Anthony Phillips Story - Part 1 - Interview by Mark Powell - 2014

Anthony Phillips was a founding member of Genesis at Charterhouse School with Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford. His musical influence was felt strongly on the albums "From Genesis to Revelation" and "Trespass" and lingered after his departure from the group in 1970. As a solo artist his albums such as "Geese and the Ghost", "Wise After the Event", "Sides" and "1984" all earned him a loyal following. In part one of this two part Cherry Red TV interview, possibly one of the most in depth he has done, he discusses his time with Genesis and his long solo career as a recording artist and composer.

[@abyios]

This man has composed some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard.

[@badrogue66]

+abyios Amen to that. Its a shame he's not more well-known.

[@belindapittman7040]

he looks like Joe elliott

[@philseida5428]

One Of My Favorite Guitarists Ever and a Great Person as Well.

[@realrael3550]

This is very very true

[@davidcossu4892]

199% A gift to those who love music

[@gregvoloshen3065]

Fascinating interview for any True Genesis Fan.

[@footiefeet11]

Seems like a really nice, genuine, bloke to me! And a true musical genius.

[@adrianokury]

The host was great and the guest fantastic... Fabulous interview.

[@WinstonGuitar]

When I saw Genesis in 1977, leaflets for The Geese And The Ghost were handed out to the audience. They all were very much on good terms.

[@mikearchibald744]

Phil sang on it too, so certainly no bad blood there.

[@Syfoll]

@@mikearchibald744 It also started as an Ant and Mike album, but Mike couldn't be fully committed to it, so Ant did it as a solo thing, and Ant also played keyboards on Mike's first solo album, so certainly up to 1980 they were still in god relations.

[@mikearchibald744]

@@Syfoll Only Steve and Ant showed up to Peter's prog god award, you never know with celebrity, although I guess in the long run its not really important, its just nice to think of people getting along. I don't think after 1980 any of them were AROUND one another long enough to really NOT get along. I remember Ant saying something about hanging around some with John, the drummer from Trespass once they'd found him and before he passed away.

[@ciaphascyne8866]

god if i saw her now is one of the greatest tracks of all time. youre a legend Ant! We love you!

[@amoh5]

Anthony and his band mates were an interesting musical experiment from a onlookers perspective, because they came from an English aristocratic class of schooling with English intellectualism and snobbery. But they had great artistic and social personalities. A bit different to the working class standards of the beatles who mostly embraced the Americana commercial musical sounds, whereas the Genesis mostly embraced English medieval folk guitars and Victorian piano musical sounds, adding in the tones of English fairy tales and rhymes. They had a very unique English musical sound that you couldn't find anywhere else in the world but England. I love some of Anthony's music work he's very unique and English in his music approach, and very harmonious as well...

[@mikearchibald744]

Absolutely, although I disagree a bit as I think there is more a consensus that the Rolling Stones bought more of the blues americana, the beatles were 'very english' and often 'didn't swing', where american musicians were generally told everything had to swing. Thats almost a quote from Tony Banks. But thats a throwback to classical music where some music was meant for dance, some for recital. I think Anthony most strongly held onto what you could call 'snobbery' in that its music meant to be listened to, not partied to. That was part of early genesis, mainly due to Hackett and Banks, but became less so down the years. But then I"m still working through his catalogue, its a lengthy one so I may have to update that.

[@amoh5]

@@mikearchibald744 It's like a bygone era now, it's hard to find music with the old English medieval and Victorian sound and lyrics, like Led Zepplin, Jethro Tull and Genesis. Genesis focused more on the Victorian sound and lyrics. Very British very English, the old traditional sounds of Britain/England. The Jethro Tull album Songs from the wood, very very British. How about Led Zepplin's stairway to heaven and the battle of evermore, Anthony Phillips album The geese and the ghost, the Genesis watcher of the skies and entangled. 🇬🇧

[@mikearchibald744]

@@amoh5 Strawbs did a lot of that too, Songs from the Witchwood and things like that. Its still done, but not on 'big' albums, but then Genesis wasn't really 'big' then. If you type in 'willie o willsbury' there's a whole bunch of female guitarists doing really good versions of it. On youtube there is likely more people doing it than did it in rock back then, but that whole industry model is gone. Simon and Garfunkel did some of it, more recently Loreena Mckennitt has british traditional ballads as well as celtic, continental and middle eastern ballads. But these bands 'popular' tunes maybe made them more popular than we think they are. I don't think Battle of Evermore was ever anything but a b track, and Jethro Tull was hardly radio friendly, so I think we may just not know of enough other examples. Since genesis was so popular in italy, there is probably tons of 'folky' acoustic stuff done in italian. Even Anthony Phillips talks about tracks on Strings of Light sounding pretty 'iberean' like 'castle ruins'. But nowadays I dont even know how to FIND what is popular music, not that I ever followed it much anyway. Certainly folk music is still around, but more guitar based than lute.

