Steve Hackett band performing in 2022, (from left to right) Rob Townsend, Roger King, Nad Sylvan, Steve Hackett, Craig Blundell, Jonas Reingold
Steve Hackett is an English guitarist who is best known as former lead guitarist of progressive rock band Genesis, he released his first solo album in 1975 and, after leaving Genesis in 1977, he continued his solo career. His first tour featured himself alongside his brother, John, on flute, bass pedals, and guitar, Dik Cadbury on bass and vocals, Nick Magnus on keyboards, John Shearer on drums, and Pete Hicks on lead vocals.[1] His current touring line-up includes himself on guitar, harmonica and vocals, keyboardist Roger King and multi-instrumentalist Rob Townsend (both since 2001), vocalist Nad Sylvan (since 2013), bassist Jonas Reingold and drummer Craig Blundell (both since 2018).
The tour for that album included his brother John Hackett on flute, bass pedals, and guitar, Dik Cadbury on bass, vocals and violin, Nick Magnus on keyboards, John Shearer on drums, and Pete Hicks on lead vocals.[1] The subsequent European tour was Hackett's first as a solo performer. It began at the Chateau Neuf in Oslo, Norway on 4 October 1978 and ended with six shows across the UK, culminating at the Hammersmith Apollo in London on 30 October.[1] Hackett used his band on his next album, Spectral Mornings, recorded in the first two months of 1979 in the Netherlands.
Future Marillion drummer, Ian Mosley, was a member of Hackett's band in the 80s
Before Hackett recorded his fourth album Defector, he organised a series of gigs in November 1979, including one in London at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, to test out new material.[1] The album also included Hackett then touring band. Hackett changed musical directions with his fifth album, Cured (1981). It was recorded without his band which he had worked with since 1979, barring contributions from Magnus and John Hackett, and features Hackett handling all the lead vocals. Instead of using a drummer, Magnus used an electronic Linn drum machine.[1] The album's tour marked a line-up change with John Hackett and Magnus joined by Chas Cronk (Strawbs) on bass and Ian Mosley (later of Marillion) on drums. The tour for Cured saw the band perform at the 1981 Reading Festival.[1]
After promoting Cured, Hackett received an invitation to form a new trio with Keith Emerson and Jack Bruce, shortly followed by an offer to replace Paul Jones and become lead in a new West End musical production.[1] He declined both offers, and went ahead with his next studio album, Highly Strung, put out in April 1983, which included Magnus and Mosley alongside other musicians.
In 1983, Hackett released his seventh album, Bay of Kings, containing classical guitar compositions, other musicians on the album included only Magnus and John Hackett. This was followed, in August 1984, with Hackett returning to rock music in his next release, Till We Have Faces. the album included Hackett, Magnus and Mosley and various other musicians.
In 1985, Hackett formed the supergroupGTR with veteran Yes and Asia guitarist Steve Howe. The group released a gold-selling album, produced by Yes/Asia keyboardist Geoff Downes. After GTR, Hackett returned to the studio and recorded a new solo album, Momentum, consisting of classical guitar compositions and Hackett brother John on flute. Released in March 1988, his tour across Europe to promote the album was met with large and enthusiastic crowds which included gigs in Estonia, Russia, and the Soviet Union.[2] The tour included Hackett and is brother on guitar and flute respectively.[3]
1990–2000
In 1992, Hackett resumed touring for the first time in six years, which also saw his return to activity in the US in several years. His reason for the prolonged absence was down to his involvement in various legal issues which prevented him from touring there.[2]
Hackett was pleased that his 1992 North American tour was well attended, and used it to test the strength of some new material that he had been working on to an audience, as well as to promote his first live album, Time Lapse.[2] The album included recordings from two shows, one from October 1990, recorded in Nottingham, and one from November 1981, recorded in New York. The 1990 recordings included bassist Ian Ellis, keyboardist Julian Colbeck and drummer Fudge Smith.[4]
Hugo Degenhardt was a member during the mid 90s and later joined The Bootleg Beatles
In May 1993, Hackett released his tenth studio album, Guitar Noir. It includes the track "Walking Away from Rainbows", which lyrically dealt with Hackett's career decision of leaving mainstream music and pursuing what he wishes.[2] The album included Colbeck on keyboards and backing vocals, Dave Ball on bass and Hugo Degenhardt on drums among others. The tour included bassists Dave Ball and Doug Sinclair, drummer Hugo Degenhardt and keyboardist Julian Colbeck.[5]
Hackett followed this with a blues album, Blues with a Feeling (1994), formed of covers and original blues material penned by him and his group, which included Doug Sinclair (bass), Julian Colbeck (keyboards), and Hugo Degenhardt (drums).[2]
In April 1997 he released the neo-classical influenced A Midsummer Night's Dream with accompaniments from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It reached the top 10 UK classical chart. This marked the beginning of keyboardist, arranger, and producer Roger King taking a more prominent role on Hackett's future albums and live shows.[6] In 1999, Hackett released his fourteenth studio album, Darktown. It included Julian Colbeck, Hugo Degenhardt, Jim Diamond, John Hackett, Roger King, Ian McDonald, Doug Sinclair and John Wetton.
