Peter Gabriel Attends Genesis’ Final Concert
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Genesis played the final show in their illustrious career to a sold-out crowd at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night. Among the notable guests in attendance? Genesis’ original frontman, Peter Gabriel.
Gabriel famously departed Genesis in 1975, and hadn’t played with the band since a one-off reunion in 1982. Though he also chose to sit out of the band’s “The Last Domino?” reunion tour, he was on-hand Saturday to cheer on former bandmates Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford, and Tony Banks. Collins and Gabriel also posed for a photograph backstage with the band’s longtime friend and tour manager, Richard McPhail.
During Genesis’ 23-song set, Collins acknowledged Gabriel’s presence in the crowd by joking that he was the one shouting to hear “Supper’s Ready.”
Below, you can see fan-captured footage from the concert, including Collins’ announcement that this would be the final show ever played by Genesis (“After tonight we all have to get real jobs,” Collins quipped). You can also revisit our review of the band’s reunion show at Madison Square Garden last December.
Phil Collins ‘Not as Strong’ as Peter Gabriel Remembers During Genesis’ Last Concert, Singer Recalls
(Photo : JACQUES DEMARTHON/AFP via Getty Images and Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for SiriusXM )
Former Genesis singer Peter Gabriel recalled the last time he played with the band and saw Phil Collins before announcing his retirement.
Genesis held the final show of its 47 dates tours on March 26, 2022. The emotional farewell concert, which was part of its The Last Domino? Tour, ended at London’s 02 Arena.
At that time, Gabriel did not perform with the band but chose to attend as an audience and cheer his former bandmates Collins, Tony Banks, and Mike Rutherford.
Phil Collins’ Health Deteriorated Amid Genesis Concert
Recalling that time, the singer sat for an interview with Uncut and shared what he thought of Collins upon seeing him.
For what it’s worth, the former Genesis drummer decided to retire as his health continuously deteriorated in the past years. According to Gabriel, Collins did not look as healthy as he could remember him.
“There’s a lot of history there,” he said. “It was lovely to see Phil [Collins] again, though he wasn’t as strong as I remember him. But it brought back a lot of memories. I was very glad I was there. I had been there at the beginning, so I should be there at the end.”
Collins first sparked retirement rumors when he appeared on “BBC Breakfast” in September 2021. He told the show that he had been struggling with playing the drums as he could barely hold the sticks with his hands.
Per Collins, he dislocated some vertebrae in his upper neck during the last Genesis tour. The health issue affected his hands. Although the surgery on his neck was successful, he was yet to regain his hands’ function.
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The neck injury even contributed to the pain he has been feeling due to the spinal injury he sustained following repeated damage to his vertebrae. It worsened over time because of the position he followed while playing the drums.
Peter Gabriel Having More Fun Being a Soloist Than in a Band
Gabriel left Genesis in 1975 but joined the members during the band’s reunion in 1982. Since his departure, he started focusing on solo endeavors instead.
Ahead of the release of his new album, “i/o,” the singer said he enjoys his career outside a band.
He told the news outlet that he fell in love with the freedom of being able to control everything he wants: what, when, and how he wants them.
Aside from his new album, Gabriel will also start his tour this year.
