Tony Banks describes writing Supper's Ready

[@knowur10sand18s]

Tony Banks has always been the heart and soul of Genesis,to this day none of the band members dispute that he has been the musical force behind the band... he is a true musical genius,there will never be another like him.

[@EixtremeDrummer]

He could write dramatic, happy, worried passages, everything the band needed. One of the biggest masters of our time.

[@kingcrimson234]

Brilliant songwriter right here. He never played fast as Wakeman or Emerson could. He could still play very fast when he wanted to, but he was about the composition rather than the wanking. That makes him stand apart from most of the other prog keyboard giants. Banks composed circles around ANYBODY else. He really was just that, a real composer. I'd go as far as to say a modern-day Beethoven or Mozart.

[@SuperGroovy23]

kingcrimson234 Couldn't agree more!

[@brianshaffneraclc]

kingcrimson234 Nobody in Genesis was a speed freak player. They could all play fast enough, to keep things exciting --- but, as you point out, the composition was king. And it did make them different than some of the competition. In general, I don't normally care for keyboard heavy music --- but Genesis was always a big exception. And that was absolutely because of Tony's skill as a writer, composer, and player.

[@artemesaulkov2010]

No disrespect to Banks (he's a genius) but modern day Mozart is Keith Emerson

[@gmmakesmehurl]

Hmm. I disagree. Tony is/was every bit is quick as Wakeman. Thing about Tony, though, is his compositional genius. Wakeman nor Emerson could even touch that. Guy's a fucking melody monster.

[@harryselwind]

@@artemesaulkov2010 No disrespect but there is no modern day Mozart.

[@brammurti]

This is one of the highest masterpiece in music ever written. What a great songwriters all 5 of 'em.

[@nor499]

So so so true!

[@groverbaker6404]

After the Beatles.. genesis is the greatest band, musicians and songwriters in musical history!!!

[@bigjapi1]

@@groverbaker6404 After ? lol

[@indy_go_blue6048]

A story I told elsewhere. I'd just gotten married when I purchased this LP and was listening to "Supper's Ready" for the first time. My beautiful young wife came in and said "Supper's Ready." I said yes, assuming she'd heard it on the radio or other place elsewhere as it was a 12 year old album. 5 minutes later she comes in again and says "Supper's Ready." Again I said yes, it's "Supper's Ready." She came up and lifted my face, and as I looked into those beautiful blue eyes she said, "no... YOUR supper is ready." Since then I've always tied this song and that moment together as a wonderful memory.

[@martinadolfodelapena5063]

That's a beautiful story.

[@krismurphy7711]

LIFE IS SO COOL SOMETIMES!!!

[@jadonx]

The Universe is amazing...had she not known the name of that song?

[@indy_go_blue6048]

@@jadonx No, she'd never heard it before, just one of those lovely coincidences' life holds to give it charm. July was 37 years. Her eyes are still just as lovely.

[@jadonx]

@@indy_go_blue6048 yes lovely...hope you both still going strong.

[@TheCorrectAnswer56]

I MUST find the rest of this. You can't tell me someone sat down at a piano with Tony Banks and a camera and only asked him about Supper's Ready and Firth of Fifth. There's gotta be more out there somewhere.

[@brianjlevine]

The title IS one of the things that make's it so epic. Starts out very intimate and by the end it is THE supper.

[@nor499]

Simply one of the best pieces of music ever written. Period!

[@Hopspop]

Tony's always been great at taking standard chords and making them sound unique with unexpected bass or left-hand notes, love that sound.

[@genesis0932]

Apocalypse in 9/8 is mastery.

[@Kristopful]

Tony Banks never really got true recognition for his greatness as a keyboard player & composer....but the on Suppers Ready (example) his playing is Epic ...it just builds and builds to an awsome climax. The value of having a classical training in music (which many scorn). He understand music and composition, whatever the genra.

[@jamestoo2328]

tony is my favorite prog keyboards player. the song still delights and intrigues me.

[@tpalladino23]

As the lead guitar player in the Peter Gabriel Experience tribute band, I can honestly say the the closing piece of Supper’s Ready is the most epic piece in all of rock music. The power and the glory of “There’s an angel standing in the sun” captures the essence and the beauty of this masterpiece. I am in awe every time I hear it and playing it live, whether in our rehearsal studio or on stage, well nothing beats it. Not even the Musical Box.

[@JamieTurner7777]

Well, I just stumbled on this absolute piece of gold! How wonderful to have our digital world - to allow me to see and hear an interview with the man who impacted my musical life as much as any other of my music teachers. What a treasure he wrote...time tells all for classics, and Supper's Ready has reached that status for me.