In 2000, Hackett and his brother John released Sketches of Satie, a tribute album to the French composer Erik Satie with the compositions rearranged for flute and guitar. Hackett said that he had not worked on a project with John for some time and had missed playing with him, leading to his manager Billy Budis to suggest an album of Satie's music.[7] Later in 2000, an album of Hackett's with material originally put together in 1986 but put on the shelf, was released as Feedback 86. A portion of the material was for a second GTR album, and features appearances by Brian May,[8] as well as Marillion members Pete Trewavas and Ian Mosley, Bonnie Tyler and Chris Thompson. In addition, in July 2000, Hackett undertook a 4 day tour of Italy, playing for the first time live with Roger King on Keyboards, Gary O'Toole on Drums, Phil Mulford on Bass, and Ben Castle on Sax and Flute. [9] This lineup is documented in the "Somewhere In Italy" bonus feature on the Somewhere In South America DVD.[10]
2000–present
Gary O'Toole was Hackett's drummer and co-lead vocalist from 2001 to 2018
In 2003, Hackett released To Watch the Storms, his first studio album in four years and his first completed in his new recording studio, Crown Studios. It also marked his return to progressive rock music, and unlike his several previous records the material was put together within three months.[11] The album features all of his then touring band,[12] including Roger King (keyboards), Rob Townsend (woodwind, percussion, vocals, later keyboards), Terry Gregory (bass, vocals) and Gary O'Toole (drums, vocals),[13] and also guests Ian McDonald (saxophone) and John Hackett (flute). This tour band stayed the same until 2005 when Hackett embarked on an acoustic tour which included Hackett, his brother John and Roger King,[14] this tour continued into 2006 in Japan.[15]
The electric band returned in 2009 with Townsend and O'Toole back and new members Nick Beggs on bass and Chapman Stick and Amanda Lehmann on guitar and vocals,[16] as well as original bassist Dik Cadbury for at least one show.[17] This band remained the same until 2011 when Beggs left and was replaced by Phil Mulford,[18]
In 2011 Hackett released his 24th studio album Beyond the Shrouded Horizon which included his touring band, alongside guests John Hackett, Simon Philips and Chris Squire, among others. In 2012, Hackett and Chris Squire again collaborated to release the album A Life Within a Day under the name of Squackett.[19]
Lee Pomeroy joined in 2012 on bass, variax and 12-string guitar.[20] The line-up changed in 2013 when Lehmann left the band, though she still makes regular guest appearances on tour,[21] and vocalist Nad Sylvan, who had contributed to the Genesis Revisited II album, joined.[22] In 2014 Pomeroy departed and was replaced by a returning Nick Beggs,[23] however he was replaced by Swedish guitarist Roine Stolt in 2015[24][25] who stayed into 2016,[26] he was replaced by Nick Beggs for his third tenure in 2017.[27]Jonas Reingold (a regular collaborator with Stolt) joined the band in 2018 on bass and twelve string.[28] Later in 2018 longtime drummer and vocalist Gary O'Toole departed from the band citing a "horrid year" in his personal life.[29] O'Toole was replaced by Steven Wilson drummer Craig Blundell,[30] this line-up has stayed the same since,[31][32] except when Blundell had commitments with Frost* in 2022 and was covered for by Nick D'Virgilio (Spock's Beard, Big Big Train).[33]
all releases from Genesis Revisited (1996) onwards, except Feedback 86 (2000), Live Archive 70s 80s 90s (2001), Live Archive 70s: Newcastle (2001) and Live Archive 83 (2006)
Rob Townsend
2001–2004
2009–present
saxophone
flute
keyboards
percussion
bass pedals
backing vocals
all releases from Somewhere in South America... (2002) onwards, except Live Archive 83 (2006), except Tribute (2008)
all releases from Somewhere in South America... (2002) to Genesis Revisited Band & Orchestra: Live at the Royal Festival Hall (2019), except Live Archive 05 (2005), Live Archive 83 (2006) and Tribute (2008)
Foxtrot at Fifty + Hackett Highlights: Live in Brighton (2023)
Related Research Articles
Stephen Richard Hackett is an English guitarist who gained prominence as the lead guitarist of the progressive rock band Genesis from 1971 to 1977. Hackett contributed to six Genesis studio albums, three live albums, seven singles and one EP before he left to pursue a solo career. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010.
