Steve Hackett on Brand X and Percy Jones

In this short clip from the upcoming feature film about the British band Brand X, "Brand X: The Desert Years (2024), Ex-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett discusses his long-standing interest in the band, going back to the 1970s, as well as his fascination for Phil Collins's ability to blend-in with a variety of styles.
Hackett praises bassist Percy Jones and talks about working with him on Voyage of the Acolyte, his first solo album.

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

Percy Jones is amazing. How he isn't a household name is beyond me.

[@milo8796]

He is amongst those who know. Not the “normies.”

[@jonsmith848]

Was in my household...also when I moved to nyc... he was a neighbor 🎸🏠

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

@@milo8796 I've been listening to him since Another Green World. Amazing bassist.

[@61guitbox]

Percy Jones is one of the most talented bass players in the world ! 🫶🏻✌️

[@loucontino4804]

Brand X was always The Elite among Prog-Fuse aficionados. We all know Mahavishnu, Weather Report & Return To Forever for sure; but Brand X was right there as one of the Best there ever was.

[@percyvolnar8010]

I think you need to listen to more Canterbury prog. Surely, brand x was cool.. But...

[@michaelgrossman5913]

I was lucky to see Brand X with Phil in 1977 and Brand X again in the last stages of their existence. RIP John Goodsall

[@brandxbootlegs]

on the crystal palace?

[@darkhymnsfromthecoldnorth]

I could watch interviews with Steve all day. What a gentleman.

[@moneyconceptsinc.-karldoug9751]

Saw him recently on his 2024 tour in Dallas. Still amazing. I had seen Martin Barre the night before. Martin is one of my favorite guitarists, but I was extremely impressed with Steve's work. I had never seen him live before.

[@darkhymnsfromthecoldnorth]

@@moneyconceptsinc.-karldoug9751 That’s awesome, I want to see him someday. Would be the closest to seeing Genesis for me.

[@austenj4539]

Generation X failed to appreciate Brand X. Brand X wasn't a one album band - they had album after album of amazing, musical progression with top rank musical composers and performers. Inspirational and world class.

[@Dafalex22]

Thank you "CAPTAIN OBVIOUS"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!♠

[@Steve-mp7by]

Their albums sold poorly but they were mostly purchased by Gen X musicians. I bought them all. The problem is they were mislabeled as Jazz/Rock and they were Progressive Rock. There wasn't anything jazzy in the music. The label Jazz turned off all the record buyers

[@davidmorgan6896]

​@@Steve-mp7byI remember reading that Collins described B-X as the best jazz fusion band after Weather Report. This was a period when The Mahavishnu Orchestra were headlining big festivals, so I don't think 'jazz' was putting people off. Punk might have killed the golden goose though.

[@nectarinedreams7208]

@@Steve-mp7by Nothing jazzy about Brand X. Haha. Thanks for the laugh. I didn't need it, but am thankful for it nonetheless.

[@Steve-mp7by]

@@nectarinedreams7208 The stuff Miles didn't wasn't Jazz either

[@jorgedaher3992]

Been a fan of Brand X since 1976 and will be for the rest of my life, timeless music. Can't wait to see the the film!

[@gorillaproductionslondon]

It's been long in coming but it will all be worth the wait. I promise!

[@drawvk3]

Percy Jones is on of the greats in the world of bass. That's what i thouhgt the first time i listened to Brand X. Love your sound man!

[@williamweiss6128]

Brand X made a mark on my soul. Played drums for 50 years so far. Love them, still.

[@jimdolen225]

I had the good fortune of sitting stage side in front of Phil when he toured with Brand X and it is a concert I will never forget. Percy Jones is on my Mt. Rushmore of Bass players all time.

[@MrArqferri]

What a great person and very very kind musician is Steve Hackett, in my country we say "A well born man". Thanks for include this interview in the story of BRAND X docu. Best wishes from Argentina

[@frankmurphyburr3598]

Steve loves Phil deeply, it always shows in interviews

[@bigvrocks2480]

Steve is so humble. His work with Genesis is excellent and his solo lp's get better with age!

