Steve Hackett facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Steve Hackett
Hackett at concert in Scottsdale, Arizona, 2016
Background information
Birth name	Stephen Richard Hackett
Born	(1950-02-12) 12 February 1950 (age 75) London, England
Genres	Progressive rock blues classical music worldbeat pop rock
Occupation(s)	Musician songwriter producer
Instruments	Guitar, vocals
Years active	1968–present
Labels	Charisma Camino Chrysalis (US) Epic (US) Gramy Lamborghini Start Wolfwork Blue Plate/Caroline (US) Inside Out Music
Members	List

Stephen Richard Hackett (born February 12, 1950) is an English guitarist. He became famous as the lead guitarist for the progressive rock band Genesis. He was with Genesis from 1971 to 1977. During his time with the band, he worked on six studio albums and three live albums. He also helped create seven singles and one EP.

After leaving Genesis, Steve Hackett started a successful solo career. His first solo album, Voyage of the Acolyte, came out in 1975 while he was still with Genesis. In 1986, he helped form the supergroup GTR with Steve Howe. Their album GTR was very popular, reaching No. 11 in the United States. It also had a Top 20 song called "When the Heart Rules the Mind". After GTR ended in 1987, Hackett continued his solo work. He has released many albums and toured around the world regularly ever since.

Steve Hackett is known for playing many different styles of music. Besides progressive rock, his solo albums include pop, blues, world music, and classical music. Many famous guitarists, like Eddie Van Halen and Brian May, were influenced by his early guitar techniques. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010.

Early Life and Music

Growing Up in London

Stephen Richard Hackett was born on February 12, 1950, in Pimlico, central London. His parents were Peter and June Hackett. Interestingly, he was born just one day before Peter Gabriel, who would later become his bandmate in Genesis. Steve has a younger brother, John, who plays the flute. John has often performed and written music with Steve throughout his career. He even helped write some early Genesis songs without getting official credit.

In the 1950s, Steve's family moved to Vancouver, Canada. However, they soon returned to London because his mother missed home too much. Steve went to Sloane Grammar School in Chelsea.

Discovering the Guitar

Steve Hackett grew up with musical instruments like the harmonica and recorder. But he didn't get interested in the guitar until he was 12 years old. He started by playing single notes. By age 14, he was learning chords and trying out different chord progressions. He never had any formal music lessons for the guitar.

Steve's first musical influences were classical composers like Johann Sebastian Bach and opera singers like Mario Lanza. He says their music still inspires his own compositions. He also liked many British blues artists, such as Danny Kirwan and Peter Green. Other influences included Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, and King Crimson.

Steve Hackett's Career

Early Bands (1968–1970)

Steve Hackett's first professional music experiences were with three rock bands. These included Canterbury Glass, Heel Pier, and Sarabande. All of these bands played rock music with elements of progressive rock.

In 1970, he joined a band called Quiet World. His brother John, who played the flute, was also in this band. Steve didn't write any songs for Quiet World because the band's leaders decided what everyone played. This was fine with Steve, as he wanted to gain experience in a recording studio. Quiet World had a record deal. Steve played on their only album, The Road (1970), and left the band soon after.

Joining Genesis (1970–1977)

In December 1970, Steve Hackett put an advertisement in a music magazine called Melody Maker. He was looking for a new band. The ad said he was an "Imaginative guitarist-writer" who wanted to "strive beyond existing stagnant music forms." He meant he wanted to explore new music styles.

Hackett on stage with Genesis, 1977

Genesis lead singer Peter Gabriel saw the ad and contacted Steve. Genesis needed a new guitarist because their original one had left. The band also included keyboardist Tony Banks, bassist Mike Rutherford, and drummer Phil Collins. Peter Gabriel told Steve to listen to their album Trespass (1970) before his audition. Steve's first live show with Genesis was on January 24, 1971, in London.

Making Music with Genesis

Steve's first album with Genesis was Nursery Cryme (1971). He helped shape the band's sound by encouraging them to use a Mellotron, which is a type of keyboard. His guitar playing was very important on songs like "The Musical Box". He was one of the first guitarists to use the guitar tapping technique. This technique is often linked to Eddie Van Halen, but Steve said Van Halen learned it after seeing Genesis play.

On the album Foxtrot (1972), Steve wrote a guitar solo called "Horizons". He based it on a piece for cello by Johann Sebastian Bach. The album Selling England by the Pound (1973) shows Steve using tapping and sweep picking techniques. These were later made popular by other guitarists. The song "Firth of Fifth" has one of Steve's most famous guitar solos. It is still a favorite song in concerts today.

Working on The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974) was a difficult time for the band. Steve was going through a divorce. While Peter Gabriel wrote most of the lyrics, all the band members worked together on the music. Steve liked "The Lamia" and "Fly on a Windshield" from this album.

