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A Genesis in My Bed: The Autobiography
The long overdue autobiography from guitar great and former member of Genesis, Steve Hackett. As with his music, Steve has written a highly detailed, entertaining and embracing tome that charts his life in full, but with a firm emphasis on his years with Genesis that saw the band’s meteoric rise to become one of the most successful British bands of all time.
Steve talks candidly about his early life, his time with Genesis, and his personal relationships with the other four band members, with great insight into the daily goings on of this major rock band.
Naturally A Genesis In My Bed also regales stories of Steve’s career since leaving Genesis and the many different journeys that it has taken him on. With his flair for the creative, and a great deal of levity, A Genesis In My Bed is a riveting read. Indispensable for Genesis fans but also essential for general music lovers and avid readers of autobiographies full of heartfelt and emotive tales.
Steve talks candidly about his early life, his time with Genesis, and his personal relationships with the other four band members, with great insight into the daily goings on of this major rock band.
Naturally A Genesis In My Bed also regales stories of Steve’s career since leaving Genesis and the many different journeys that it has taken him on. With his flair for the creative, and a great deal of levity, A Genesis In My Bed is a riveting read. Indispensable for Genesis fans but also essential for general music lovers and avid readers of autobiographies full of heartfelt and emotive tales.
208 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
September 2, 2020
Most people will grab this book to read about Hackett's time in Genesis, as well as what led him to quit, and on this point, the book delivers. My personal feeling around Genesis was that the band musical creativity went south when Hackett left. And reading this book you can get a vibe of what he was bringing to the group, as well as his contributions to the compositions. The book also covers the creation of his first 3 albums, which were amazing.
However, I felt the book fell short on the 80s, 90s and 00s. Clearly Hackett had to change his ways with the changes in the music world in those years, but the book becomes a short list of his albums and some special tracks and what they meant.
It was still an interesting read.
However, I felt the book fell short on the 80s, 90s and 00s. Clearly Hackett had to change his ways with the changes in the music world in those years, but the book becomes a short list of his albums and some special tracks and what they meant.
It was still an interesting read.
July 21, 2020
A bit of a strange one really. Considering Steve Hackett has mentioned working on this for years, it's remarkably short. Also, being an autobiography rather than a biography written by somebody else, there are clear gaps in the narrative that he clearly doesn't want to talk about.
His first wife pops up a fair bit, but his second wife Kim, who did most of his famous album covers, is pretty much introduced in one chapter, dismissed several chapters later, and disappears in between.
He talks a lot about the relationships between Genesis band members but there isn't much detail about behind the scenes processes or anything like that.
It becomes clear, very quickly that this is less the story of Steve Hackett's life, and more an exploration of his personality, his methods, and the things he feels have shaped him. Once I shifted my perspective on what the book was, it was very enjoyable and intriguing.
His first wife pops up a fair bit, but his second wife Kim, who did most of his famous album covers, is pretty much introduced in one chapter, dismissed several chapters later, and disappears in between.
He talks a lot about the relationships between Genesis band members but there isn't much detail about behind the scenes processes or anything like that.
It becomes clear, very quickly that this is less the story of Steve Hackett's life, and more an exploration of his personality, his methods, and the things he feels have shaped him. Once I shifted my perspective on what the book was, it was very enjoyable and intriguing.
February 3, 2021
in a genesis in my bed, steve hackett takes us through his life and musical career at - and i do not exaggerate - breakneck speed. one minute we're being regaled with childhood tales from fifties london, then it's off to being in genesis then on to solo work then to genesis revisited with barely any time to breathe. when you look at how thin the book is, you can't help but wonder how the hell hackett is going to squeeze all his musical adventures in so few pages whilst maintaining a certain level of detail. the answer is: he doesn't.
it's such a shame, because as someone who would probably pick genesis as their specialist subject on mastermind, i always jump at the chance to read the band's story from a new perspective. but recollections of his time with the group is over in an instant, perhaps a couple of nods to songs here and there on the albums he features. hackett's iconic guitar work is a hallmark of classic prog-era genesis and it just feels disappointing to read next to nothing about certain elements on selling england by the pound or the lamb. granted, there is a fair amount of detail on nursery cryme, but with each following album the detail becomes less and less.
yet what was most disappointing was the time spent talking about his 'classic' solo albums - all four of them discussed in roughly twenty pages. defector is one of my favourite prog records ever and i was arguably even more excited to read about the making of that than the genesis albums as i knew less about it. but i barely had time to blink before we were moving swiftly onwards into the next chapter of his career. tell me about the ideas, the arrangements, the production, the lyrics, anecdotes - anything! i feel like my knowledge of those records are still pretty much the same as before i read the book.