[@wilecuyote]

what a genious! Tony was a classical composer working in a rock band (and pulled it off stunningly well). perfect balance of melody, harmony, restraint, stlye and class. equally stunning was that Steve, Mike, and Phil had a similar approach to their parts as well. all these elements added depth to Genesis that took them far beyond most other bands and after all this time are still infinately listenable : )

[@pschroeter1]

Supper's Ready, Close the the Edge, Tarkus. The holy trinity of prog rock.

[@RodLD]

Supper's Ready, Epitaph, Echoes

[@Euclib]

Rod LD tarkus and ctte> echoes

[@apolloniusbeitsman5444]

​@@RodLDpink floyd is overrated. Echoes is overrated

[@danguee1]

What a shame people can't just let you express your opinion but have to come out with their own preferences. Commenters are so argumentative and competitive. Pathetic really...

[@philippepages9929]

and Thick as a brick

[@MarcoWriedt]

No one will EVER reach that Level again....It´s just too good....I mean listen to the Song....no words for that...

[@DetroitThor]

Simply the best progressive rock song ever written.

[@krismurphy7711]

I just wished they had dumped Willow Farm....I try to skip it. Completely changes the mood that the song had built to that point.

[@nectarinedreams7208]

@@krismurphy7711 Willow Farm is an essential part of the piece. Getting rid of it would be like slashing the face of Mona Lisa.

[@jurr47]

The best of Genesis: the keyboard. Great musician.

[@davebellamy4867]

Those chords are just stupendous, they are the best, especially the last one 1:45 onwards

[@daniellacroix-t9h]

Chords and rythme ! The result is actually gigantic. I've always considered Apocalypse in 9/8 as a barbarian ceremony that catches you. No escaping.

[@scottplumer3668]

Fascinating! Really shows what a team effort it was.

[@briansmith203]

And, I still feel very emotional when I hear it, sometimes for days. As a side note, I remember being in line outside when they arrived in a big white American station wagon with their gear. They had to walk through the line of people waiting to carry their gear in to the side door. Best show I've ever seen.

[@pacific707]

Agreed! I can never stop listening to it!

[@atruemusicgodnamedphilip5026]

One of the great keyboard artists of our time, we are truly blessed to have a gifted man who can make a keyboard timeless and make sense. Thank you Mr. Banks for allowing us enjoy your remarkable talent and gift.

[@geociudad]

Supper's Ready is a fantasy epic song and Tony is a true genius

[@goddessofprog]

I agree 100%. Supper's Ready is my very favorite song of all time.

[@samurai1999]

It's great to see TB expressing the joy of making great music with a few of your mates!

[@dmny05077]

@gritnom Without a doubt...even after hearing it thousands of times. Perfection never grows old.

[@HiVizCamo]

Title's perfect, Tony.

[@lyticityl]

if you love it, set it free. that is what tony seems to do with his writing. sets it free with the other bandmembers and it comes back to him even better. suppers ready tops my list of fav songs. thank you mr banks

[@Jellybeantiger]

I'm a drummer and this person is what inspires me the most. Just beautiful melodies that mark your face start twitching.

[@krissyrose14]

Classic Tony Banks keyboard, Tony owns that sound! Love the sound of Apocalypse in 9/8 on it. Mmmmm, this is love, girl, call it what you will, this is love... Great interview too, very informative and detailed explanation.

[@stevies5]

Isn't it good to hear someone talking from the heart about how it was and not trying to glamourise it in any way? A guy you feel you've been chatting with for years. Great interview, thanks for the up.

[@xeractus]

666 IS NO LONGER ALONE!!! I can't ever listen to Supper's Ready without getting to that section and really belting out the lyrics right until the end of the whoel thing, so much energy and emotion it can either reduce you to a wreck or leave you exuberated. Marvellous stuff.

[@arkanoiddude]

This is a man who knows his craft.

[@genesisinsideme]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.... Tony is love...! all a great and wonderful musician ...!

[@avjake]

The amount of great music these guys created is a bit hard to believe. Plus the solo projects. Amazing.

[@Maceta444]

The delicate process of songwriting

[@claudioboafe6903]

Gratidão. É isso que sinto. Um talento incomum, que deixou grandes composições. Para sempre, gratidão a Tony Banks. E aos outros do Genesis também.

