Rock band Genesis have announced plans to re-form, with Phil Collins and his former bandmates set to embark on a massive UK and Ireland tour in 2020. After a lengthy 13-year break from live shows, the popular and hugely successful group are set to put any previous adversities behind themselves. They want to give their loyal fans the news that they have long been hoping for, with dates selling out fast for “The Last Domino?” tour.
The multi-million selling band appeared on Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 Breakfast Show earlier this week, as they spoke of their future plans, building on the rumours that had been sparked in January of this year when all three were seen together at a New York basketball game.
They had last toured as Genesis back in 2007, marking their 40th anniversary as a group after being formed way back in 1967 at Charterhouse School in Godalming.
Explaining their reunion decision, Collins told BBC News that "It sounds a bit of a lame reason - but we enjoy each other's company, we enjoy playing together."
Collins’ son keeps up the family tradition
However, there will be a new face to many on the drums this time around, but at least they are keeping it in the family. Collins’ talented 18-year-old son Nicholas is to step in, having already performed admirably on his father’s solo shows, and the group feels that his presence will help to keep the continuity of their sound going.
Indeed, fellow band member Tony Banks reflected that “he can sound like Phil.”
Extra dates added as venues sell out
The early signs for the 2020 tour look extremely promising, with the original wave of tickets selling out in just ten minutes, leading to another six dates already being added to meet the healthy demand. The tour kicks off in Ireland in mid-November at Dublin and Belfast arenas, taking in significant venues in Liverpool, Newcastle, Leeds, and London as it traverses the UK throughout the rest of the month and into December.
Departures led to Collins’ ‘promotion’
Lead singer and drummer Collins, bassist Mike Rutherford and keyboard player Banks formed a formidable partnership during the 1980s after original former Genesis stars Peter Gabriel and guitarist Steve Hackett left the band in the late 1970s. Indeed, it was the departure of the flamboyant lead singer Gabriel and the fruitless search for a suitable replacement, that ultimately led to the ‘promotion’ of Collins to take over as the frontman.
Change of sound and chart success
Global chart success with hits such as “Invisible Touch,” “Mama,” “Abacab” and “That’s All” made them a household name in the music industry, as they transformed their early folk Music influences, through progressive rock in the 1970s, and then towards the pop music scene thereafter.
Health issues restrict touring
Sadly, the multi-talented Collins’ – a film star besides number one recording artist as a soloist – has long-term health issues which left him unable to play drums for extended periods of time, due to nerve damage in his hands after the 2007 Genesis tour. The 69-year-old music veteran has demonstrated mobility problems in recent years during live appearances, and his availability for touring has been affected as a result.