the other major issue i had with a genesis in my bed was its glaring lack of editing. a handful of typos aside, hackett liked to wander aimlessly in his writing, yet as he speeds through his musical career it's simultaneously a slog and too quick. a lot of sections read like facebook posts where the author is reminiscing over a vague memory from a long time ago, such is his rambly tone. my dad read this book before i did and the first thing he picked up on was the quality of writing, or lack thereof. it's all over the shop and could have really used another pair of eyes to glance over it.
i was initially going to give this three stars, but i realised there wasn't much i liked about this at all, besides his candidness surrounding his mental health, a couple of funny anecdotes regarding the six bob tour and the time that robert fripp told him off for eating too much of his cheese. usually with the less impressive music books i read, i'm still usually happy to have read it anyway because i love to read about my favourite artists and i've usually taken away something about the music. but i probably got less out of this than if i'd read an actual genesis biography, and as much as i admire steve hackett as a musician, i cannot say the same for his abilities as a writer.
it's such a shame, because as someone who would probably pick genesis as their specialist subject on mastermind, i always jump at the chance to read the band's story from a new perspective. but recollections of his time with the group is over in an instant, perhaps a couple of nods to songs here and there on the albums he features. hackett's iconic guitar work is a hallmark of classic prog-era genesis and it just feels disappointing to read next to nothing about certain elements on selling england by the pound or the lamb. granted, there is a fair amount of detail on nursery cryme, but with each following album the detail becomes less and less.
yet what was most disappointing was the time spent talking about his 'classic' solo albums - all four of them discussed in roughly twenty pages. defector is one of my favourite prog records ever and i was arguably even more excited to read about the making of that than the genesis albums as i knew less about it. but i barely had time to blink before we were moving swiftly onwards into the next chapter of his career. tell me about the ideas, the arrangements, the production, the lyrics, anecdotes - anything! i feel like my knowledge of those records are still pretty much the same as before i read the book.
the other major issue i had with a genesis in my bed was its glaring lack of editing. a handful of typos aside, hackett liked to wander aimlessly in his writing, yet as he speeds through his musical career it's simultaneously a slog and too quick. a lot of sections read like facebook posts where the author is reminiscing over a vague memory from a long time ago, such is his rambly tone. my dad read this book before i did and the first thing he picked up on was the quality of writing, or lack thereof. it's all over the shop and could have really used another pair of eyes to glance over it.
i was initially going to give this three stars, but i realised there wasn't much i liked about this at all, besides his candidness surrounding his mental health, a couple of funny anecdotes regarding the six bob tour and the time that robert fripp told him off for eating too much of his cheese. usually with the less impressive music books i read, i'm still usually happy to have read it anyway because i love to read about my favourite artists and i've usually taken away something about the music. but i probably got less out of this than if i'd read an actual genesis biography, and as much as i admire steve hackett as a musician, i cannot say the same for his abilities as a writer.
July 29, 2020
The first thing you notice about Steve Hackett’s autobiography is the brief page count. This is both a blessing and a curse. It makes the read quick and concise but also sketches over details that dedicated fans may have wanted, notably on his later solo career. That said I found the book hugely enjoyable and after reading it felt, as a result, I knew much more about what makes Hackett tick – his insecurities in particular. His writing is literate and informative and full of anecdotes. The book is effectively split into three sections: Growing up and family life pre-Genesis; the Genesis years and his post-Genesis solo career. The first section gives much insight into the formation of Hackett’s personality. A shy youngster lacking in self-confidence, but with a natural musical ability, striving to find his niche. His ultimate link up with Genesis, via an interesting Melody Maker ad, is well known through band biographies.
Hackett’s time with the band highlights his initial reticence to assert himself, although he was instrumental in the band purchasing a Mellotron, which helped transform their sound. He grew in confidence once Gabriel had left the band – Hackett had recorded his first solo album, in the interim between The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway and A Trick of the Tail. His newfound confidence through solo compositions became more apparent on Wind & Wuthering, but also sowed the seeds for his leaving Genesis when his intention to continue a solo career alongside the band was vetoed by Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford. His ultimate departure was swift, during the mixing of the live album Seconds Out. At the time Hackett let some of his frustrations out in subsequent press interviews. Here, looking back with the benefit of hindsight, he is more objective and sees how if he had been more patient he may well have been able to combine the two further down the road – as became apparent once Banks, Rutherford and Phil Collins launched their own solo careers only two or three years later. Hackett is very complimentary of his former bandmates and makes it clear they all get on well, despite occasional disagreements and insensitivities – notably the editing out of Hackett’s solo career from the band’s 2004 documentary Together and Apart.