John Hackett is a British musician, the younger brother of guitarist Steve Hackett. Although his primary instrument is the flute, he also plays guitar, bass, bass pedals and keyboards.
Genesis Revisited, called Watcher of the Skies: Genesis Revisited in the US, is the 12th studio album by Steve Hackett, paying tribute to his former band, Genesis. It mainly features songs originally released by Genesis during Hackett's tenure with the group (1971–77). The previously unreleased song "Déjà Vu" was started by Peter Gabriel in 1973 during the Selling England by the Pound sessions but not finished and Hackett completed the song for this album. There are also two new songs, "Valley of the Kings" and "Waiting Room Only"; the latter is named after and loosely inspired by "The Waiting Room", an instrumental from the 1974 Genesis album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. The original Japanese and Argentinian versions of the album have a slightly different track listing and sequence, dropping "Los Endos" and containing one extra song called "Riding the Colossus". Later Japanese reissues of the album contain the same track listing as the standard international versions.
The Tokyo Tapes is a live and studio album by English guitarist Steve Hackett, released in April 1998 by Camino Records. It documents two concerts performed by a supergroup line-up of Hackett, John Wetton, Chester Thompson, Ian McDonald and Julian Colbeck, in Tokyo, Japan in December 1996. The album includes two studio tracks recorded by Hackett. In 2001, a DVD of the concerts was released, with the same title.
Spectral Mornings is the third studio album by English guitarist and songwriter Steve Hackett, released in May 1979 on Charisma Records. It is his first to feature members of his touring band, which many Hackett fans consider as the "classic line-up". The musicians are his brother John Hackett, Nick Magnus, Dik Cadbury, John Shearer, and Pete Hicks.
Please Don't Touch! is the second studio album by English guitarist and songwriter Steve Hackett. It was released in April 1978 on Charisma Records, and it is his first album released after leaving the progressive rock band Genesis in 1977. Hackett had released Voyage of the Acolyte (1975) during his time in Genesis. For his next solo release he recorded in the United States and hired various guest artists, including singers Randy Crawford, Richie Havens, and Steve Walsh, drummers Phil Ehart and Chester Thompson, bassist Tom Fowler, with Van der Graaf Generator violinist Graham Smith.
Cured is the fifth solo album from Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett.
To Watch the Storms is the 16th studio album by Steve Hackett. It was recorded with his then touring band including his brother John and producer and keyboardist Roger King. The album was released in three formats including a standard and special editions. Cover artwork was by Kim Poor. There was also a Japanese edition with an extra track not included on the UK releases and alternate cover art, also by Kim Poor.
Time Lapse is the first live album by guitarist Steve Hackett. The album is drawn from live performances at the Savoy Theatre in New York City and at Central TV Studios in Nottingham. Chas Cronk of the Strawbs plays bass on the songs recorded in New York, as well as future Marillion drummer, Ian Mosley. Video of this performance was also made available in 1992 via Steve Hackett Live, which has been rereleased a number of times in full and abridged forms in the years since.
John Young is a British rock musician hailing from Liverpool. He is currently the keyboardist and singer for the progressive rock band Lifesigns.
Out of the Tunnel's Mouth is the 20th studio album by English guitarist and songwriter Steve Hackett, released in October 2009 by Wolfwork and EAR Music. Hackett started recording the album in 2008 while he was involved in a legal case against his ex-wife Kim Poor, which created problems regarding its release. As a result, recording took place in his living room with his touring keyboardist Roger King serving as co-producer. The album includes performances by founding Genesis guitarist Anthony Phillips and Yes bassist Chris Squire.
Darktown is the 14th studio album by English musician Steve Hackett, released in 1999. It was reissued in 2013 with 3 bonus tracks. On some copies of this reissue, the title was misspelled as "Darktwon" on the sides of the CD case.
