Steve Hacet Print

Having recently turned 70, Steve Hackett is soon to publish his autobiography, unexpectedly titled A Genesis In My Bed. He suggests, “It’s certainly more revealing than what I’ve read from the other guys thus far.” Disarmingly warm and candid, he’s happy to take a canter through a career which, after slumping in the doldrums for a while before the turn of the century, has since located uplifting new gears and dimensions. He made his name, of course, as Genesis’ guitarist in the golden years, playing with them from 1970 to 1977, from Nursery Cryme through The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway to the post-Gabriel reboot of A Trick Of The Tail and Wind And Wuthering. Eventually dissatisfied and feeling marginalised, craving autonomy, he then left to launch his solo work, enjoying early success with ambitious art-rock albums. In the mid-80s he formed AOR supergroup GTR with Yes man Steve Howe. After one high-selling album, the “novelty value” wore off. His profile faded somewhat from the late 80s, but he kept afloat through sheer versatility and talent, releasing blues, classical and genre-dodging music. He’s risen again in recent times, adopting the twin-pronged approach of carrying the torch of the older Genesis music on tour and channelling new inspirations (from world music to a modern take on pomp-prog in his solo releases). It’s brought him large audiences and acclaim worldwide. 2010 saw him inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as a Genesis graduate. He married third wife, Jo Lehmann, who co-writes his material, a year later and as a keen traveller, he is (when we speak it’s a new development) as saddened by the Covid-19 lockdown as any of us. Wryly recalling five decades of negotiating the hurdles of the business while remaining creative, he’s also, let’s not forget, rated as an astounding musician; the guitarists’ guitarist. Let’s get entangled with his past and present.