NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--March 28, 1996--Atlantic recording group Genesis, one of the most successful rock bands in the world, are currently seeking a vocalist.
"This is the first move to recruit a new member since Peter Gabriel left the group in 1975. For the past 20 years, drummer Phil Collins has been temping as singer, to great acclaim. Now, however, he has decided to move on in order to concentrate on his solo projects.
Mike Rutherford -- whose other band, Mike & The Mechanics, are on a sold-out UK tour, with an album at No. 3 in the charts -- confirmed that this was a completely amicable parting. "I quite understand Phil's reasons for leaving -- being in two highly successful outfits is very hard work. When a change like this comes about, it brings something different, and that's what we've found with the new direction our music is now taking. The new Genesis album that Tony and I are working on will be much heavier and darker."
Tony Banks, keyboard player with Genesis since he and Peter Gabriel formed a songwriting partnership at school in 1966, described Phil's departure as "an opportunity rather than a problem. Of course we'll miss him. We have had some fantastic times together. But this gives us a chance to take Genesis to the next stage."
Phil Collins commented: "Having been in Genesis for 25 years, I felt it time to change direction in my musical life. For me now, it will be music for movies, some jazz projects, and of course my solo career. I wish the guys in Genesis all the very best in their future. We remain the best of friends."
The band, who have sold over 80 million albums so far, have begun work on a new album, their twentieth, and will be auditioning vocalists in the near future. They are still considering their options as regards replacing Collins with a regular drummer."
LOS ANGELES (Reuter) - "Phil Collins, the creative force behind veteran British art-rock band Genesis has quit to focus on his solo career, the group said Thursday.
Remaining members Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks are seeking a new vocalist and drummer to replace Collins, and they hope to release a new album early next year. The last Genesis studio album was 1991's 'We Can't Dance'.
Rutherford, the band's bassist/guitarist, said in a statement Collins' departure was amicable. "I quite understand Phil's reasons for leaving - being in two highly successful outfits is very hard work."
He added the new Genesis album would be "heavier and darker" than previous efforts. To date, Genesis has sold over 80 million albums despite frequent sniping from critics.
The last time the band sought a new member was in 1975 when vocalist Peter Gabriel quit. Hundreds of singers were auditioned until they settled on drummer Collins who had joined the band on their second album, 1970's "Trespass"(!).
When Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett left a few years after Gabriel, the band commemorated the event by calling an album "...And Then There Were Three".
Collins, whose hit song "Another Day in Paradise" won the 1990 Grammy for Record of the Year, is currently working on a follow-up to "Both Sides", his commercially disappointing album from 1993."