[@utahriding7307]

i love tony

[@talktomeaboutlife]

I think Tony undersells the 'epic' of 'Supper's Ready' as a title. I mean, to a certain extent we're talking about this after the song has nearly 50 years of historical weight to it now. But what makes the song is this toying with epic things of religion, mythology and folklore, but in a British postmodern kind of way with a hint of whimsy and ryeness. The Supper that is ready seems to mostly be a kind of nod to Christianity and the Second Coming, with people sitting around the Lord's table (a motif that pops up in other religions and mythologies), but that only becomes more obvious at the end. Earlier it seems to be a bit more mundane. I think it's this tension between epic and mundane that elevates the material beyond just 'mythical disposable prog' and gives it that timeless quality. I dare say if Tony had his way and named it something a bit more 'epic' (and had more control over lyrics and where they were sung), the whole thing would be less transcendant. That's not a slight against Tony at all - I think much of what elevates the catalogue are those moments where it is almost apparent on reflection where Peter and Tony butted heads and made concessions to each other (and to a lesser but still integral sense Phil, Steve and Mike) and that process produced moments like Supper's Ready. They've all done worthwhile solo work themselves, of course, but I honestly think Genesis would have been a lesser force in those years if any of those five had either not been there or simply toed the line in favour of any of the other dominant personalities in the group. Having said all that, I think the fact that Tony STILL says "You know, I would rather have called it something a bit more epic" is precisely that quality that was so essential at the time, so far be it from me to tell him otherwise :D

[@trespasser121]

You are so right, but I would like to add that in this song it's not just the 5 active members, but in the acoustic parts, Ant Phillips influence is notable, so for me, it does seem like he's still in the band .

[@napomania]

I hear Ant Phillips influence in Cinema Show intro. His acustic style was similar to Hackett style

[@f0ns0r]

You are so right. Genesis first era was about that, really. You described it perfectly.

[@44BluesFan]

Pure musical genius.

[@briansmith203]

I saw them at the Rainbow Theater in Hollywood, 1973 I think, second show. Instead of the white suit, Gabriel had a Santa suit with a big hoop middle. He did a quite silly dance and we all felt a sense of relief from the doom. Genius song, excellent collaboration!

[@1ouncebird]

That would be the Roxy Theater on Sunset Blvd. - next door to the Rainbow which was a bar.

[@TrevRockOne]

What a wonderfully applicable metaphor that is.

[@kamwrites]

I think that's more recent too, even in his older interviews he seems more subdued than he does now. I think he's just finally found an element of comfort in the interviews. He's definitely a man of his craft, no doubt!

[@jawoody9745]

I wish I could play so many riffs, so effortlessly.....

[@ElizabethMariya]

Sometimes it's great to watch videos at YT even if you own the original DVD just to read the comments ;-) Tony Banks IS. Period.

[@777jones]

When Tony’s long life comes to an end, he will die a hero for this.

[@richtw]

Wonder when he last tuned his piano!

[@L00PdeL00P]

It’s a CP30 (CP70?), it’s an electro-acoustic piano made by Yamaha, they always seem to have that character when they’re alone. You can hear one in Hold the Line by Toto! Though it has some chorus on there.

[@genesisinsideme]

living legend !

[@SuperMarioJamesSMJ]

he wrote the solo in 4/4...he wants to undersell the pragmatic approach he takes..the chords underneath in 9 are the real genius if Banks

[@TheCorrectAnswer56]

So Tony was playing the keyboards in 4/4 and Mike was playing the guitar riff in 9/8 so imagine how difficult Phil's job was. He had to alternate between playing in 9/8 and playing in 4/4 and make it sound good and he did it flawlessly. I've heard this song probably hundreds of times and I still can't follow along with Phil's drums - so complex yet never actually sounded complex. Phil was a genius drummer!

[@cameodamaneo]

kayfabe 58 Actually, he alternares between 4/4 and 7/4 throughout the solo. He also just explained that pretty much no matter what he did, it'd match up because of the three notes.

[@napomania]

Ouch thought was in 9\8 even the solo part, instead is more complex than i could imagine. This music is very hard for the brain and i like that, never get tired of this

[@genesisinsideme]

yes it is... is a fantantastic retrospective , I have it too...!

[@davebellamy4867]

I always wondered if a lot of the odd time signatures were just created by the note sequences of Tony's keyboards. Genius chords at the end of the passage.

[@ZeroChannelZero]

So cool that he takes the time to show us on the piano how it came together. I am definitely going to steal those "3 notes you can play anything you like over" for our guitarist who never knows what key we're in anyway 😐

[@genesisinsideme]

he have all our respects ... without Tony .... no Genesis would be possible!

[@stevedrums1675]

It's from the Genesis history retrospective dvd called "Songbook". Its actually much more comprehensive than the one they released in teh early 1990's. This is part of the bonus material.