The latter part of the book, covering Hackett’s post-Genesis solo career is the most sketchy and therefore least informative – although he candidly documents the stresses of managing his solo career as well as his post-punk struggles with the record companies and the music press. Hackett comes across as an immensely likeable bloke, whose desire to nurture talent and have a settled and supportive partner has been his driving force. His third wife Jo has been a keen supporter and soulmate. Hackett’s return to the Genesis archive to mix the band’s songs with his own solo output in his live set confirms he has come to terms with his inner self and is probably the happiest he has ever been. His final words, “I have finally found home,” confirm this. A pleasurable and heartwarming read.
Hackett’s time with the band highlights his initial reticence to assert himself, although he was instrumental in the band purchasing a Mellotron, which helped transform their sound. He grew in confidence once Gabriel had left the band – Hackett had recorded his first solo album, in the interim between The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway and A Trick of the Tail. His newfound confidence through solo compositions became more apparent on Wind & Wuthering, but also sowed the seeds for his leaving Genesis when his intention to continue a solo career alongside the band was vetoed by Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford. His ultimate departure was swift, during the mixing of the live album Seconds Out. At the time Hackett let some of his frustrations out in subsequent press interviews. Here, looking back with the benefit of hindsight, he is more objective and sees how if he had been more patient he may well have been able to combine the two further down the road – as became apparent once Banks, Rutherford and Phil Collins launched their own solo careers only two or three years later. Hackett is very complimentary of his former bandmates and makes it clear they all get on well, despite occasional disagreements and insensitivities – notably the editing out of Hackett’s solo career from the band’s 2004 documentary Together and Apart.
The latter part of the book, covering Hackett’s post-Genesis solo career is the most sketchy and therefore least informative – although he candidly documents the stresses of managing his solo career as well as his post-punk struggles with the record companies and the music press. Hackett comes across as an immensely likeable bloke, whose desire to nurture talent and have a settled and supportive partner has been his driving force. His third wife Jo has been a keen supporter and soulmate. Hackett’s return to the Genesis archive to mix the band’s songs with his own solo output in his live set confirms he has come to terms with his inner self and is probably the happiest he has ever been. His final words, “I have finally found home,” confirm this. A pleasurable and heartwarming read.
January 4, 2021
Being lead guitar in one of the biggest bands in the world followed by 40 years of solo work with many albums and sold out concerts, seems like good source material for an autobiography.
Well it’s not.
At least in the case of Steve Hackett, lead guitar for Genesis for 6 of their first 8 albums.
Hackett is a very nice man based on this book and a record store appearance I witnessed. He’s a terrific guitarist based on the Genesis stuff and the few albums of his own I know. He’s not a flashy performer, sitting in the Genesis years and standing fairly still in his solo work. He’s best known for the gorgeous, searing guitar solo on the Genesis song Firth of Fifth. I’ve seen this done multiple times at Genesis shows including by Hackett in the mid 70’s but never better than by Hackett at his solo show 2 years ago.
All that being said this is a dull, dull, book. It’s only 180 pages which tells you there isn’t much to say and a lot of it is telling us how wonderful everyone he works with is. Hackett has been married 3 times and his second wife sued him for royalties which apparently Hackett had moved from their company to himself. Juicy stuff that was only alluded to in the book. Differences with Mike Rutherford get short shift also. While he discusses his reasons for leaving Genesis it’s not in much detail. Autobiographies are choices. You choose to write, choose what are the important parts of a live and choose which of these parts get deeply described.
What’s entertaining, what’s funny, what’s moving, what’s educational, what’s revelatory and what pieces frame the narrative: these are all potential building blocks.
Maybe Steve is a lucky guy. He’s had a pretty nice life and survived leaving Genesis with only a little less money but a very productive career. So maybe there just isn’t that much to tell us. Maybe there was just nothing to build.
Well it’s not.
At least in the case of Steve Hackett, lead guitar for Genesis for 6 of their first 8 albums.
Hackett is a very nice man based on this book and a record store appearance I witnessed. He’s a terrific guitarist based on the Genesis stuff and the few albums of his own I know. He’s not a flashy performer, sitting in the Genesis years and standing fairly still in his solo work. He’s best known for the gorgeous, searing guitar solo on the Genesis song Firth of Fifth. I’ve seen this done multiple times at Genesis shows including by Hackett in the mid 70’s but never better than by Hackett at his solo show 2 years ago.
All that being said this is a dull, dull, book. It’s only 180 pages which tells you there isn’t much to say and a lot of it is telling us how wonderful everyone he works with is. Hackett has been married 3 times and his second wife sued him for royalties which apparently Hackett had moved from their company to himself. Juicy stuff that was only alluded to in the book. Differences with Mike Rutherford get short shift also. While he discusses his reasons for leaving Genesis it’s not in much detail. Autobiographies are choices. You choose to write, choose what are the important parts of a live and choose which of these parts get deeply described.
What’s entertaining, what’s funny, what’s moving, what’s educational, what’s revelatory and what pieces frame the narrative: these are all potential building blocks.
