How Genesis ex Anthony Phillips helped build the band, lost his mojo and started to rebuild himself
Anthony Phillips’ work in founding Genesis and developing its distinctive sound has often been overlooked, but his career extended well beyond his time in the band. Illness, heartbreak and severe stage fright contributed to his departure in 1970; he later rebuilt his musical life and earned respect for albums spanning genres and for his production music.
Phillips recalled how Genesis grew from school bands Anon and The Garden Wall, which included Mike Rutherford, Peter Gabriel and Tony Banks. After hearing the sound of a 12-string guitar at Charterhouse, he began writing differently, alongside the group’s experiments with unusual chords. He said the early musicians did not recognise how distinctive that approach was at the time.
- Phillips helped shape Genesis before leaving in 1970.
- Stage fright and illness contributed to his departure.
- He later built a respected, varied musical career.
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Genesis began in the late 1960s, growing out of school groups Anon and The Garden Wall. Its early members included guitarist Anthony Phillips, bassist and guitarist Mike Rutherford, singer Peter Gabriel and keyboard player Tony Banks.
Phillips helped shape the band’s early sound through his 12-string guitar playing and songwriting, as the group experimented with unusual chords. He left in 1970 after illness, heartbreak and severe stage fright, but continued making music in a varied solo career and wrote production music used in other settings.
His story helps explain how Genesis developed its distinctive early style and how musicians’ contributions can extend beyond their time in a famous band.