# Genesis pulled off one of the most controversial career changes ever. Some fans haven’t forgiven them

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/genesis-pulled-off-one-of-the-most-controversial-career-changes-ever-some-fans-havent-forgiven-them/
- Published: 2026-11-08T00:05:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-08T00:25:59+00:00
- Original publisher: Louder
- Original article: https://www.loudersound.com/music/albums/it-was-always-on-the-bands-to-do-list-to-have-hit-singles-to-be-played-on-the-radio-genesis-pulled-off-one-of-the-most-controversial-career-changes-in-history-some-of-their-fans-still-havent-forgiven-them
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Genesis’s move towards pop was a group evolution.
- Collins stepped up after Gabriel’s departure.
- The band initially struggled to find a replacement singer.

## Summary

Genesis gradually moved from progressive rock towards shorter, more radio-friendly songs in the 1980s, a shift that some fans still resent. Phil Collins said the change reflected the band’s shared evolution and longstanding ambition to have hit singles, rather than a deliberate break with their past.

The article also recounts how Collins became the group’s singer after Peter Gabriel left in 1975. The band struggled to find a replacement while recording *A Trick of the Tail*, and Collins volunteered to sing after auditions failed; the album and its successor, *Wind and Wuthering*, were well received.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.