Music continues to inspire Steve Hackett | Community

Having grown up in the “smoke of London,†guitarist Steve Hackett “absolutely loves Arizona.â€

“I remember years ago, doing a tour—and this was decades ago—I went to Arizona, and I wasn’t sick,†said Hackett, who previously played with Genesis. “It wasn’t until I went to Arizona that I felt really good. It changed me. Suddenly I could breathe again. For people who grew up in the smog of London, as I did when I was a child, it was wonderful to breathe oxygenated air.

He will return to the Grand Canyon State for the “Foxtrot at Fifty + Hackett Highlights†concert at the Rialto in Tucson on Friday, April 12, and the Phoenix Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 13.

Hackett’s show is in two halves. He’ll play his solo material to start, and then, after a 20-minute set, the Genesis lead guitarist will revisit songs from the band’s 1972 album, “Foxtrot.â€

“I have, what I consider, the best band in the world,†Hackett said. “They are good dancers and singers. My latest album, ‘The Circus and the Nightwhale’ has hit the UK and German charts. It went over the rock and steel charts. We’ll play three songs from there live.

“After a 20-minute break, I will play the entirety of Genesis’ 1972 album, ‘Foxtrot.’ The second half is like the museum’s doors have been thrown wide open to old shows. €

Hackett stated that this is his favorite era of Genesis, when it was led by Peter Gabriel, around 1972 to 1973. The band received the seal of approval from peers.

“That was a unique period when John Lennon did an interview and thought Genesis were the true sons of the Beatles,†he said.

“That was the nicest thing any Beatle has ever said about the band. At the time, we were a five piece with Peter Gabriel as lead singer. We were all writing — Phil Collins, Tony (Banks), Mike (Rutherford) and Peter Gabriel. As a writing team of five, you can produce exceptional work.â

In 1974, Genesis made its debut in America with the album “Selling Britain by the Pound,†he said. However, Hackett explained, American audiences wanted to “boogie†more than they wanted to listen to music on purpose. A year later, Collins took over the vocal duties.

New album

Hackett said “The Circus and the Nightwhale†is a cult concept album with a young character named Travla at its center. 13 songs are autobiographical.

“The latest album I’ve done, it’s conceptual and narrative driven,†he said. “It is a story and it is somewhat autobiographical. It starts in 1950 with real music and sounds from the year I was born. It’s a soundscape before the band arrives. It goes through various noises and a string orchestra.

“The album starts before rock ‘n’ roll, and the style of music that closes the album is rock and pop. It is primarily autobiographical and figurative. It seems to have gone down well with fans on both sides of the pond.â€

This is Hackett’s first new music in over two years. Recorded on tour in 2022 and 2023 at Siren Studios in the UK, the album features an array of talented musicians. They include Roger King (keyboards, arrangements and orchestra), Rob Townsend (sax), Jonas Reingold (bass), Nad Sylvan (vocals), Craig Blundell (drums) and Amanda Lehmann on vocals. Nick D’Virgilio and Hugo Degenhardt return as guests on the drumstool, engineer Benedict Fenner appears on keyboards and Malik Mansurov is back on pitch. Finally, Hackett’s brother, John, plays the flute once again.

“This is very different from my first solo album,†he said. “Half the guys in Genesis were helping me with that. My rhythm section was Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins. The second album, ‘Please Don’t Touch!,’ was more challenging.

“I have been fortunate to have wonderful experiences with other musicians, many of whom have been at least as good as me and have given me much more.

His music is unique, as he takes a multi-genre approach with his second album, “Please Don’t Touch!†The collection features guest artists such as singers Randy Crawford, Richie Havens and Steve Walsh, drummers Phil Ehart and Chester Thompson, bassist Tom Fowler, and Van der Graaf Generator violinist Graham Smith.

“I like all kinds of music,†he said. “I was influenced by some CBS albums made in the late 1960s, ‘The Rock Machine’ and ‘The Rock Machine Loves You.’ They had music by Simon & Garfunkel, the Zombies, some The British. , some of the United States, absolutely.

“My friends and I loved these albums. Wear one of these and they are perfect for a party. I wondered if I could make an album like this and make music where each song was a different style and a completely different team. That’s what ‘Please Don’t Touch!’ meant to me.

When Hackett left Genesis in 1977—having been with the group in the 1970s—he immediately knew he wanted to work with Black American musicians. He called it the “core team.â€

When Genesis debuted in the US, it worked on the bill with Havens serving as headliners.

“When Genesis became popular by 1977, we were looking for support at Earl’s Court, which seats about 18,000,” he said.

“We did three nights with Richie as our support. We became firm friends. I got to spend time with him. My mother was living with me at the time. He just separated from my father. He was very impressed. Here’s this guy on the stage at Woodstock one minute, and the next minute he’s helping her wash. He was very taken with her.

“He impressed her, and he was a wonderful person to work with. He is probably the greatest singer I have ever worked with.â

Long and winding road

Hackett was born in London, while his Genesis bandmates grew up in the countryside. One thing they had in common was their love for Jimmy Webb and classical music. Hackett said Genesis was a “melting pot for what was to come†for him, musically.

“The latest album is my 30th album,†he said. “I seem to have made more albums than anyone I know. I’m still crazy about music. I love recording it. I love writing it. I like to visit it. I feel I’ve been lucky to have been able to do that for my entire career. It is a very good opportunity to make a living in this way.â

Steve Hackett

WHEN: 8pm Friday, April 12

WHERE: Rialto Theatre,

218 E. Congress Street, Tucson

COST: Tickets start at $39

INFORMATION: rialtotheatre.com

Steve Hackett

WHEN: 7:30pm Saturday, April 13

WHERE: Hall of Fame,

440 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix

COST: Tickets start at $37

INFORMATION: celebritytheatre.com