GenesisFan

by Kevin

Saw Hackett & Renaissance in Cleveland last night. This was the first titme I ever saw Hackett. I also thought it was interesting that somebody told me his bassist was from the '80s one hit wonder Kajagoogoo ("Too Shy")& somebody else told me the keyboardist was from King Crimson. Though to my knowledge the only live keyboardist Crimson's ever had (& usually just mellotron too) is Robert Fripp. I believe Steve had like a six piece band. The highlights to me were "Ace of Wands." He did four Genesis tunes & both pairs were back to back. Like he closed with "Los Endos" & "Firth of Fifth." (thought it quite interesting for "Firth of Fifth" it had the piano intro. which Genesis never does & they played the flute part instead of keyboard there like Tony usually does instead) And he did "Blood On the Rooftops" & "Fly On A Windshield" which are some of my fave Genesis tunes ever & were pure magic! The drummer sang all the Genesis tunes. And I ran into a guy (who's the singer) up there in a Genesis tribute band called Afterglow. (he does Pete & Phil) Oh, & the other musical highlight for me I'd say was probably "Ace of Wands." Was also cool I ran into a girl & her husband who I've seen at shows here in Cincinnati & Columbus. And I asked the T-shirt guy if Steve went to the hall of Fame while he was up there & he said he did. :) Steve also acted like he was very grateful for the honor as well.

I have to admit though I was pretty pissed too. I'm coming from out of town 250 miles away. I really wanted to meet him & then later I heard he came out inside up front where the T-shirts were before Renaissance even started. And I didn't even get there until like twenty minutes after Renaissance started. Renaissance signed right before & during the beginning of Hackett's set, long line too. I don't really know much about 'em though except Annie Haslam so it wouldn't really have meant much besides. She still looked beautiful & she has to be around 60 by now. Their music sounded nice & interesting. At smoke break in between Renaissance & Hackett I was talking to this guy who met Hackett. He saw I had a Genesis T-shirt on & gave it to me. I asked why & he said 'cause he thought it might mean more to me than him. So that was very nice of him (surprised how illegible his autograph was lol) but still not the same. And everybody I talked to said how nice he was & I've always heard that. He'd easily be the nicest guy in Genesis but also the only one even remotely possible to meet to. Genesis is pretty much like my fave band so I do have to admit to feeling a little heartbroken today. I even brought two of my Genesis vinyls (Trick & W&W) & a camera. And I would have loved to have interacted with him for a minute or even just a few seconds. To get a pic & those vinyls really would have meant the fucking world to me.