[@mikedown1250]

You gotta love Steve. Such a lovely guy reminds me of Allan H

[@DanielFCutter]

I heard Nuclear Burn at a laser show at DeAnza College in San Jose area in the early eighties and a whole new world of music opened up for me. I still listen to Brand X 40 years later on a regular bases. I spread the gospel as much as I could but was largely alone in the fusion desert. I derived immense pleasure from those disks of vinyl.

[@68ctcb]

Given the class of Brand X and the outstanding talents of its individual members, it surprises me that they get barely mentioned. Phil has very little to say in his autobiography. Steve’s generous words here are about the most I’ve heard. And very good to see.

[@inglepropnoosegarm7801]

There was such an amazing amount of talent in the Genesis family. Including the 'part-time' members Daryl and Chester. Every one of them in it for the music, not for fame, fortune or acclaim. I doubt we'll see bands like them again.

[@stephenbarrette610]

Wow, really looking forward to seeing this movie. I was already a bit of a jazz / fusion fan (and huge prog rock fan) when a mate played me Unorthodox Behaviour. Instant fan of Brand X and was lucky to see them live several times in the 70’s - incredibly talented musicians and such great music. We really were so lucky to have such diversity of musical genres in the 70’s.

[@kingberzerk]

Can't wait for the feature film!

[@paulflynn6169]

The generosity of spirit from this man...

[@jamestejada3673]

Screw their most recent ex management.

[@sancho8521]

...I shook Steve's hand after a Defector concert at the Hammersmith Odeon, 4 Dec '80 Asked me what a yank was doing in the U. K. on Independence Day! I was stationed there but said I was there to see you, Steve. Smallest hands I ever saw : ) Also saw Brand X at the Venue. Awesome times in Great Britain 🎉

[@sancho8521]

4 Jul 1980 😊

[@garypowell1540]

The only guy who underrates Steve Hackett is Steve Hackett. I am not a lover of Jazz or Jazz Rock but there was always something about Brand X which was more than just mindlessly self-indulgent improvisation. There was an unmistakable form to their music, a beginning a middle, and an end. The band made the journey interesting, and progressively exciting and took you somewhere worth going like very few Jazz Rock bands.

[@LuthierChris]

I totally agree with your first sentence. however you must have missed the enormous number of other jazz rock albums which do exactly as you say, have form and true composition and a beginning, a middle and an end to each track. I'm coming from the opposite end though as I would take jazz rock and fusion over progressive rock every day of the week, but Brand X were the gateway band for me to then discover so many other amazing bands in that territory. I guess it depends on what you call jazz rock - but Return to Forever, Area and Mahavishnu must have been an influence on Brand X, and a bit later on came amazing bands like Bruford, Kenso and later still Deus Ex Machina and Monobody are two of my 21st century favourites. Do you not like Canterbury bands like Soft Machine, National Health etc?

[@garypowell1540]

@@LuthierChris Big fan of Gong, Camel, Caravan, Soft Machine, and National Health. Yes, it does depend on what one calls Jazz. I personally define Jazz, as mindlessly self-indulgent improvisation. Therefore, if it is not mindlessly self-indulgent improvisation, then it is not jazz as far as I am concerned.

[@LuthierChris]

@@garypowell1540 This is the trouble with genre descriptions. There are many bands that get pigeon holed into a genre they don't really fully fit. One could argue forever about who goes where! I try to keep it simple and just say there's good music, boring music and bad music! I mean if you're talking Miles Davis Bitches Brew then I'm with you all the way, I find it un-listenable!

[@peterf4552]

I love that the backing track on this video is "Malaga Virgen," which is probably my all time favorite Brand X song. I still have my vinyl copy of Moroccan Roll that I picked up in 1980, and I've been hooked ever since.

[@Bitterblogger]

That was the first X album I heard-whoa! And Phil Collins is on it?! Sign me up! So glad I got to see them live in the ‘90’s.

[@Deebz270]

Absolute gentleman! And Brand-X ... What can I say, other than one of my top fav bands and Percy Jones IS my top FB player of all time. Superb band, home-turf boys for me too!

