Genesis have a very strange place in music history. They existed outside of fashion, sold an incredible number of records (particularly albums), filled some of the world's biggest venues and launched two hugely successful solo careers. And yet, as has been commented by many music critics over the years, it's hard to imagine the music business would have developed very differently without them (excepting the outstanding solo career of Peter Gabriel) and they have few outstanding songs which have become part of popular culture. This documentary merely confirmed that when it comes to rock royalty and national treasure status, Genesis are way behind bands like The Beatles, The Stones, The Who, Pink Floyd, Queen and Fleetwood Mac.
One of the most glaringly noticeable things about the documentary is the complete absence of any major musicians influenced by the band or famous music critics talking about them. There were a number of talking heads but I honestly had no idea who any of them were (with the exception of a brief appearance by the convicted sex offender Jonathan King, who discovered the band, and the comedian Al "The Pub Landlord" Murray). Even the usually ubiquitous Paul Gambaccinni couldn't be bothered to turn up for this! This led me to think that this documentary was really done on the cheap (which it did look like, to be honest) or it confirmed that few people of any note have anything interesting to say about the band. Probably both. On the plus side, one of the speakers was a quite an attractive posh young blonde woman, which was quite a surprise to see on a programme about Genesis.
The Genesis members themselves came over as they have always been caricatured: a bunch of polite but rather dull middle class men. Listening to them talk was about as interesting as listening to a bunch of old codgers from the Cheltenham Conservative Club talking about golf. What was really shocking was how rough Phil Collins both looked and sounded. I never thought I'd feel sorry for someone who's had so much bad press, is worth over £100 million and who wrote the egregious "Another Day in Paradise" before disappearing to live in the luxurious rich man's utopia of Switzerland - but I really did. He was a shadow of the man he used to be.
One of the most glaringly noticeable things about the documentary is the complete absence of any major musicians influenced by the band or famous music critics talking about them. There were a number of talking heads but I honestly had no idea who any of them were (with the exception of a brief appearance by the convicted sex offender Jonathan King, who discovered the band, and the comedian Al "The Pub Landlord" Murray). Even the usually ubiquitous Paul Gambaccinni couldn't be bothered to turn up for this! This led me to think that this documentary was really done on the cheap (which it did look like, to be honest) or it confirmed that few people of any note have anything interesting to say about the band. Probably both. On the plus side, one of the speakers was a quite an attractive posh young blonde woman, which was quite a surprise to see on a programme about Genesis.
The Genesis members themselves came over as they have always been caricatured: a bunch of polite but rather dull middle class men. Listening to them talk was about as interesting as listening to a bunch of old codgers from the Cheltenham Conservative Club talking about golf. What was really shocking was how rough Phil Collins both looked and sounded. I never thought I'd feel sorry for someone who's had so much bad press, is worth over £100 million and who wrote the egregious "Another Day in Paradise" before disappearing to live in the luxurious rich man's utopia of Switzerland - but I really did. He was a shadow of the man he used to be.