[@Kolliain]

There are are so many of the single greatest songs ;-) But you are right, Supper's Ready is definitely one of the best.

[@ekathe85]

"Supper's ready" is a perfect title precisely because it's the complete antithesis of the song's epicness. Starting on such a tranquil, suburban note, and going the places it goes from there, it's a bizarre psychedelic trip best enjoyed having no idea how big it's gonna be.

[@JimoftheSlim]

It's a brilliant title, because, like the best of the witty British tradition, iy perfectly encapsulates a huge idea into something so simple. The return of Christ as the king, preparing a feast for his children as they enter the Kingdom of God - in its most basic terms, disregarding all the vocabulary of salvation, it is literally the story of supper being ready. At once thoughtful and hilarious.

[@brucefreedman3655]

I love watching Tony play examples when talking his way through the songs… especially the one where he hits what he calls “a bum note”! 😂

[@Ullprutt]

@whiterobin: He certainly is! Albums like "Selling England..." and "Lamb lies down..." are masterful showcases of Tony's musicianly and compositional skills. He is marvellous! I totally agree with you!

[@vaqalarxornawosk1731]

Amazing artist

[@johnni37]

What's interesting is that this became a recurring theme that sometimes bothered Tony where they'd finish a section or song only to have Peter add vocals. They never intended to have vocals in spots and Peter would come back with his own addition. The best example of this was Epping Forest. It was intended to be an instrumental which is why the vocals are rather cluegy in spots. Actually pissed the trio off. The height of this division of labor came with The Lamb. Peter went off on his own and wrote and conceived of all the lyrics (with the exception of 2 songs), and the band was quite unhappy. That was pretty much the end. Peter talks about this quite a bit afterwards. If you listen to the lyrics of Solsbury hill Peter eludes to this "I walked right out of the machinery, my heart going boom boom boom". This was a depiction of Genesis the band becoming a machine to move a song through where Peter wanted more complete control.

[@genesisinsideme]

as he moves his wonderfull fingers...!

[@EmersonCapuano]

This is on of the best Tony´s riif ever mande by himself

[@gabrieljardine]

I would love to hear a Tony Banks album with him just playing piano on these Genesis classics.

[@joemesa6745]

As a lifelong Genesis fan, I must say Apocalypse in 9/8 along with Cinema Show; both from Seconds Out, are my favorite Genesis compositions.

[@psychill22]

Yeah I notice that on the "3 Dates" video from the bonus disc on "ATTW3" in the 1976-82 Box Set. Always got the vibe he was kind of a shy guy.

[@DanielMumby]

Thank you

[@felsner1]

I love Tony's RP pronunciation...

[@rickV-zy6eh]

One of the greats of prog rock.

[@TheCorrectAnswer56]

I would absolutey love to hear Tony Banks describe all of the Genesis songs like this. It is so interesting to hear. There's gotta be more to this interview thing than just Supper's Ready and Firth of Fifth. Anyone know where I can find the rest of this???

[@19fabri63]

tony, la vera anima dei genesis

[@fiolds350]

I remember this as a kid 1985 I was born. All of a sudden one day in my 20s. I remember just chilling. Then it all came back one day. I'm like wtf was that song.

[@dwc311]

oh yeah this just might be Tonys best work

[@samurai1999]

@widswins Phil was picked because he was by far the best drummer that came for the audition.... - the costume changes were not even thought of at the time...

[@remnrone]

@Ken5244 Yes, but i don't see any concept *songs* among those that you mentioned. However, as i commented on another video, The song In Held T'Was in I by Procol Harum(1968) were concept song. The year for concept songs seemed to be 1972: Supper's Ready, Close To the Edge, Thick as a Brick... and imho neither In the Court of the Crimson King, Echoes or any of the songs from Sgt. Peppers were concept, because i dont see a clear, linear story. feel free to prove me wrong :)

[@rozangelamoreira6598]

Tony "King" Banks

[@metalheadnick555]

What is the "dramatic chord" he talked about...it's sounds so epic! Really though, Supper's Ready, particularly the "Apocalypse in 9/8" is definitely one of the high points of prog.

[@Chriskkboongg]

Tony wrote a lion's share of Genesis classics. In terms of compositions, Tony = Genesis.

[@krissyrose14]

@juandhaltrich However, even if Wakeman and Emerson are more gifted technicians, which I do respect both of their talents, there's something unique about Banks' style of composition. I find Wakeman and Emerson awe inspiring, but Banks' style and composing connects with me more. It not only a mental connection, but an emotional one too. It's as if his keyboard sounds color the whole world around me, a wash of magic. He's a gifted songwriter.