[@Locomamonk]

It's so thrilling listening to Hackett talk about his experiences with music, always great to listen to, thanks for the upload!

[@batphink2655]

In rock there don;t seem to be many 'gentlemen' but Steve is about as gracious yet down to Earth as they come and doesn't seem to quite realize how amazing or profound he is, class act!

[@godbluffvdgg]

Wow, Steve giving props to Goodsall, and saying he's faster! Quite a compliment... Phils albums with brand X.; Moroccan Roll, Unorthodox Behavior, Product. 40 plus years of loving their work...Saw them in 2018 with Kenwood Dennard on drums but; so happy to see Goodsall and Percy... They did the whole Xtrax album...Plus...Seeing And So to F and Collapsar along with Nuclear Burn and Nightmare Patrol and Malaga Virgen was worth the trip! Genesis With Hackett and Gabriel is the best Genesis...

[@Deebz270]

What about 'Do They Hurt' ? Equally as good as 'Moroccan Roll' and 'Product'... Containing one of JG's best guitar solos ever on 'Cambodia'...

[@godbluffvdgg]

@@Deebz270 I won't argue opinion...I love Do they hurt as well, but; Product is Brand x's Magnum opus.

[@sancho8521]

​@@godbluffvdgg... Livestock is by far THE Brand X album 🎉

[@deanzaZZR]

My first live concert experience was as a 16 year old in a small club in San Francisco with Brand X. Quite the introduction to live music I must say. Don't make waves.....🎶

[@vitmedia]

Excellent! Looking forward to the film.

[@davidporshia5081]

What film? Are they doing a documentary about Brand X? Hope so!! World class players!!!

[@vitmedia]

@@davidporshia5081 it mentions an upcoming feature film in the description 🙂

[@gorillaproductionslondon]

@@davidporshia5081 Yes. A full length feature is in production with hard to imagine content and new performances by the old lineup (minus Collins). Lots of surprises! It's in post production now. No release date yet.

[@pippinpavus2497]

​@@gorillaproductionslondonis it still planned to come out this year though. If not: no worries, take your time. I will watch no matter what.

[@fusionfan6883]

Can't wait for this film, been a fan since 76!

[@RiquezaEmGotas]

Goodsall had machine gun like speed and also worked with a lot of arpeggiation which became his trademark style years later. Hackett developed 2 hand tapping, is a top level classical guitarist and a excellent electric guitarist with a very distinctive style, His harmonic choices are a hauntingly beautiful, look a the chords that he uses, surely not your garden variety type of chord. His compositions are most of the time very interesting and encompass a wide array of styles, from classical to world music, Jazz, Prog Rock, Asian and what have you. He never ceases to amaze me and got better and better over time, that is the mark of someone who loves his craft. Well done Steve, keep up the good work.

[@TheBoffomundoShow]

Sylvain! Brilliant bit. Looks great as well with Steve's classical guitar in the background.

[@gorillaproductionslondon]

Cheers. Before we started, he played for us -- a classical improvisation that lasted about 10 minutes... I will use some of it in his introduction. He was testing a new tuning. He was generous with his time. We rolled for about 3 hours -- there's enough material to do a whole piece about Steve Hackett's own "desert years". Maybe I will someday... In our film, he also reveals some rather honest insights into what he really thinks of other Genesis members and what it would have required for him to wish to stay in the band. Spoiler: the differences weren't so much "musical" as matters of kindness and compassion. Steve is a great guy. He has always been. Jo joined in and offered her perspective on what made their recent success possible... I can't use all of this in the Brand X film, but I can find a way, at some point, to do something about Steve. I have an idea which I mentioned to him. Jo was all for it. :)

[@hermanhelmich]

Aaaaa Sir Percy as I like to call him. Love his playing

[@davidporshia5081]

Love Brand X!!! Great to hear Steve talk about them.

[@fernandoroza6061]

Percy Jones was A innovator on Bass . Period

[@Deebz270]

He still is, as far as I know...