Maybe Steve is a lucky guy. He’s had a pretty nice life and survived leaving Genesis with only a little less money but a very productive career. So maybe there just isn’t that much to tell us. Maybe there was just nothing to build.
May 4, 2022
Inizio col dire che anche per questo libro vale la regola che sancisce che ogni libro che cita Tony Banks merita una stella in più.
Che dire... Carino. Molto molto, forse troppo, breve e che lascia una sensazione di "vorrei ma non posso" che è un po' dura da mandare giù.
In certi punti è sembrato più che altro di leggere una lista di eventi e dischi pubblicati, più che un'autobiografia.
Poteva essere molto meglio, poteva andare più a fondo negli argomenti trattati e soffermarsi un po' di più almeno sugli eventi cardine della vita di Steve.
Come detto, senza infamia e senza gloria. Leggendo queste pagine ci si può rendere conto che anche i musicisti che tanto ammiriamo, in fondo sono degli esseri umani con le loro paure ed insicurezze... Ed è bello sentire una connessione con essi e riconoscersi in certi atteggiamenti.
3 stelle, ma non piene, mi sarei aspettata qualcosa di più.
Che dire... Carino. Molto molto, forse troppo, breve e che lascia una sensazione di "vorrei ma non posso" che è un po' dura da mandare giù.
In certi punti è sembrato più che altro di leggere una lista di eventi e dischi pubblicati, più che un'autobiografia.
Poteva essere molto meglio, poteva andare più a fondo negli argomenti trattati e soffermarsi un po' di più almeno sugli eventi cardine della vita di Steve.
Come detto, senza infamia e senza gloria. Leggendo queste pagine ci si può rendere conto che anche i musicisti che tanto ammiriamo, in fondo sono degli esseri umani con le loro paure ed insicurezze... Ed è bello sentire una connessione con essi e riconoscersi in certi atteggiamenti.
3 stelle, ma non piene, mi sarei aspettata qualcosa di più.
July 27, 2023
Heel inspirerend
March 22, 2025
Steve comes across as a throughly likeable and talented man. The first part of this book is the strongest as he writes well about his earliest experiences and his time with Genesis.
As he embarks on his solo career, the book becomes more like a series of Wikipedia entries with less detail the further we get to the present day.
I did wonder at the airbrushing out of the picture of his wife Kim, but this is mentioned in the short epilogue. Apparently, the divorce settlement included an element of non-disclosure.
It's a shame as the book began so strongly. We are left to guess at any feelings, either positive or negative, he may have had for Ms Poor. Whilst his continuous uxorious writings over the latest wife Jo at least reassures us, he is at peace and very happy with his life since.
As he embarks on his solo career, the book becomes more like a series of Wikipedia entries with less detail the further we get to the present day.
I did wonder at the airbrushing out of the picture of his wife Kim, but this is mentioned in the short epilogue. Apparently, the divorce settlement included an element of non-disclosure.
It's a shame as the book began so strongly. We are left to guess at any feelings, either positive or negative, he may have had for Ms Poor. Whilst his continuous uxorious writings over the latest wife Jo at least reassures us, he is at peace and very happy with his life since.
August 13, 2021
Steve Hackett in this century is arguably more exceptional than he was in the last.
That's something that cannot be said about the bulk of his contemporaries - assailed by health problems, dead, fumbling about in the fogs of dotage or nostalgia acts with "new releases" that are a pale shadow of their heyday, merely a contractual obligation or an excuse for a 'tour' composed mostly of the old hits.
Hackett on the other hand, has kept up a manic worth ethic: a new release - be it a studio album or live sets that explore previously ignored parts of his vast discography - every other year. His playing and composition - at least to my ears - equal if not surpass his earlier output. He is certainly less restrained when it comes to lead guitar.
So I will quickly get my disappointments with his autobiography out of the way first: it's way too short and by the end, it seems like Hackett has lost some of the animating spirit that he began the exercise with - considering it appears to have been completed in the early days of the pandemic, that's entirely understandable. Having said that, as a fan I would have loved more details on projects like Squackett, his very impressive collaboration with Chris Squire from Yes; and some of his more recent albums getting the attention that is lavished on his first solo outing - Voyage of The Acolyte.
A fog descends on the narrative sometime around the 90s and doesn't really lift till the early part of the last decade - I imagine the legal wrangles with ex-wife Kim Poor have some part to play in this. It struck me as a time that Hackett either cannot (for legal reasons) or does not wish to revisit. There are parts where he comes across as more guarded than he has in interviews or even in songs - Love Song to a Vampire from Wolflight, for instance.
With that caveat out of the way, this is a great chronicle of and by a musician who somehow escaped becoming jaded and is yet to lose his childlike sense of wonder.
For my money, more than any literary pastiche set in the late 60s, its a lot more fun hearing Hackett talk about the time. In the process, kicking the crap out of the old cliche about how "if you remember the 60s, you weren't there."
