Steve Hackett talks about Darktown

[@pierrecarles2390]

It is amazing to realise how many of Britain's seminal rock musicians of the 60-80 era were "musically" born out of their frustration towards the unbearable physical and mental violence of British schools back then. Of course I feel happy that these artists exist and brought what they did to the world. We are all the better for it. But at what cost ? As an educator myself, I cannot help but shiver at the thought of the many children who were harassed by the institution, and yet did not have the talent or the luck to sublimate their suffering into works of art. There is no genuine education without love.

[@johnvaluk1401]

Thanks for another visit. Been a bit. Glad to see and hear more about your music. Thank you again Mr Hackett!

[@garymonteleone1731]

Steve !! Welcome back, we missed you !!! Great song and back story....can’t wait for all to be normal again so you can get back on the road, we miss you there too ! You and Jo be well....

[@ismaelalcazar2758]

A Great Song, Thanks Steve!!!!!

[@microphone8086]

First time I heard this I was mesmerized. The horns in this are wonderful and haunting.

[@dermashy]

Hi Steve , good to see you again. 🙏🏻

[@The_Rockin_Prof]

I wrote a song about my principal from elementary school, Jim Jones -- not that one. But he once paddled me in first grade because a bigger boy pushed me down during the Pledge of Allegiance. We both got it for being "disrespectful to the flag." I can still remember being forced to admit to a falsehood. The song I wrote 35 years later was called "Corporal Punishment," and it had a loud bass line. Rumor has it a ping-pong paddle was used for percussion in the studio. My voice sounded a lot like John Wetton in those days!

[@EixtremeDrummer]

I always loved Jane Austen's Door so much!

[@crispyrobot77]

In my school it was rumored that they cooked and ate children in the basement. A silly idea as it turns out because they ate the children in the attic. Welcome back Steve.

[@jbytuna]

Yes, this a wonderfully dark song. Well done. I love this album, and it is a great anchor for this album. Angry is a great adjective for this song.

[@raymondvaughan6262]

Great album steve like Jane Austin door one off the best tracks with the tracking of the guitars lovely sound and days of long ago rip Jim diamond

[@HarveyHirdHarmonics]

I discovered you when this was new. After introducing myself with the Gabriel/Hackett era Genesis. I could find this CD in the music section of the department store and of course took it home with me.

[@TheLexluthier]

I really enjoyed the dark vibe of this album.

[@arthurmee]

I count myself very fortunate as far as school is concerned despite the fact that most of the staff were themselves brought up by British Victorian parents and all the "joys' that must have brought them my experience was almost all positive. I am thankful. I still picked up a guitar though and was encouraged. So awful to hear about your experience Steve.

[@aviduser1961]

Darktown is thick with atmosphere. One of my favorite SH albums. I think I'll listen to it in the car today.

[@AndyPhillipRaphaelHatchett]

Love and best wishes to you and Jo stay safe and well 🙏❤️

[@AndyPhillipRaphaelHatchett]

Yey Hi Steve great album of dark delights

[@cakemartyr5794]

Interesting to hear about your repressive school experiences. My primary was a bit like that, but my secondary comprehensive school really was "the happiest days of our lives" to quote another artist.

[@alessandroseravalle3807]

Amazing!

[@pz1792]

for me always reminds Gotham city. I like the version from Guitar Wars very much

[@jpupkis59]

Brilliant as usual 👌

[@aren2822]

😷 hi Steve, thanks for share 🇮🇹

[@geoffclements269]

Hi Steve, doubt my school was like yours but it was still hateful in every way (1960s and 70s). I'm going to listen to Darktown with a new interest now!

[@gualven1]

Hello Steve, hope to see you soon

[@jamescastelli]

Dear Steve - I seem to recall you making a comment after Genesis had just released a "darker" album called Calling All Stations that what you've offered is more accurately dark, and I would agree. Or was it what Peter Gabriel said after he released UP? I forget, as it seems those most capable of capturing the darkness left the band one by one. Phil could occasionally muster darkness such as in Mama but that is the exception to the rule. Also, I never liked school either, but it was never the chamber of horrors I hear conveyed by the English. How is it there isn't an entire generation in therapy or on medication? (Or ARE they?....)

[@jean-francoispayette92]

génial ....

[@davidvaness5081]

I got the board of education a few times myself

[@ashieuk]

Like the anger, Steve.

[@Bought_by_the_blood]

I got spanked while at infants school in front of the school assembly. The perpetrator was an evil headmistress who was heavily overweight and sadistic. Thankfully school improved in the secondary school years. By the way I like that piece of music.

[@davidleewrath6919]

She's probably dead.

[@Bought_by_the_blood]

Jack Deveini long since gone I’m sure..

[@gpk9993]

omg...steve said the f word....heaven forbid...LOL

[@AndyPhillipRaphaelHatchett]

Ruler across the knuckles days lol

[@MartinEdwards26]

Hope your school was better than mine? Sadly not Steve sadly not. Maybe that's why I became a guitarist as well.

[@ronjm945]

Not so much..