[@vimfuego8827]

I had never heard a bass player like Percy Jones before, this assertion was based on listening to Brand X 'Moroccan Roll'. I had listened to Jacko Pastorious on other recordings but I could not see why Percy Jones was linked to the latter. Jones just did not sound like any other bass musician. The problem with Jones was he would not compromise and Brand X was his uncompromising musical outlet !

[@robertfranklin8704]

Steve Hackett= brilliant muso, and a true gentleman 😊. And, yes, Phil Collins is special, too.

[@dolcevitarome6536]

Great work Sylvain

[@davebellamy4867]

Intetesting. Only a day ago or so I watched Phil with John Goodsall interviewed in 1979 in the States and Phil said that he really would liked to work with Eno but he hadn't crossed paths with him for quite a while.

[@tonyrapa-tonyrapa]

Don't do yourself down, Steve. You were and still are a fine guitarist. And as for Percy Jones? Shamefully underrated - such a unique sound and a wonderful virtuoso.

[@reidwhitton6248]

Percy is not underrated. He's held in very high esteem. If Brand X had been an American group, they most likely would have received a lot more press and attention.

[@macsnafu]

I don't think very many people knew what to think about Brand X. They almost never did what you expected them to do. I picked up Moroccan Roll when I was in college, and what a roller coaster ride it is! No matter where you were, they never failed to take you somewhere else that was completely different.

[@Steve-mp7by]

It was Progressive Rock

[@macsnafu]

@@Steve-mp7by Not really, or rather only partially. If anything, I'd think it's more like jazz fusion, heavy on the "fusion", with worldbeat, electronica and a few other things mixed in.

[@danielwang7793]

​@@Steve-mp7byDefinitely jazz fusion. Very different from the stuff Phil was doing in Genesis.

[@Steve-mp7by]

@@macsnafu Nope there was nothing jazzy in the music

[@Fibonacci64]

I remember buying “Unorthodox Behavior” when I was just 12 and was a bit afraid listening to it. So difficult. Virtuoso musicians. But when you got into it ... I think Phil has said that at this point his drumming was at the absolut height. And he’s right, I guess. Amazing.

[@moontan91]

Percy Jones was/is one of the best bass player, probably my favorite.

[@robinwatson4282]

Excellent document. Truly.

[@hauskahirvi]

Excellent clip and great insight from Steve.

[@rk41gator]

I love Brand X. It is good to hear Steve went to hear them fairly often. Such great musicians, but then we would expect Phil to associate with the best. Zeppelin meets King Crimson is an inspired idea. It is always good to hear from Mr. Hackett.

[@JohnFiocchi]

Growing up in the U.S. and collecting Genesis albums and imagine my suprise when suddenly UNORTHODOX BEHAVIOR was released and Phil Collins was playing drums😮....I'll never forget the excitement of that! Being a teenager and buying that album the first time it was released. VOYAGE OF THE ACOLYTE as well. I bought that LP from a DJ right at the radio station. Staying up all night and listening to those albums . It was a magical time! 😊

[@cscavellorsi6454]

Magical times indeed. I experienced my first concert in The Tower Theater, Philly.. March 2nd , 1974 GENESIS with the whole entourage of band members

[@JohnFiocchi]

@@cscavellorsi6454 That's amazing!! I saw Genesis on the Wind And Wuthering tour. It was at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. It was excellent!! I also saw PFM at the Spectrum, but I can't recall who they opened for. They were second on the bill. Perhaps they opened for Ten Years After idk?

[@cscavellorsi6454]

I, then eventually. Saw Peter Gabriel on his solo tours many times as late as 3~4 weeks ago in The Wells Fargo. I did see Genesis in The Tower with the Trick of The Tail Show. [1976]. You mentioned PFM. I don't know that band but could you have meant FM.? Best song was Phasors On Stun. FM open up for Aerosmith in the Spectrum. I'm guessing 1978ish. I live outside Valley Forge Park. Where you from.?@@JohnFiocchi

[@JohnFiocchi]

@cscavellorsi6454 PFM were a Progressive Rock band from Italy in the 70s. I'm from South Jersey, but spent a lot of time in Pennsylvania.