[@123612100]

1:53 is my favorite part.

[@ziggerwebdesign1704]

My hero

[@ThefightingCelt]

I love Supper's Ready. For me and for most Genesis fans, it is without doubt their magnum opus. That said, the piece itself ( though not similar ) was very much influenced by Van Der Graaf Generators' " A Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers " from their album Pawn Hearts , which was released on the Charisma label in 1971 - a year earlier than Foxtrot.

[@marxnutz]

No, Tony, the title was perfect.

[@davebellamy4867]

0:45+ Mike, "very random fashion, he wasn't doing anything particular at all." 😂And I thought she was such a genius playing 9/8 bass riff under all of Tony's varying keyboard rhythms and Phil's and later Chester's drums. It's kind of free jazz at the time with ultra composed chords and organ part. Somehow though it sounds consistent between live versions, probably because it's completely impossible to keep up counting the beats!

[@numpty2723]

Supper's Ready is a brilliant title. It's so prosaic that it's ominous, like Time For Bed or Turn Out The Lights. Sounds portentous in an ironic way, like something extreme is about to happen.

[@Angop96]

I have to agree with whiterobin...I like some of the stuff Wakeman & Emerson did...SOME of it...But Banks almost exclusively kicks my ass everytime I hear those older Genesis albums especially..he is brilliant!

[@robertdebrus3732]

My best friend growing up Jimmy Nichols worked at a Sunoco one night I spent the night up there we called the radio station they played supper's ready we turned out all the lights we were smoking weed what a memorable night Jimmy if you see this I'll always love you buddy and I'm so sorry the way it turned out

[@neibobber]

funny how most people ive tried to turn on to this song ,never mention it again..you either are all in or not in at all,,when it comes to old great fantastic genesis tunes,,why do so many never get it???

[@kellymelrose8527]

fascinating

[@TheCorrectAnswer56]

I heard Tony Banks say once that what makes Supper's Ready so great is all the "foreplay" that comes before Apocalypse in 9/8. The Apocalypse section COULD stand on its own as a single song, but without the "foreplay" beforehand it is not as exciting. I just thought it was a funny analogy.

[@renatacaronepeeples4842]

The best ever! at the time, some people used to say...bah! "Yes" is much better then Genesis...first of all...we can not compare bands or music. Genesis made me so high without drugs...the atmosphere of a weird Fairy Tale. a bit creepy , with awesome musicality...one song had so many diff melodies...hunted sound and lyrics.! .That is when I started to develop my surrealism artwork....I didn't even know there was a a movement called Surrealism, but I was completely taken by it...Drawing and listening to the first albums of Genesis...for hours..and hours and hours."

[@lenr7137]

Renata Carone Peeples You are SO right! Genesis always appealed to me much more than Yes. To me Yes sounds like many other prog rock bands; Genesis was so unique, both musically and lyrically.

[@dwc311]

WAITING FOR BATTLE! *deedle de de de duh de de de deedle le de de ti de deedle le de lee deedle lee* epic stuff! one of my favs prog rock at its best!

[@242-f5u]

I think you're missing one "deedle" in there 😉

[@josie1776]

For me, that title goes to 'Battle of Epping Forest'.

[@alastairscott4042]

The drums are awesome too as are the guitar parts. The flute isn't at all bad either....come to think of it - it is the best piece of music I've ever heard. But what's it all about, eh?

[@daveatfifty]

100 percent agree.

[@genesisinsideme]

noi tuutti le genesiani autentici avemo sempre le pensieri TONY E LA ANIMA DEI GENESIS.. senza Tony Genesis non aveva essistito! ma... le altre anche sono indispensabilli per l existenza de LA BANDA E LA SUA OPERA ! il mio cuore e diventato felice perche conosco sono felice!

[@blackmarketbingo]

@whiterobin For the most part, he is humble, but if you read the book "Genesis: Chapter and Verse", there are instances where he does act full of himself or knowing he was important and acting it - but he doesn't do it constantly, so he's still all right in my book..if he was full of himself and amazing I might not love Genesis nearly as much as I do now..Tony is and will always be my favorite member of Genesis..if not my favorite musician! I even want to style my hair like his was in the 70s!:P

[@whalestail1955]

@whiterobin You got it. He is by far the master. No piece of keyboard work ever done compares to his live rendition of 2nd Home by the Sea and In the cage on the Mama tour. Indescribable. Not that YT took the shackles off go download all of it

[@b16bubu]

Greatest music ever but let's not forget who wrote the lyrics and performed with vocals that Phil could never match