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was formed in 1967 when founding members Peter Gabriel and Tony Banks were students at Charterhouse School in Godalming, England. Formed out of school bands "Garden Wall" and "Anon," the original line-up consisted of Peter Gabriel (vocals), Anthony Phillips (guitar), Tony Banks (keyboards), Mike Rutherford (bass & guitar) and Chris Stewart (drums). After being discovered by a record producer who was a school alumnus, Genesis came out with their first album in 1969. Over the next several years Genesis made headway with their uniquely theatrical brand of progressive rock. A series of personnel changes introduced a new drummer, Phil Collins, and guitarist Steve Hackett. Gradually, the world started to take notice.

Genesis scored their first major critical success with Foxtrot, an album released in October 1972. Songs such as the Arthur C. Clarke-inspired "Watcher of the Skies" solidified their reputation as songwriters and performers. Gabriel's flamboyant and theatrical stage presence, which involved numerous costume changes and surreal song introductions, made the band a popular live act It was followed by the release of 'Selling England by the Pound' in 1973, which made #3 on the UK charts, gave the band a reputation in America, and also provided their first UK hit-single. A year later, Genesis released the concept double album 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway'. This album was also the last one to be made by the 'original' Genesis line-up.

In May 1975 Peter Gabriel announced his departure, and, almost two years later, Steve Hackett also left to embark upon a solo career. In 1978 Collins, Banks and Rutherford moved from their prog-rock origins towards a light rock sound of the type that would dominate the worldwide charts in the 1980s. Genesis songs from this period included "Throwing It All Away", "In Too Deep", "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight", "Land of Confusion" and "Invisible Touch." In 1987 Genesis were voted Band Of The Year in Rolling Stone Magazine's Reader's poll. Members of the band soon took off to work on solo projects and Collins left for good in 1996. But the band, including a lineup of Banks, Collins and Rutherford, got together for a sold out reunion tour in 2007, which just goes to show that good music never dies.