[@cscavellorsi6454]

Thanks for your response, John. Can't say I heard of PFM but will check it out. We may have crossed paths in our younger days. Ocean City was our go to place visiting all the Rock clubs like Mothers, Dunes till Dawn, Bayshores, Tony Marts. I ran Sound for a band from 79 till 84 in PA@@JohnFiocchi

[@phenixreturns]

running on three is one of the best sound on drums especially with Phil and his intro

[@mrmusic248]

Put this film out, YESTERDAY !!!!😄 The mark of a really good band is to enjoy success with just word-of-mouth advertising. Their were NEVER any huge promo campaigns for these guys. The MUSIC, along with people spreading the word, was their advertising. RIP, John & Robin.

[@gorillaproductionslondon]

I understand the frustration from fans who feel impatient but believe me, making this film is taking everything I've got. People who aren't in the business of making movies have no concept of how expensive it is to pay a full crew, insurance, travels, hotels, equipment rentals, broadcast rights, etc., all the while having no film studio, or distribution structure footing the bill. It's unimaginably difficult. On the other hand, even if I have felt the pain of lack of money, and two years of interruption during the Covid crisis, I have to admit that time has been my best ally. While time passed, we were able to record new music with Percy, John, Robin, Kenwood, Jack(Lancaster), Danny (Wilding), and we found tapes of never before heard Brand X's first recordings at Island Records. Finally, we were able to document the sunset of the band in depth. There's no way such a film could have been made well in a few months. When it does come out, it will all be worth it because it will be a full account of the band's history in the musicians' own words. Just remember: money is the key. If people could come up with 10K donations for every instance of frustration they feel, we'd be in better shape. ;)

[@ericaward702]

The greatest ever🙏❤️🙏 Dear John Goodsall Rest In Peace 😔

[@jonsmith848]

Fortunate to see Brand X in late 70's...also Percy Jones play a solo show @ CBGB'S...80's NYC

[@evanjazzista]

Excellent video, way too short but very good!

[@buffplums]

Love Steve Hackett

[@greggruntler1355]

Brand X - One of the greatest bands to ever grace this planet. Rip Goods! And Percy...., like Jaco, was lucky enough to be born with a mind that can musically construct in such a unique way. Others may copy and emulate but its very rare that one gets to pioneer such an enigmatic style.

[@slackdude1]

They were all superb players. It does take more sometimes. Eno managed to get all the freaks together. Must listen to some Robin Lumley solo stuff again. Where’s my pipe

[@alessandrorossini8704]

Discussing mr. Hackett's musical views is a very, very, very slippery trail to walk... but I'll try to say something with a sense. I do love a lot both Percy and Jaco, I much agree that Percy deserves a lot more recognition for his hugely innovative work on bass but... the two gents had very different backgrounds, both seminal innovators in their own means, two distinct sounds and a fairly different approach to harmonic interpretation, but being Jaco also a great composer, not only a spectacular and innovative bassist. I don't intend to compare them, given the basic fact that you can't compare apples to oranges, or give the gold medal to one and the silver to the other, I just feel it this way, with all my love and respect for both. And I apologize if my words may sound stoopid and/or useless. And obviously my admiration for Steve Hackett is huge. ❤

[@marcobussola951]

Ti voglio tanto bene Steve.

[@misterghee1]

That's it A true fan speaking forever the happiest musician with such a jamMembers thank m All😅🎉🎉🎉🎉❤🎉🎉

[@jimhart1959]

John Goodsall was not better than Steve Hackett, just different. John's playing with Brand X was absolutely incredible, and to this day his work still amazes me. But Steve has such a beautiful voice and he has influenced so very many players, myself included. Both of them have inspired us in different ways.

[@stuartwaby3081]

Absolutely spot on, couldn't agree with you more.

[@danburnes722]

It is funny how Phil has been interviewed holding a grudge against Steve both professionally and personally. He said Steve’s playing was too stiff and was too much a disciple of Fripp. Not sure why Phil feels that way, maybe jealous in some way, not sure.

