts of live performances, but Bill Bruford wasn`t mentioned and he also doesn`t appear in images. I don`t know why the producers of this video didn`t include all these musicians. But this is a good video, but IMO, the "Yesyears" video is a bit better in comparison to this Genesis`video.

I bought this video in Ottawa during a holiday in Canada. I had discovered that the prices were much lower than in Europe so I went into every record-shop (I had the deal with my wife that at the same moment she was allowed to enter every jewelry-shop..!). The first part of this video (till "And then there were three"-era) contain lots of interesting moments: the way the members met each other in the poshy Charterhouse school, the funny and horrible moments there (especially Peter Gabriel's was not very pleased with that period), the different characters (the upper-class Mike Rutherford and the working class Phil Collins), the increasing problems between Peter Gabriel and the rest of the band from "The lamb..", it's all very interesting to see these facts on this video. But the most captivating element is the live-footage from the Gabriel-era: the old man in "The musical box" is one of the most magical moments in progrock history but also Gabriel's flower mask in "Supper's ready" and live-shos from "The lamb .." are amazing. Another highlight is a short part from Hackett live during "Firth of fifth", so moving! The second part of this video (the Collins-era) is not my cup of tea, I've seen it once ant that was enough! Nonetheless, the second part is also interesting for the average Genesis fan. When this video was released it was the first time that the Genesis fans could see live-footage from the Gabriel- era, a strong point in that time. But now you can by for 5 dollars bootleg dvd's featuring different concerts from the Gabriel-era. So this video has lost importance but still it's a fine history from Genesis because it contains a lot of interesting facts and some striking emotional moments.

Good summary and history of the classic band GENESIS! I haven't seen any other video collections of the band yet, but this is a good one. There is a mixture of live concert segments, backstage footage, excerpts of music videos, band interviews, and an anonymous commentary detailing the band's history.

All significant/relevant band members are included in the interviews (Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Steve Hackett, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, and Anthony Phillips, as well as early producer/leader Johnathan King. Despite what another reviewer has written, there is no need to include any of the other, extraneous members. So we have a complete representation.

A must for all Genesis freaks!

I have three Genesis documentaries: this one, a VH-1 "Behind The Music" history, and the DVD release "Genesis Songbook". In terms of Gabriel-era footage, this one is the clear winner. The other two share a lot of the same recent interview footage, but the interviews presented here were done in the late 80's. The "Genesis Songbook" (not yet added to the discography) is certainly worth having, since bonus features include background on the making of "Supper's Ready" and "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway". I watched each documentary in its entirety the first time, but now I hit "stop" after Steve Hackett leaves the band.... I'll keep watching this tape until an official Gabriel-era DVD arrives.

This was a debateable release in terms of content. Convenient references to certain members but glaring omissions elsewhere. I feel if the history was to cover the lineup of the band from day one, mention should have been made of people like Chris Stewart, John Mayhew etc. Some great footage and also interviews with Jonathan King referencing the first Genesis music as a kind of BeeGee pastiche!! King goes on to say that he wished Gabriel did more commercial stuff while Collins do more progressive material ( he obviously was unaware of Brand X) Useful video but limited in terms of content.