His descriptions of his experiences as a frequent concert goer are suffused with an awe that has not diminished over the years - particularly his impressions of King Crimson and (future collaborator) Richie Havens.
He also, to the extent possible, tries to explain his motivations as a musician and the compositional impulses that drove some of his most memorable work.
A great read if you've liked Hackett at any point in his career, and if you appreciate the chatty liner notes that accompany some of his more recent releases.
That's something that cannot be said about the bulk of his contemporaries - assailed by health problems, dead, fumbling about in the fogs of dotage or nostalgia acts with "new releases" that are a pale shadow of their heyday, merely a contractual obligation or an excuse for a 'tour' composed mostly of the old hits.
Hackett on the other hand, has kept up a manic worth ethic: a new release - be it a studio album or live sets that explore previously ignored parts of his vast discography - every other year. His playing and composition - at least to my ears - equal if not surpass his earlier output. He is certainly less restrained when it comes to lead guitar.
So I will quickly get my disappointments with his autobiography out of the way first: it's way too short and by the end, it seems like Hackett has lost some of the animating spirit that he began the exercise with - considering it appears to have been completed in the early days of the pandemic, that's entirely understandable. Having said that, as a fan I would have loved more details on projects like Squackett, his very impressive collaboration with Chris Squire from Yes; and some of his more recent albums getting the attention that is lavished on his first solo outing - Voyage of The Acolyte.
A fog descends on the narrative sometime around the 90s and doesn't really lift till the early part of the last decade - I imagine the legal wrangles with ex-wife Kim Poor have some part to play in this. It struck me as a time that Hackett either cannot (for legal reasons) or does not wish to revisit. There are parts where he comes across as more guarded than he has in interviews or even in songs - Love Song to a Vampire from Wolflight, for instance.
With that caveat out of the way, this is a great chronicle of and by a musician who somehow escaped becoming jaded and is yet to lose his childlike sense of wonder.
For my money, more than any literary pastiche set in the late 60s, its a lot more fun hearing Hackett talk about the time. In the process, kicking the crap out of the old cliche about how "if you remember the 60s, you weren't there."
His descriptions of his experiences as a frequent concert goer are suffused with an awe that has not diminished over the years - particularly his impressions of King Crimson and (future collaborator) Richie Havens.
He also, to the extent possible, tries to explain his motivations as a musician and the compositional impulses that drove some of his most memorable work.
A great read if you've liked Hackett at any point in his career, and if you appreciate the chatty liner notes that accompany some of his more recent releases.
May 9, 2021
Being a MASSIVE Genesis fan, I am conscious that my review of this book might be ever so slightly biased. After all I have had the pleasure of meeting Steve Hackett and found him to be down to earth, polite and friendly so what’s not to like about the guy? But that didn’t mean that the autobiography would be any good, and I have read plenty of musician’s books that have left a lot to be desired.
Covering his early life in a bleak and bomb scarred post WWII London, through his time as a member of a rock band that was on the verge of international fame and fortune, then going solo and the ups and downs that entailed.
There are the obligatory ‘Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll’ anecdotes but they are not sensationalised and are treated in a matter of fact way. This is more of a heart on his sleeve story of an amazingly talented musician’s life. Genesis might be seen as a meal ticket for any musician who happened to have been lucky enough to be in the band but Steve never rested on his laurels and the reasons and stories behind many of his often eclectic recordings are detailed. You might not be familiar with the albums but after reading his book you might just be tempted to listen to them. Classical, blues or rock he has something for any connoisseur of great music.
Devoid of rock star ego and self-aggrandizements this is a well written, informative and entertaining book that would be enjoyed by anyone, whether a Genesis fan or not.
The one qualm, which lost a star from the review, is that at the end he seemed to run out of steam. Perhaps the publisher demanded a minimum word count to meet contractual obligations or just that he ran out of things to say and forgot to stop? Whichever it was the last chapter seemed to lose direction and ended up name checking his past and present band members and over detailing the holiday inspirations for tracks on some of his albums. But such a detail is minor when the rest of the book certainly compensates for the trailing off at the end.
Covering his early life in a bleak and bomb scarred post WWII London, through his time as a member of a rock band that was on the verge of international fame and fortune, then going solo and the ups and downs that entailed.
There are the obligatory ‘Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll’ anecdotes but they are not sensationalised and are treated in a matter of fact way. This is more of a heart on his sleeve story of an amazingly talented musician’s life. Genesis might be seen as a meal ticket for any musician who happened to have been lucky enough to be in the band but Steve never rested on his laurels and the reasons and stories behind many of his often eclectic recordings are detailed. You might not be familiar with the albums but after reading his book you might just be tempted to listen to them. Classical, blues or rock he has something for any connoisseur of great music.