[@stevecarter8810]

Phil's a massive perfectionist. Watch him laying down vocals, he seems to hate everything he produces despite its obvious accomplishment. His own Jungian drivers are the fire behind his success

[@lucasholmgrenmusic]

Hacketts playing is pretty stiff and linear, I enjoy it but he's not what some people would define as "soulful" (although I don't like the idea that you have to be bluesy to be soulful)

[@stuartwaby3081]

Er, Phil's not the best critique, best Drummer ever without a doubt but oh my goodness he's made some massive mistakes over his choices both Musically and personally, look at the state of his health and then compare with Steve who is older! Steve just gets better while Phil can't even speak clearly let alone sing or hold a Drumstick, sadly he chose the commercially easy road whilst Steve carried on down the artistic route and continues innovativating to this very day ❤ One week to Steve's latest release Foxtrot at Fifty, can hardly wait 🤗...

[@stefanlivesey8068]

Ludicrous commenr. Phil wasn't being crirical; he was telling the truth. And what on earth would he have to be jealous of?

[@stefanlivesey8068]

Steve just keeps innovating...by performing fifty year old music from a band he was in briefly 🤣🤣🤣

[@fmradio42]

Cool video. love-em all.

[@StratsRUs]

Great speaking voice too.

[@romaneberle]

wow, great stuff :-)

[@percyvolnar8010]

I hope Alphonso Johnson gets mentioned in this because all of the Canterbury fretless bass players knew who he was. I think he was more loved over there than in the U.S

[@xtstevie]

Steve is way way too modest here with him being up there with the greatest guitarists ever..... Brand X would have suited him down to a tee with his dreamy guitar! Now that would have been something eh.

[@Deebz270]

Steve's guitar playing would not have fitted well with Brand-X's musical direction. John Goodsall (and others) fullfilled their duties with Brand-X - consummately. As did SH with Genesis.

[@garymey4314]

Time for a Brand X boxset with 5.1 mixes!!

[@jefferyroy2566]

The most interesting aspect of Hackett's career was his refusal/inability to embrace any regret over leaving Genesis. No looking back in anger over what might have been for him, financially speaking. He's done well for himself by not looking past his fans from 50 years ago. Guess I'm talking about me, but there must be those out there who feel the same. Likewise, Steve's comment about John Goodsall kinda fills me with regret, because Brand X was never more than a niche prog group. That core of Jones, Goodsall and Lumley was astounding in both the technical and composition areas. Then, they'd find a drummer nearly the equal of Phil Collins to carry on, e.g., Kenwood Dennard, Chuck Burgi, Mike Clark, etc. I'll close with the usual, "Oh, how great the music was back then." Of course, nothing lasts forever, or was meant to.

[@phenixreturns]

Steve is humble but he is the best : classical guitar, fast licks, sustainer, what else ? tapping which inspired EVH what else lol great impro player complicated licks

[@johnhensman4787]

..."like working in the civil service"...brilliant😀

[@robertsimpson9403]

More-rock-an-roll

[@RiquezaEmGotas]

Brand X should be much more successful than it was, however, if you are not familiar with their sound, it takes some time for their music to sink in and the original band ended way too soon before it had a chance to get well known worldwide. Although Goodsall and Jones revived Brand X in the 90s it was not exactly the same feel and sound they had going in the 70s. Phil Collins had a pivotal role in bringing attention to Brand X in the late 70s but he was overwhelmed by his duties as a Genesis singer/drummer/composer and on top of that he was about to begin his solo career so Brand X got relegated to last position in importance, in the end, it's always the weakest link that gets broken.

[@phenixreturns]

The only one who stayed in 100% prog it's a fact and his choice

[@nicholashnatyk4470]

Duh, I'm missing an opportunity - what was I thinking? If you like progressive +/or fusion, check out Greg Howe, Scott Henderson & Tribal Tech, Andy Timmons from TX, Alex Sill, Victor Wooten, and Simon Phillips' Protocol - check out their '17 CD Protocol 4 first. There's also a keyboard cat (Valeriye?) from Moscow who does some pretty good live classic-style fusion videos. Keep the fu-faith & spread the word against musical BANALITY, HA!!!