[@HunterSThompson191]

My god, this is a fantastic interview. So insightful, funny stories about the legend of Genesis, and the development of Anthony (my favorite composer ever). You can tell there's no hard feelings between the band (at least from Anthony's side). He's a gentle soul that simply wanted to make inventive music. He's a one of a kind, and still making beautiful albums (Seventh Heaven, City of Dreams, etc.) Thank you for posting this.

[@mikearchibald744]

Yeah, he and steve hackett were the only ones to show up when Peter got the 'prog god' award, I hope that was just timing, because you hate to think of people with this much success and money (for some) being pricks. BUt often those with the most success and money are the biggest pricks.

[@davidk6271]

Fantastic interview.

[@thetid8852]

'Trespass' was clearly largely an Anthony Phillips album - you can hear that in his solo work. (Loved his anecdotes about Charterhouse and the early days!)

[@paulayers1111]

Undoubtedly the #1 MOST UNDERRATED and BRILLIANT composer of the 20th century!!!

[@soundmechanicssounddesign]

Very interesting interview, fills in a few gaps of the Genesis history.

[@davidloney5889]

Great to hear from Anthony Phillips, finally!

[@cosmicpickle6562]

I've bought Genesis albums. I've bought solo albums by all of the members of the band as well. I have been listening to them since the late 1970's and I can easily say that I feel Anthony P. is the best and most creative musician to ever come out of this band... Many of his solo albums are simply creative, imaginative, impressionistic genius... I often hear the sound of the British countryside in his music.... -Gary

[@keykrazy]

Cosmic Pickle I'm a die-hard Tony Banks fan myself, but i heard the "Tarka the Otter" stuff just this morning -- it's here on KZbin, incidentally -- and was really quite impressed. (Reminds me of the various styles heard in Tony's "Wicked Lady" score.)

[@cosmicpickle6562]

Yes, it's a beautiful work. Funny thing is-now that Tony's got around to making orchestral albums in recent years (which I like very much), I am always astounded at how much his orchestral work sounds like much of Phillips' own work. I guess growing up and living in that British countryside it must be in the blood of composers or something... I really think the most talented 'serious' musicians to come out of Genesis were Phillips, Banks, and I also have to put a good word in for much of Steve Hackett's instrumental works/albums as well...

[@keykrazy]

Cosmic Pickle Right on. Just listened to "Tarka the Otter, Part 3" here on YT and am really enjoying it. Am surprised as well at how similar Phillips' and Banks' classical works sound at time. I've only got into a little bit of Hackett's solo stuff; i should give some more of it a listen...

[@cosmicpickle6562]

Even Hackett's 'Prog Rock' albums are pretty good-but nowadays after about 40 years i'm finally tiring of most of that music and I far prefer Hackett's 'classical' (instrumental) albums which follow a similar vibe as Phillips' works. Check out "Bay of Kings" which has that Phillips' vibe to it.. I'm dying to see pictures of the house and area where Phillips' lives in England. I've always imagined what it looks like since I bought my first Phillips album in the late 1970's. I've always pictured some beautiful British countryside village as the kind of surrounding he has. I swear that's what I hear in his music....

[@keykrazy]

Thank you for the recommendation, Mr. Pickle. :) I will definitely check out Steve's "Bay of Kings" in time. After a similar length of time i had never really gotten to seriously into Ant's solo work though of course i respect that sense of class that both guitarists had; they never really spoke poorly of their time with the band. Anyway, "Tarka the Otter" was exactly what this listener had always hoped to hear in his music so i'm eager to see what "Bay of Kings" will bring. (While simultaneously trying not to set my expectations too high.. ;-) Again, i greatly appreciate your recommendations.

