“It was early days for the band. We’d gone out on a limb… it was by no means certain that the response would be positive”: Genesis’ early fears for Foxtrot
Genesis feared that their 1972 album Foxtrot might not be well received because it was a more ambitious and challenging work than anything they had made before. Guitarist Steve Hackett recalled that, despite the band’s creative commitment, they could not be sure audiences would respond positively.
The article reflects on Foxtrot 40 years after its release, describing it as the point at which Genesis’s classic line-up fully emerged. Its reputation was secured in particular by the long progressive-rock suite Supper’s Ready, which has since become one of the genre’s most celebrated pieces.
- Genesis feared Foxtrot’s ambition could alienate listeners.
- The 1972 album became a landmark progressive-rock release.
- Supper’s Ready remains its best-known centrepiece.