[@nicholashnatyk4470]

The REAL problem, always, has been the music industry itself AND most of the lackey "writer/reviewers" in the press-media. By and large, many of them disliked progressive and jazz/fusion because they were difficult to easily categorize and review - it took a certain amount of musical perspicacity and insight which many of them sorely lacked, making too many predisposed to being nastily dismissive in their reviews, often resorting to journalistic cliches such as 'bombastic' or 'pretentious', etc. Ultimately, especially w/the Brit press, they had WAY too much power and influence over what got played on radio, who got signed to record contracts, etc. Here in the US, the record companies virtually controlled the radio content and EVERYthing was geared to manufacturing 'stars', hits, and/or 24-7 hyping up of mass market megatrends such as moronic disco. Thank god for the alternative press and college DJs, or I likely never would've heard of Brand X, Ultravox 1, Isotope, Visage, Ian Dury, John Foxx, Bruford/UK, etc. Even with today's Net it's actually more difficult now to even know when a band might be touring & playing locally let alone out with a new album. It's become a constant search-struggle to find relevant info for what relatively little is left of good music. E.g., I only discovered that Simon Phillips' Protocol was playing an obscure venue in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 2018 because a drum store I happened to drive by while heading from Mass. to Maine had a message on its billboard for his player's instructional clinic. I ended up meeting him (he's surprisingly tiny for such powerful sound, ha) & getting his autographed CD. Talk about esoteric luck - I would've missed it (and only around a hundred people showed up to see one of the greatest drummers in the world play). Meanwhile, hype-manufactured 'stars' like Taylor Swift sell out stadiums to the sum of a billion dollars. It just AIN'T RIGHT!!!!!! How about some looong overdue FAIRNESS, CONSIDERATION, and BALANCE for actual ADULT intelligent instrumental music & we fans, ya know?? Rant off. 😊 RIP to one of the few truly innovative & BEST bassists EVER.

[@potto5212]

Gran idea

[@davidporshia5081]

Love Brand X!!! Great to hear Steve Hackett talk about them!! Also very much love woodwind player Jack Lancaster and keyboardist Robin Lumley’s 1976 album “Marscape”. It’s what became Brand X. Along with Jack Lancaster, and Robin Lumley there was John Goodsall-guitar, Phil Collins-drum kit/percussion, Percy Jones-Fretless bass, Morris Pert-percussion, Bernie Frost-voice. I discovered Marscape in the record library of my old college radio station in ‘76. I played it on the air quite frequently along with the subsequent Brand X releases “Unorthodox Behavior”, “Moroccan Roll”, “Livestock”, “Masques” and “Product”. Great music!!! Brand X and Marscape album cuts were always played on my college mid-late 70’s radio show I broadcast on Friday nights alongside…..Genesis, ELP, Jethro Tull, Yes, Gentle Giant, King Crimson, Pink Floyd, UK, The Dixie Dregs, Nova, Bruford, Steve Hackett, Jeff Beck, Frank Zappa, Spike Jones, Billy Cobham, Gong, Focus, Strawbs, Anthony Phillips, Steely Dan, PFM, Renaissance, Kate Bush, Soft Machine, Alan Parsons, Mike Rutherford, Return to Forever, Weather Report, Klaus Doldinger & Passport, Larry Coryell and the 11th House, Mahavishnu Orchestra, The Flock, Chicago, B,S& T, Chase, Earth, Wind & Fire, Al Jarreau, Gino Vannelli, Buddy Rich, Pat Metheny Group….Monty Python and the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band…WHEW!!!….ALL those great bands, artists and more. Yes….Brand X was on heavy rotation in “them thar days”. A Great Great time for music! I was listening to the remaster of “Marscape” the other night. Superb music and players.

[@mdrouin4885]

Not many people know about Jack Lancaster. Must have for any Brand X fan

[@metaprogram9841]

@@mdrouin4885 Jack Lancaster is a major feature in the film about Brand X. John Goodsall, who was himself confused about the timing of those early recordings credited Lancaster and Lumley, with their Marscape album, as having created "the first Brand X album" (of course he was wrong, as two other albums were recorded as Brand X, prior to Marscape, bu tit's interesting that he remembered it that way). In the film, people will finally get to hear the first Brand X jams, which were recorded at Island Records but never released for reasons that will be explained and that connect to the string of problems which Brand X would experience in later years. The movie was not planned that way but in the end, it will turn out to feature the last recordings by Brand X and it will reunite the band in as much as possible with a surprise performance. Fans should be happy, hopefully.