Live Rails is an album by musician Steve Hackett. It was recorded during the tour around the release of Out of the Tunnel's Mouth. It is also one of several of Hackett's official live releases beginning with The Tokyo Tapes to feature a growing number of Genesis songs. The inclusion of these songs foreshadows Hackett’s Genesis Revisited tours, which began in 2013.
Beyond the Shrouded Horizon is the twenty-first studio album by English guitarist and songwriter Steve Hackett.
Genesis Revisited II is the 22nd studio album by musician Steve Hackett, released on 22 October 2012 by Inside Out Music label. It is a sequel to his 1996 album Genesis Revisited and largely consists of reworked versions of songs originally by Genesis with a variety of guest vocalists.
Lifesigns are an English progressive rock band, first conceived by lead singer and keys player John Young in 2008. By 2014, the band's lineup included Steve Rispin as their sound engineer, Jon Poole on bass and vocals, Martin "Frosty" Beedle on drums, percussion and vocals, and formerly Niko Tsonev on guitars and vocals. After Tsonev departed the band in 2016, Dave Bainbridge joined on guitar and additional keys. Beedle left the band in 2020 and was replaced by Zoltán Csörsz.
Do Nothing till You Hear from Me is the first studio album by the Mute Gods, the band formed by Nick Beggs, Roger King and Marco Minnemann. The album was released on 22 January 2016 through InsideOut.
Genesis Revisited: Live at Hammersmith is an album by musician Steve Hackett. It was recorded at the Hammersmith Apollo, during the tour around the release of Genesis Revisited II. It features a full set from the show performed on 10 May 2013, including 18 Genesis songs, and one solo song, Shadow of the Hierophant, that was originally planned as a Genesis song. The box set features the full live show across three CDs and on one DVD, together with a further DVD containing a Behind the Scenes featurette.
Genesis Revisited: Live at the Royal Albert Hall is a live album by musician Steve Hackett. It was recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, London, during the second UK leg of a tour around the release of Genesis Revisited II. It features a full set from the show performed on 24 October 2013, including 18 Genesis songs. The box set features the full live show across two CDs and on one DVD, together with a further DVD containing two documentaries.
Drivers Eyes is the first and only solo album by former King Crimson and Foreigner member Ian McDonald. It features contributions from Peter Frampton, Ian Lloyd, Gary Brooker, Steve Hackett and Hugh McCracken and King Crimson alumni, Michael Giles and John Wetton.
↑ "Steve Hackett Official Website". www.hackettsongs.com. Retrieved 3 August 2023. Phil returns to the fold in the autumn of 2011 after playing on the 2000 Tour of Italy with Steve.
↑ "HackettSongs - Steve Hackett's Official Music Website". www.hackettsongs.com. Retrieved 3 August 2023. The Electric Band involves Roger King on keyboards, Gary O'Toole drums and vocals, Lee Pomeroy bass guitar and Chapman Stick, Rob Townsend brass and woodwind and Amanda Lehmann guitar and vocals.
↑ "Bio". nadsylvan (in Swedish). Retrieved 7 May 2022.
↑ "HackettSongs - Steve Hackett's Official Music Website". www.hackettsongs.com. Retrieved 3 August 2023. Taking the stage again with Steve Hackett is an exceptional team of top class musicians, including Roger King (Gary Moore, Snoop Doggie Dog, Jamelia) on keyboards, Gary O'Toole (Kylie Minogue, Chrissie Hynde) on drums, percussion and vocals, Rob Townsend (Eddie Henderson, Bill Bruford, Django Bates) on sax, flute and percussion, Nick Beggs (Kim Wilde, Steven Wilson) on bass & twelve string and Nad Sylvan (Unifaun, Agents Of Mercy) on vocals.
↑ "HackettSongs - Steve Hackett's Official Music Website". www.hackettsongs.com. Retrieved 3 August 2023. Joining Steve on the tour are musicians Roger King (keyboards), Gary O'Toole (drums/percussion), Rob Townsend (saxes/flutes), Nick Beggs (bass, stick & twelve string) and Nad Sylvan on vocals.
↑ "HackettSongs - Steve Hackett's Official Music Website". www.hackettsongs.com. Retrieved 3 August 2023. Joining Steve on this tour are Roger King (keyboards), Gary O'Toole (drums / percussion), Rob Townsend (saxes / flutes), Jonas Reingold (bass / twelve string) and Nad Sylvan on vocals.
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