[@damiensuil2183]

such an inventive soul and fantastic composer/guitarist;-vastly underated

[@wajobu]

Thanks for porting to youtube. Ant is such a nice gent with an incredible catalog of beautiful music--really funny guy too!

[@dutchcountryman1290]

He has a very quick mind, you can hear it in his conversation. I've always suspected he had the most natural musical talent of any of them, and the others would probably agree. As great as the other Genesis guys are, I don't see any of them qualifying as a classical instructor! His prolific solo catalog is a treasure. So many ideas. Such sheer beauty. And--this doesn't get mentioned much--he's an excellent lyricist as well.

[@user-jp5nc8zf7m]

I think Tony has said he was the 'most musical', and thats likely true, although Steve would be a pretty close second. Tony admits that he partly had to make up stuff to do because Phil and Mike both listed off what they were working on and he had nothing. But Phil is certainly a very musical person, so its certainly a tight race. Nobody goes through what they did without REALLY loving music.

[@transferdatathreewally24]

I so much enjoyed listening to early genesis as a youth in Scotland . Carefree days Very good interview. Thank you for sharing Iain w Glasgow d

[@gb5uq]

What a warm, colourful and wonderful character. Superb interview.

[@ThePhiltrenbath]

gb5uq He is indeed. I had fish and chips with Ant last Tuesday in Marylebone. After Genesis he was a guitar teacher to several young boys at a place called Peper Harow be Godalming. Some 40 yrs later he remains a warm and accessible friend to us.

[@geraldmellon740]

Great subject but equally great interviewer who doesn’t get in the way like lots of others do...

[@marypartridge5154]

Their music is very public school. It has a lot of fear and pain and repression. Its the English way to try and express themselves to overcome the restraints the English have in expressing their feelings. The feelings are repressed but when they are released they are huge.

[@MyNameIsBucket]

Why ask old musicians about still making music? They're still alive, aren't they? If I ever stopped hearing music in my head, I'd blow my brains out.

[@Ken5244]

If you enjoy Anthony's guitar playing in early Genesis, do yourself a favor and start collecting his solo albums. Start with The Geese and the Ghost and go from there. He is an exceptional guitarist and songwriter.

[@devinmcphee7633]

Hi there! What should I listen to after Geese and the ghost?

[@Ken5244]

@@devinmcphee7633 I'd get Private Parts & Pieces next. That was his third solo album and it's really good. I don't have his second album, Wise After the Event, so I can't comment on it. But I'd guess it's probably good. After that you can look up his discography on Wikipedia and read up on the albums & see which look the most appealing to you based on the style(s) of music you like (he's done a number of different styles over the years). I tend to like the more acoustic/folk-oriented albums myself.

[@youandwhosearmy6339]

@@Ken5244 Wise After The Event is my favourite. it is brilliant.

[@Ken5244]

@@youandwhosearmy6339 Thanks. It's definitely on my wish list.

[@jeffsimon9594]

@@youandwhosearmy6339 Agreed, though the closing track is monumentally depressing..

[@robdavidson1876]

Early Genesis with Gabriel was the stuff I loved and the guitar work at that time in particular!

[@dgcmusi]

Love his Keyboard work on Mike Rutherfords “ SmallCreeps” Day

[@jeffsimon9594]

The great lost Genesis album

[@dgcmusi]

@@jeffsimon9594 Totally agree Jeff.

[@life5161]

Anthony Phillips is the best thing I've found in a LONG time. I can't help but to think how even better Genesis would have been had he stayed.

[@youandwhosearmy6339]

I wish I could go back in time, back to the future style and keep Ant in Genesis. Love Hackett, don't get me wrong, but this guy is an incredible talent.

[@ALLANROCK]

I enjoyed this interview a lot.It provided me with great insight into the early days of Genesis and how they achieved they're soundThe stories of the early touring and recording years were revealed with great humor and intelligently articulated.I wish there was a movie made of all these great stories.Thanks for sharing. ar

[@douglasanderson8636]

I loved mike rutherford,s comment that boarding school prepared him for low level touring...tired, hungry and being treated like crap. Having been through both myself, he was absolutely right

[@cpmcguire]

i think that anthony phillips keeps the old music (like peter gabriel era) of genesis alive and his music is very eclectic

[@hootsmon]

Cheers Mark...Just watched again Genesis on Tresspass with comments from Anthony...We used to publish his work....Unless I am mistaking him for Morris Pert at this point in the day here in Tokyo...Hmmm.....Great interview,sir!

