Genesis (band)

=== 1970–1972: Collins and Hackett join and ''Nursery Cryme'' ===
The search for a new guitarist and drummer began with advertisements placed in copies of ''[[Melody Maker]]''. The invitation was spotted by drummer [[Phil Collins]], formerly of [[Flaming Youth (band)|Flaming Youth]], who already knew Stratton Smith. He recalled, "My only knowledge of Genesis was through seeing the ads for their gigs. It seemed like they were constantly working.&nbsp;... I thought 'At least I'm going to be working if I get the gig'."{{sfn|Genesis|2007|pp=92–93}} [[Roger Taylor (Queen drummer)|Roger Taylor]], subsequently of [[Queen (band)|Queen]], turned down an invitation to audition.<ref>{{cite news |title=Queen 40th anniversary: 10 things you never knew |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/8784298/Queen-40th-anniversary-10-things-you-never-knew.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/8784298/Queen-40th-anniversary-10-things-you-never-knew.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=24 September 2011 |access-date=27 August 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Collins went to the audition at Gabriel's parents' house in [[Chobham]], Surrey with his Flaming Youth bandmate, guitarist [[Ronnie Caryl]]. As they arrived early, Collins took a swim in the pool and heard what the other drummers were playing. "They put on ''Trespass'' and my initial impression of a very soft and round music, not edgy, with vocal harmonies and I came away thinking [[Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young|Crosby, Stills and Nash]]".{{sfn|Genesis|2007|p=94}} Gabriel and Rutherford noticed the confident way Collins approached and sat at his drum kit and knew he would be the right replacement. Banks said, "It was a combination of things. He could make it swing a little bit&nbsp;... he could also tell good jokes and make us laugh&nbsp;... And he could sing, which was an advantage because Mike and I were not very good at back-up vocals".{{sfn|Genesis|2007|p=95}} In August 1970, Collins became the new drummer for Genesis. Caryl's audition was unsuccessful; Rutherford thought he was not the player the group were looking for.{{sfn|Genesis|2007|p=94}}

After a short holiday, Genesis began to write and rehearse as a four-piece band in [[Farnham]], Surrey. The now empty guitar sections in their songs allowed Banks and Rutherford to expand their sound and play what Gabriel described as "interesting chords".{{sfn|Genesis|2007|p=95}} As they had not found a new guitarist, Genesis resumed as a live act with Rutherford adding [[bass pedals]] and Banks playing lead guitar lines on a [[Pianet]] through a distorted [[Distortion (music)|fuzz box]] amplifier in addition to his keyboard parts, something that he credits in helping him develop his technique.{{sfn|Genesis|2007|p=96}} In November 1970, after a second audition with Caryl fell through, Dave Stopps, owner of [[Friars Aylesbury|Friars club]] in [[Aylesbury]], suggested they use [[Mick Barnard]] of The Farm, who joined the band for their gigs; which included Genesis's television debut on BBC's ''[[Disco 2 (TV series)|Disco 2]]''.{{sfn|Rutherford|2015|p=94}} After two months of performances, the band found Barnard lacked in expertise and wished to try someone else.{{sfn|Bowler|Dray|1992|p=41}} In December, Gabriel spotted a ''Melody Maker'' advert from [[Steve Hackett]], formerly of [[Quiet World]], who wanted to join a band of "receptive musicians, determined to drive beyond existing stagnant music forms".{{sfn|Bowler|Dray|1992|p=43}} Gabriel advised Hackett to become familiar with ''Trespass'' and attend their upcoming gig at the [[Lyceum Theatre, London|Lyceum Theatre]] in London.{{sfn|Bowler|Dray|1992|p=43}} Hackett auditioned with the group in a flat in [[Earl's Court]] and formed an instant rapport with Rutherford through a common interest in [[inverted chord]]s.{{sfn|Genesis|2007|p=101}} After Hackett joined in January 1971,{{sfn|Bowler|Dray|1992|p=44}} Stratton Smith organised a UK tour with Genesis opening for fellow Charisma acts [[Lindisfarne (band)|Lindisfarne]] and [[Van der Graaf Generator]].{{sfn|Genesis|2007|p=103}} Their first overseas dates took place in March with gigs in Belgium{{sfn|Hewitt|2001|p=32}} followed by their first of three consecutive appearances at the annual [[Reading Festival]] on 26 June.{{sfn|Platts|2001|p=42}}

Rehearsals for the band's third album, ''[[Nursery Cryme]]'', took place at [[Luxford House]] near [[Crowborough]], [[East Sussex]], which Stratton Smith had owned.{{sfn|Genesis|2007|pp=105–106}} Recording began at Trident Studios in August 1971 with Anthony and Hentschel reprising their respective roles as producer and assistant engineer. The band's sound evolved, with Hackett's more aggressive electric guitar work and Banks adding a [[Mellotron]] previously owned by [[King Crimson]] to his set of keyboards.{{sfn|Platts|2001|p=43}} The opening track, "[[The Musical Box (Genesis song)|The Musical Box]]", originated when Phillips and Mayhew were in the group. The band developed the piece further including the addition of new guitar parts from Hackett.{{sfn|Bowler|Dray|1992|p=53}} "The Musical Box" and "The Return of the Giant Hogweed" are the first recordings in which Hackett uses the [[tapping]] technique.<ref>[[#NurseryCrymeDVD|Band Interviews feature from ''Nursery Cryme'' DVD at 31:02–31:33]]</ref> Hackett and Collins wrote "For Absent Friends", which was the first Genesis track with Collins on lead vocals. On the album's cover, Whitehead depicted a Victorian [[manor house]] based on Gabriel's parents' home, and scenes and characters from the lyrics to "The Musical Box".{{sfn|Macan|1997|pp=60–61}}

''Nursery Cryme'' was released in November 1971 and reached No. 39 in the UK in 1974.{{sfn|Genesis|2007|p=349}} Though the group still had a minor cult following at home, they started to achieve commercial and critical success in mainland Europe, with the album reaching No. 4 in the Italian charts.{{sfn|Bowler|Dray|1992|p=59}} From November 1971 to August 1972, Genesis toured to support the album, including further visits to Belgium and, for the first time, Italy, where they played to enthusiastic crowds.{{sfn|Genesis|2007|p=349}} In January{{sfn|Hewitt|2001|p=33}} and March{{sfn|Platts|2001|p=44}} 1972 they recorded radio sessions for BBC's ''Sounds of the Seventies'' programme and later in the year performed at the Reading Festival to some critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Report on the Reading Festival: Genesis |magazine=[[Melody Maker]] |date=26 August 1972}}</ref> During the tour, Genesis recorded "Happy the Man", a non-album single, with "[[Seven Stones (song)|Seven Stones]]" from ''Nursery Cryme'' on its B-side.{{sfn|Bowler|Dray|1992|pp=61,249}}