Devoid of rock star ego and self-aggrandizements this is a well written, informative and entertaining book that would be enjoyed by anyone, whether a Genesis fan or not.
The one qualm, which lost a star from the review, is that at the end he seemed to run out of steam. Perhaps the publisher demanded a minimum word count to meet contractual obligations or just that he ran out of things to say and forgot to stop? Whichever it was the last chapter seemed to lose direction and ended up name checking his past and present band members and over detailing the holiday inspirations for tracks on some of his albums. But such a detail is minor when the rest of the book certainly compensates for the trailing off at the end.
January 16, 2025
Steve Hackett’s autobiography, A Genesis in My Bed, is an intimate, compelling journey through the life and mind of one of progressive rock’s most innovative guitarists. From his formative years of discovery to his groundbreaking tenure with Genesis, Hackett reveals not just the milestones but the intricate, personal stories behind them. Written with warmth and wit, the book provides a front-row seat to the creative tensions and camaraderie within Genesis during its iconic years. Hackett’s recollections of writing and recording classics like Selling England by the Pound and The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway are rich with detail, shedding light on his experimental approach to guitar that helped define the band’s sound. Alongside the music, he delves into personal challenges, triumphs, and his decision to ultimately part ways with Genesis, offering readers a deeply human portrait of an artist in pursuit of authenticity.
What makes A Genesis in My Bed particularly captivating is Hackett’s humility and ability to balance humor with introspection. He shares anecdotes of life on the road, the occasional absurdities of fame, and the dynamics of collaboration with refreshing honesty. Fans of Genesis and progressive rock will revel in the behind-the-scenes insights, but the book’s appeal extends beyond its niche. It’s a story of passion, creativity, and resilience, showcasing Hackett not only as a musician but as an evolving individual navigating the complexities of life and art. Whether you’re a long-time Genesis fan or new to his work, Hackett’s autobiography resonates as a testament to the enduring power of music and the personal journeys that shape it.
What makes A Genesis in My Bed particularly captivating is Hackett’s humility and ability to balance humor with introspection. He shares anecdotes of life on the road, the occasional absurdities of fame, and the dynamics of collaboration with refreshing honesty. Fans of Genesis and progressive rock will revel in the behind-the-scenes insights, but the book’s appeal extends beyond its niche. It’s a story of passion, creativity, and resilience, showcasing Hackett not only as a musician but as an evolving individual navigating the complexities of life and art. Whether you’re a long-time Genesis fan or new to his work, Hackett’s autobiography resonates as a testament to the enduring power of music and the personal journeys that shape it.
August 14, 2020
Many autobiographies are ghost-written, which can lead to a rather sanitised writing style. This is not true of this book. By using Steve’s own words, he draws you into his world to such an extent, that he could almost be in the room with you.
I love Steve’s music, and his book certainly inspired me to explore it further, as I felt I had a deeper understanding of both Steve the man and Steve the musician.
I was especially impacted by his enormous sensitivity as a young child. Unlike three members of Genesis, who were born with silver spoons in their mouths, Steve was born with a plastic spoon in his mouth. (As Pete Townsend might put it.)
Even more extraordinary then, his overcoming the disadvantages of acute shyness and insecurity, as well as of social class, to achieve the heights of success on his own terms. Music was his lifeline, and this book is the story of how he grabbed that line with both hands.
Steve reacted in a thoughtful, mature way, on the whole, to the rock n roll lifestyle available to him. He is honest and warm, and by the end of the short book you feel you understand what Steve Hackett is all about.
I was lucky enough to meet him briefly in November 2018, at a gig at Trading Boundaries. The impression I had then, of a modest, empathic man, was confirmed. A special memory.
I love Steve’s music, and his book certainly inspired me to explore it further, as I felt I had a deeper understanding of both Steve the man and Steve the musician.
I was especially impacted by his enormous sensitivity as a young child. Unlike three members of Genesis, who were born with silver spoons in their mouths, Steve was born with a plastic spoon in his mouth. (As Pete Townsend might put it.)
Even more extraordinary then, his overcoming the disadvantages of acute shyness and insecurity, as well as of social class, to achieve the heights of success on his own terms. Music was his lifeline, and this book is the story of how he grabbed that line with both hands.
Steve reacted in a thoughtful, mature way, on the whole, to the rock n roll lifestyle available to him. He is honest and warm, and by the end of the short book you feel you understand what Steve Hackett is all about.
I was lucky enough to meet him briefly in November 2018, at a gig at Trading Boundaries. The impression I had then, of a modest, empathic man, was confirmed. A special memory.