Leaving Genesis

After recording his first solo album, Voyage of the Acolyte, Steve returned to Genesis. They recorded A Trick of the Tail (1976). This was the first album where Phil Collins sang lead vocals. Steve helped write songs like "Dance on a Volcano".

Wind & Wuthering (1976) was Steve's last studio album with Genesis. He felt he didn't have enough freedom to include his own songs. He wanted more of his material on the album, but the band didn't agree. He was credited on four of the nine songs. Another song he wrote, "Please Don't Touch", was practiced but not used.

Steve left Genesis during the mixing of their live album, Seconds Out. His departure was announced in October 1977. Steve said he "needed autonomy," meaning he wanted more control over his music.

Genesis Reunions

The Genesis lineup from 1970–1975 has reunited a few times since Steve left.

• In 1982, the band played a special concert called Six of the Best. This show raised money for Peter Gabriel's WOMAD festival.
• In 1998, Genesis members met for photos and dinner to celebrate a box set release. Steve and Peter Gabriel re-recorded some parts for this release.
• In 2010, the 1970–1975 Genesis lineup was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Steve attended the ceremony with Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, and Phil Collins.
• In 2014, Steve was in a BBC documentary about Genesis. He later said he was unhappy with it because it didn't focus enough on his solo work.
• In 2022, Steve was invited to the final Genesis concert in London. However, he couldn't go because his own tour had been rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Solo Career (1975–Present)

1970s Solo Work

Hackett performing with Genesis in 1977

In October 1975, Steve Hackett released his first solo album, Voyage of the Acolyte. It reached No. 26 in the UK. Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford from Genesis played on the album. Steve enjoyed the freedom of making his own music. However, he was told by his bandmates that he couldn't continue his solo career while in Genesis.

His first album after leaving Genesis was Please Don't Touch!, released in 1978. This album had a lot of progressive rock music. It also featured many different singers, including folk singer Richie Havens and R&B singer Randy Crawford. Steve sang lead on one song, "Carry On Up the Vicarage," but his voice was changed with a special effect. The album reached No. 38 in the UK.

To play his new music live, Steve formed a band. It included his brother John on flute, and other musicians on bass, keyboards, drums, and vocals. They toured Europe in late 1978. Steve recorded his next album, Spectral Mornings, in early 1979. This album had various styles, including rock, folk, and even a Chinese koto. It reached No. 22 in the UK.

1980s Solo Work

Before recording his fourth album, Defector, Steve played some new songs live. He felt recording Defector was similar to Spectral Mornings. He thought the songs on Defector were some of the best he had ever written. When it was released, Defector reached No. 9 in the UK. This is still his highest-charting album in the country. The tour for this album was his first solo tour in the US.

Steve changed his musical style with his fifth album, Cured (1981). He sang all the lead vocals himself. Instead of a live drummer, he used an electronic drum machine. The album mixed progressive rock with a more pop-oriented sound. Cured reached No. 15 in the UK.

In 1983, Steve released Highly Strung. This was his last album with Charisma Records. They had disagreements about his music direction. Highly Strung went to No. 16 in the UK.

Steve then signed with Lamborghini Records. This led to his seventh album, Bay of Kings, in 1983. This album featured classical guitar music. It reached No. 70 in the UK. In 1984, he returned to rock music with Till We Have Faces. This album blended his guitar playing with Brazilian percussion and world music.

GTR and Beyond

In 1985, Steve formed the supergroup GTR with Yes guitarist Steve Howe. Their album sold very well and included the hit song "When the Heart Rules the Mind." This song reached No. 14 on the US charts, which was Steve's highest-charting US single. Steve soon left GTR due to money and management problems. He wanted to pursue a less mainstream music path.

After GTR, Steve recorded a new solo album, Momentum (1988). He found making this album "therapeutic" after his issues with GTR. He enjoyed returning to music without outside pressures. His tour for Momentum was very successful, with large crowds across Europe.

In 1989, Steve led a charity single called "Sailing." It was a cover of a Rod Stewart song. The project, called Rock Against Repatriation, raised money for Asian groups facing difficult conditions. Many famous musicians, including Brian May, helped with the song.

1990s Solo Work

Hackett at the concert in Germany, 2005

In 1992, Steve Hackett started touring again after six years. He was happy that his North American tour was well attended. He used the tour to test new songs and promote his first live album, Time Lapse. Also in 1992, he released The Unauthorised Biography, a collection of songs. He also performed an acoustic show with the London Chamber Orchestra, playing music by Vivaldi. He called this show a highlight of his career.

In May 1993, Steve released his tenth studio album, Guitar Noir. It included a song called "Walking Away from Rainbows." This song was about his decision to leave mainstream music and follow his own path. After this, he released a blues album, Blues with a Feeling (1994). It had both cover songs and new songs he wrote.

