Genesis Essentials

From their start at a prestigious private school in 1968, Genesis pursued a unique sound. Singer Peter Gabriel's elaborate stage costumes and often-whimsical lyrics defined their early days, culminating in 1974's concept album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. After Gabriel left for a solo career, drummer Phil Collins moved into the frontman role, signaling a change from epic prog workouts to elegant, tuneful pop-rock. Concurrent with Collins' solo career, Genesis became one of the biggest bands of the '80s, scoring multiple hits from smash albums like 1986's Invisible Touch.