August 5, 2020
Steve Hackett was, for about six years, the guitar player in the British band Genesis. He has had a long and distinguished solo career since then (with a brief foray into another group, GTR), but for most people, if they know him at all, it's for those six years. He is, perhaps, my favorite living guitarist, composing and performing in an astonishing range of styles
This is his autobiography. I enjoyed it, but it was kind of - "shallow" is the wrong word - breezy comes closest, as if he's repeating tales he's told in interviews so many times that he knows them by rote, and doesn't feel the need to go deeper or farther for the book. He tells his tale from birth right up to the beginning of the current unpleasantness and the forced cancellation of his touring plans, with a justifiable emphasis on his musical development and creations. His personal life is there, but ... breezy.
There's a plus to the approach. It felt like I was in a room with him, telling his story. But it all goes by with limited investment for the reader.
I don't know. I think I was disappointed after Townshend's autobio. So be it.
This is his autobiography. I enjoyed it, but it was kind of - "shallow" is the wrong word - breezy comes closest, as if he's repeating tales he's told in interviews so many times that he knows them by rote, and doesn't feel the need to go deeper or farther for the book. He tells his tale from birth right up to the beginning of the current unpleasantness and the forced cancellation of his touring plans, with a justifiable emphasis on his musical development and creations. His personal life is there, but ... breezy.
There's a plus to the approach. It felt like I was in a room with him, telling his story. But it all goes by with limited investment for the reader.
I don't know. I think I was disappointed after Townshend's autobio. So be it.
December 26, 2021
Essential Reading for Prog Heads
A fantastic book by a truly unique and inimitable artist. When I finished, I found his email and wrote a letter telling him how much I enjoyed the book and his music. I got a reply not fifteen minutes later from Steve (on Christmas day, no less) thanking me for my support. He even bought my latest horror novel as a result.
Steve is a sweet, approachable, down to earth guy without an ounce of ego, which is extraordinary considering what a legend he is. Cannot wait until he comes back to NY to perform.
My only criticism is that I wish Steve wrote in more technical detail about his experiences working in the studio with Genesis and his solo albums. Same goes for Mike Ruthorford's book. Being a working musician and such a prog-rock nerd, I'd eat up that info with a big spoon. Buy this book.
A fantastic book by a truly unique and inimitable artist. When I finished, I found his email and wrote a letter telling him how much I enjoyed the book and his music. I got a reply not fifteen minutes later from Steve (on Christmas day, no less) thanking me for my support. He even bought my latest horror novel as a result.
Steve is a sweet, approachable, down to earth guy without an ounce of ego, which is extraordinary considering what a legend he is. Cannot wait until he comes back to NY to perform.
My only criticism is that I wish Steve wrote in more technical detail about his experiences working in the studio with Genesis and his solo albums. Same goes for Mike Ruthorford's book. Being a working musician and such a prog-rock nerd, I'd eat up that info with a big spoon. Buy this book.
July 27, 2020
A pleasant but ultimately disappointing autobiography from Steve.
The book is very short; only 167 pages of text. There's nothing in the Genesis years that wasn't already covered in Chapter and Verse; and maybe that has more of interest attributed to Hackett's interviews.
And, finally, his solo years are somewhat sped through as he flies from album to album with not very much in the way of additional commentary.
He also talks a fair amount of mince about the impact of punk. Apart from anything else, the time's where he's quoting this as a constraint on his endeavours just don't tie in.
Despite all that, he comes across a decent type, and one with a darker side than we might have expected.
The book is very short; only 167 pages of text. There's nothing in the Genesis years that wasn't already covered in Chapter and Verse; and maybe that has more of interest attributed to Hackett's interviews.
And, finally, his solo years are somewhat sped through as he flies from album to album with not very much in the way of additional commentary.
He also talks a fair amount of mince about the impact of punk. Apart from anything else, the time's where he's quoting this as a constraint on his endeavours just don't tie in.
Despite all that, he comes across a decent type, and one with a darker side than we might have expected.
August 29, 2020
A short but relatively interesting look at the life of Steve Hackett. I didn't know about his spiritual side and his interest in the supernatural. Always instinctively knew he is a gentle soul but a gentle soul who can be ired. Being a fan of the Gabriel era Genesis, I have read about the time when Gabriel left, then when Steve Hackett felt obliged to leave. Glad that he has never left the world of music and continues to tour (although that is all on hold given the current covid-19 situation), covering both his solo work and his time with Genesis.
Ray Smillie
Ray Smillie
February 3, 2021
This isn't a great work of literature, but I presume that's because it's actually written by a guitar player, not a professional author.
It's still clear and eminently readable.
It's better on his early life (which was hard), as his description of his time in Genesis and as a solo artist was sometimes a bit bland, with some of the more interesting revelations reported more than analysed.
That's probabably because he's actually a decent person, who has a commendable tendency to avoid criticising others.
It's still clear and eminently readable.
It's better on his early life (which was hard), as his description of his time in Genesis and as a solo artist was sometimes a bit bland, with some of the more interesting revelations reported more than analysed.