[@jugodejazz]

Completely agree. And Camel!🙏

[@michaelgrossman5913]

Jack Lancaster was a member of Blodwyn Pig. Check them out!

[@nicholashnatyk4470]

Thanks for the history info- this is the first I'm hearing about Lancaster & 'Marscape'. Have to check it out. Here in the States, Robin's sister Joanna was more widely known for 'Absolutely Fabulous' & the 'New Avengers', & more recently 'The Wolf of Wall St.', lol. Dave, your college DJ playlist sounds a lot like mine was. Usually, all I'd get was an occasional call from a drunken frat boy wanting to hear Black Sabbath or Tull. But one night, I played ChickCorea/Return to Forever's Romantic Warrior & Weather Report's Black Market, both just released, bk to bk & without interruption. I got a call after from a guy thanking me as he didn't really care as much for Weather Rpt's LP (I agreed), which saved a few bucks for him. That made it, & my 40 mile round trip just to do the show, all worthwhile.

[@panacea60]

JACO AND PERCY THE BEST BASS POSSIBLE NONE BETTER…………

[@bhwhendriks6989]

Possibilities of collaboration between hackett and Jones? Jockett? 😅

[@brucemendelson8306]

Goodsall is NOT better than you, Steve. He may play faster, but your guitar lines are absolutely beautiful.

[@jukesjointOG]

Yup. For my money, Percy Jones #1, Jaco #2…

[@leggboots1742]

ENO = mc²

[@kriskirk4505]

Nobody goes to sweden!

[@bakeone4406]

Side by side, I'd generally pick Percy Jones as more inventive and interesting than Jaco.

[@johncat8347]

The reason why Percy Jones is not famous is because Jaco pastorius was alive at the same time

[@gorillaproductionslondon]

It's more complicated than that. The reason why Percy is not as famous is that he didn't work for such high profile acts as Weather Report and Joni Mitchell, and others. Jaco was also quite a showman, fanciful and quite a ham when it came to showing off with solos, etc... whereas Percy Jones is understated, discreet and most definitely not a self-promoter. Also, the comparisons to Jaco Pastorius are generally the result of equivalencies made by non-musicians or people who don't really understand what they're hearing. For example, musicians in the UK knew about Percy before Jaco came into prominence and they understand that he wasn't at all influenced by him; they just both happened to play fretless bass and both began within a few years of each other, but their path never crossed. As Hackett points out in the video, Percy was trailblazing on his own and deserves full credit for his innovation. But American musicians were generally part of a promotion machine that was far move effective than British musicians. Brand X was just not as famous a band as Weather Report and just didn't play to such large audiences throughout the '70s. Percy has appeared on a lot of obscure, experimental albums largely because it is in his nature to pursue material that isn't concerned with popularity.

[@fabriziocamisani5477]

I wish he would stop complaining every chance he gets about not having had enough room to ''breathe'' within Genesis, he surely has a point but it's been a bloody while and he is still out there playing Genesis music because, his solo music simply won't put bums on the seats. Some degree of coherence would be appreciated.

[@stevenaustin8274]

Well it maybe due to fact he is talking about Phil with Brand x which was about that particular time ! I’m sure he would still fill auditoriums even without doing the Genesis music but Im glad he does because Genesis themselves stopped playing the classic material years ago from that particular era apart from possibly a medley of the Cage ! so otherwise the only chance we’d have of hearing songs played live from nursery crime foxtrot and selling England would be by dodgy tribute bands

[@canturgan]

Percy Jones was good, quite rhthmic. Jaco was more melodic.

[@erikboreel]

Damn i said something about that with Percy as innovator and again and again lost the comments you're useless.

[@CaptainBlood2010]

I stole lots of ideas from Percy.

[@wholeworld399]

ENO = mc²