For his next album, Steve decided to re-record some Genesis songs with guest musicians. This album was called Genesis Revisited (1996). It reached No. 95 in the UK. The album included "Déjà Vu," a song Steve wrote with Peter Gabriel in 1973 that was never finished.

In April 1997, he released A Midsummer Night's Dream. This album had a neo-classical style with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It reached the top 10 on the UK classical chart. In 1999, Steve released his fourteenth studio album, Darktown. The album's ideas took eight years to finish. It reached No. 156 in the UK.

2000s Solo Work

Steve Hackett in Warsaw (2006)

In 2000, Steve and his brother John released Sketches of Satie. This album was a tribute to the French composer Erik Satie. They rearranged his music for flute and guitar. Later in 2000, an album called Feedback 86 was released. This album had music Steve had put together in 1986, some of which was meant for a second GTR album.

In 2001, Steve wrote instrumental music for a documentary called Outwitting Hitler. This was his first time working on a film soundtrack.

In 2003, Steve released To Watch the Storms. This was his first studio album in four years. It marked his return to progressive rock music. His next solo album was the orchestral Metamorpheus (2005). This was followed by the rock album Wild Orchids (2006). Then came Tribute (2007), a classical album with his own pieces and songs by Bach and others.

The recording of Out of the Tunnel's Mouth (2009) faced some legal problems. A court decision allowed Steve to release the album on his new label, Wolfwork Records. The album was recorded in Steve's own flat. It featured contributions from former Genesis guitarist Anthony Phillips and Yes bassist Chris Squire. Steve toured to support the album. In August 2009, an official biography about Steve, Sketches of Hackett, was released.

2010s Solo Work

Hackett performing Genesis Revisited in 2013

In 2011, Steve released his 24th studio album, Beyond the Shrouded Horizon. In 2012, he and Chris Squire released an album together called A Life Within a Day under the name Squackett.

Steve released Genesis Revisited II in October 2012. He wanted to play the Genesis songs live again. He invited many musicians to perform the songs, which included both Genesis and his own solo material. The album was very popular and led to sold-out tours in the UK. The album reached No. 24 in the UK. In 2013, his show at Hammersmith Apollo won the Event of the Year Award at the Progressive Music Awards.

In March 2015, Steve released Wolflight, which reached No. 31 in the UK. This album included Chris Squire's last studio recording. In September 2015, a documentary about Steve's career, The Man, The Music, was released.

Steve's solo album The Night Siren (2017) explored world music and progressive rock. It also had influences from The Beatles. In October 2017, Steve won the "Chris Squire Virtuoso" award.

In October 2018, Steve toured the UK with his band and the 41-piece Heart of England Symphony Orchestra. A live album and concert film from this tour was released in 2019.

Steve released At the Edge of Light in January 2019. It reached No. 28 in the UK. In 2019, Steve toured playing the entire Selling England by the Pound album by Genesis. He also played songs from At the Edge of Light and Spectral Mornings. A live album from this tour was released in 2020.

2020s Solo Work

In March 2020, Steve Hackett had to cancel his North American tour because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He started touring again in September 2021.

In July 2020, Steve released his autobiography, A Genesis in My Bed. He also revealed he was working on two new albums. One was an acoustic album with an orchestra, Under a Mediterranean Sky (2021). The other was a rock album with world music influences, Surrender of Silence (2021). Surrender of Silence entered the UK chart at No. 31.

Another solo album, The Circus and the Nightwhale, was released in February 2024. In April 2024, Steve had to cancel a show because he was hospitalized due to a reaction to medication.

Personal Life

Steve Hackett has been married three times. His first marriage was to Ellen Busse in 1972. They had one son, Oliver, born in 1974. They divorced in 1974.

In 1981, Steve married Kim Poor, a Brazilian painter and jewelry artist. She designed many of his album covers. They divorced in 2007. This led to some legal issues regarding his music royalties. The case was settled in 2010.

In June 2011, Steve married author Jo Lehmann. Jo has written lyrics for some of Steve's songs. Jo's sister, Amanda, is also a singer and musician. She has performed on Steve's songs and tours since 2009.

Live Band Members

Current

• Steve Hackett – guitar, harmonica, vocals (1978–present)
• Roger King – keyboards (2001–present)
• Rob Townsend – saxophone, flute, keyboards, percussion, bass pedals, vocals (2001–2004, 2009–present)
• Nad Sylvan – vocals, tambourine (2013–present)
• Jonas Reingold – bass, 12-string guitar, bass pedals, vocals (2018–present)
• Craig Blundell – drums, percussion, vocals (2018–present)

Discography

Studio albums

Images for kids

• 

  Hackett at concert in Scottsdale, Arizona, 2016

See also

In Spanish: Steve Hackett para niños