That's probabably because he's actually a decent person, who has a commendable tendency to avoid criticising others.
February 5, 2022
Two stars for the stories contained within. The book itself is poorly written, at times the prose verges on gibberish, with little to no depth or emotion expressed. For example, a 4 month residence in Canada in Steve's early life is over in a couple of pages, despite being referred to towards the end as an eye opening experience. Nad Sylvan, who had worked with Steve for 10 years received a paragraph.
This could have be so much better, Steve should have presented this draft to a ghost writer to flesh out which would have increased the page count and brought some much needed depth to the book.
This could have be so much better, Steve should have presented this draft to a ghost writer to flesh out which would have increased the page count and brought some much needed depth to the book.
April 4, 2022
Steve Hackett is a guitar god. This account of his life, although only really skimming over most of the important and memorable moments and instead focusing on his travels and inspirations, seems a little thin on trivia to me. The period of his divorce from Kim Poor is glossed over in the form of 2 sentences, probably because court orders stipulate as much, and many huge moments seem briefly touched upon.
There are still many great memories here regardless and he comes across as quite a self depracating hero.
A great read nonetheless. Rock on Steve🤘
There are still many great memories here regardless and he comes across as quite a self depracating hero.
A great read nonetheless. Rock on Steve🤘
February 14, 2024
A bit shorter than one might expect. I was kind of hoping it would delve more into Hackett’s solo career. He has done MANY albums, to be fair. And if he decided he wanted to narrow things down to what he felt was most important to write as his life story, I can respect that. You do get a feel of what some of his literary and film tastes are, as well as how relationships between Genesis members were. It’s nice to see how much the classic Genesis material still means to Hackett. He and his band do an incredible job recapturing the magic live.
July 28, 2020
While this short autobiography is written in chronological order - because of the random non sequitur offerings throughout, it made me feel it had the flow of stream-of-consciousness writings done by Dug from Pixar's 'Up'. (Squirrel!)
If you're looking for more in-depth details about Hackett's life: whether about his childhood, his time in Genesis, or his much longer solo career - then you'd be better off looking elsewhere. Really more of a CliffsNotes study of Steve Hackett here.
If you're looking for more in-depth details about Hackett's life: whether about his childhood, his time in Genesis, or his much longer solo career - then you'd be better off looking elsewhere. Really more of a CliffsNotes study of Steve Hackett here.
February 11, 2021
Could have been so much more
Steve Hackett has always been a hero of mine, ever since the selling England album. I was looking forward to Steve demystifying some of his guitar magic and maybe dishing a little bit of dirt along the way!.....unfortunately we get neither. This book is really just Steve thanking people and glossing over stuff
,its a shame really but i guess you cant be both a brilliant guitarist and author at the same time!
Steve Hackett has always been a hero of mine, ever since the selling England album. I was looking forward to Steve demystifying some of his guitar magic and maybe dishing a little bit of dirt along the way!.....unfortunately we get neither. This book is really just Steve thanking people and glossing over stuff
,its a shame really but i guess you cant be both a brilliant guitarist and author at the same time!
July 22, 2021
What a brilliant book by Steve Hackett. Open and honest and with the added chapters, bang up to date. I managed to purchase a signed copy which I will cherish.
Full of funny anecdotes, the book takes you from Steve's childhood years and his love of music via the harmonica, to picking up his first guitar and going on to become not only famous as a member of Genesis, but also for his incredible solo work and amazing shows. The man is a legend. A fantastic read.
Full of funny anecdotes, the book takes you from Steve's childhood years and his love of music via the harmonica, to picking up his first guitar and going on to become not only famous as a member of Genesis, but also for his incredible solo work and amazing shows. The man is a legend. A fantastic read.
December 22, 2021
This book is not for everyone. If you’re not a fan of the art of Hackett and/or the early era Genesis chances are good that you’ll be very bored reading this not really long but interesting autobiography
July 19, 2022
Nice To Meet You
Likely will never meet Steve Hackett, but nevertheless he’s a small but important part of my life as a music fan. It’s nice to have him share these memoirs with me. It makes him three dimensional.
Likely will never meet Steve Hackett, but nevertheless he’s a small but important part of my life as a music fan. It’s nice to have him share these memoirs with me. It makes him three dimensional.
August 6, 2020
A great, if brief, insight into the life and times of Steve Hackett, before, during and after Genesis. More would have been good, but interesting throughout nonetheless.
August 17, 2020
Felt like there really wasn't much to it.
September 7, 2020
Oh Mike, I would be jealous too!
November 15, 2020
Fab guitarist.
Deadly dull writer.
Deadly dull writer.
December 1, 2020
Very disappointing. There is a lot of gaps in this biography. Especially is period with Kim Poor.
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