[@88sublunaire]

Un grand compositeur. Il a écrit de très belles pages de musique, il rayonne d'une simplicité qui dans sa musique n'est qu'une impression. Son jeu est élégant, émouvant et harmonique ment très abouté. Le son anglais...dans ce qui se fait de mieux.

[@breakfastplan4518]

Anthony is so nice.

[@jasons8756]

It drives me crazy that Anthony Phillips is almost never mentioned or thought of whenever Genesis fans of their early material beg, plead, wish, hope for a reunion. Phillips is a great talent and he is a founding member. I think it's shameful that any of us Genesis fans to forget about Anthony Phillips. There is no reason why a reunion with Gabriel, Collins, Rutherford, Banks, Hackett couldn't also include Phillips...if Phil could still drum and a reunion were to happen. Why not? And here is an idea. How about we forget a concert or a tour. How about if all 6 of them just get into the studio for a few years and write, compose, and record new material for a new album, not trying to recapture anything but just letting the creativity and originality flow naturally based on where they are now as artists and musicians.

[@JainaSil]

He's mentioned all the time!

Great interview!

[@allenclapp2515]

Thank you!

[@amirhamra]

fantastic ,what he said about the composer and the technician...

[@youandwhosearmy6339]

Such a cool guy.

[@amirhamra]

fantastic ,

[@miguele.antonetti9999]

Bravo!!

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

I also know someone with a bloody big house in Buxton. It's in Harpur hill, a beautiful area of Buxton Derbyshire, winters used to be bad there because it's in the Pennines

[@hybrydsanity5857]

Anthony looks like he could be Allan Holdsworth's bother ! , cool to hear the roots of the genesis story his perspective.

[@DaveGresalfi]

Great! thanks so much for this. But the title music at the end was so loud in headphones that it nearly broke my ears. Ouch!

[@cosmicdrifter287]

an ant"s life.thanks for posting this cherry red tv!

[@mikulasspal]

A genius

[@misterghee1]

Just a playalong ehj🎶👍

[@clontstable1]

I love Steve Hackett’s work, especially his solo efforts-great stuff, indeed, but I feel that he was always in Phillip’s shadow & never got the respect from Tony Banks that he should have.

[@michaelfraser5723]

Jonny King " Looking for Boys " 1979

[@AOrainbow]

I just try to understand, so my comments could be innapropriate. Its great interview for the first years of Genesis.I did not understand why Tony Banks could not play organs easily at this time , and i find the anecdotes about Peter Gabriel strange , in contradictions, listening very attentively others drummers in Charterhouse, but playing flute not in good tune just before gigs? Being very pratical and disconnect on stage?

[@dommccaffry3802]

RIP mike colman

[@Luileadolfo]

I am waiting for the day, he plays with Genesis again or record a album with Steve Hackett.

[@larrypeterson7992]

so sorry won't happen

[@59ladislas]

They actually recorded some tracks together (in Steve's albums and in 'Harmony for Elephants' kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3mwcqauiNGWpbc

[@thecannetwork7559]

My guess is California Dreaming by mamas and the papa

[@bigjohndavid1]

Silent Sun is great!

[@JohnDeMarchiGianni]

i wonder if genesis would of been successful if Ant Phillips stayed with the band!

[@jestes100]

"we all got 10 quid each I think"

[@finosuilleabhain7781]

"Luxury." :o)

[@user-jp5nc8zf7m]

What does he mean 'it hadn't bitten either". It was huge in BELGIUM. So they should have simply moved to Belgium. And sung and written in ....belgian? Is that a language? Sorry to the belgians. Its odd and interesting that Mr. Phillips can't remember how they made the decision to go on the road because ALL the other guys point the finger directly at him as being 'the guy' who wanted to go on the road, and loved being on stage. So is it self deprecating to try to evade the 'responsibility' or is it humbleness that doesn't want to say "yeah Genesis wouldn't exist now if it weren't for me".

[@michaelfraser5723]

" Couple of hooks " for't hoi polloi

[@michaelfraser5723]

but it seems like an interview with, or of, a prince, because these people are never just interviewed and never with frankness normally associated with lower celebs, guess they're coming out, before Goddess Google

[@caseyschrier1760]

J

[@damiensuil2183]

such an inventive soul and fantastic composer/guitarist;-vastly underated