I remember being a young teenage girl lying on my floor with headphones on just listening to Genesis music. I remember the gal who worked at our local record store would compliment my choice of music. I don't think many 12 or 13 year old girls were buying early Genesis music. I connected from early on. Love the interview
@@TheProgCastI'm an avid reader and was brought up in a house where our stereo cost as much, if not more than our cars. I still have my dad's records with a huge range of genre, classical, show tunes, Irish, big band, classic artists of the 40-60's also instrumental music of many kinds. I think they all formed my love of all quality music , that's the wrong word but I listened deeply and tried to hear every note and word.
My dad would always put on "Seconds out" he loved live music. And as a teenager I completely fell in love with "Afterglow" and then that evolved into my love for Genesis❤
I'm Japanese. I'm sorry for poor English. I love Genesis and I love his music! I'm not good at English so I could understand only a little😢 (I have to study more😅) but I was happy that I could listen to his voice and great talk! It's nice❤ I want to understand more so I will listen to this nice video again. Thank you for great interview!!
Very true. One listen to Riding the Skree or the Cinema Show solo is proof of that. It's amazing what he produced with his mix of analog gear and early synth keyboards in the mid 70s.
@@TheProgCast ..and my short kybd diatribe: "Less is more". Banks, Keith and Rick (the big three) all excelled using the old, sometime unreliable gear, hence the romance of it all...the moment they all started adding on digital gear, it started sounding, well...digital? Emerson shoulda stuck with the "BSS" gear, that GX_1 was really a game changer, but not in a good way... And Wakemans entourage of digi keyboards was just silly; the melloton, piano, organ, minimoog were just fine...Banks too; a talent like that should have shuck with setup he had....And, who would abandon a Hammond? They could all offord them....John Medeski is a perfct example... play the old gear!....(Don't get me started on Geoff Downes, the most talentless, unimaginative kybrdist out there; his new organ sounds make Spinal Tap sound like Larry Young)....i'll leave there, as I return to my Buchla system.. PS, I dig you Tube channel.....
I think you've hit a benchmark with this interview, Gregg. Musicians interviewing other musicians is often better anyway, but with your knowledge of the band's repertoire - playing it as well - that made it special, so thank you.
I know the band badmouths it, but I would actually like to hear just an instrumental version, but the lyrics are just perfect, even Pete says he should have edited, but what would he take out?
Great here you saying that. Another great song is Broadway Melody 1974. As soon as Gabriel left they removed the vocal part. I think they are the only four people in the world that see that as an improvement. Still I can see their point. Maybe I would have agreed if I first heard and liked these songs before the lyrics were added.
This is really great. I've seen / listened to lots of Tony Banks (huge fan), and this is likely the best (or top for sure). He can be quite dry sometimes, but here he seems in really good spirits. And I believe a lot has to do with the interviewer. Well informed and good 'rapport'. Congrats!
Tony has always been my favorite contemporary composer. His influence on the keyboard players immense. Don' get me wrong. Wakeman, Emerson, Moraz and others are superb too, but my heart has always been with Genesis.
Thank you so much Gregg, it's always such a joy and a privilege listening to Tony being interviewed, one of the great minds of Progressive Rock, this was excellent!
So happy to hear Tony give props to Steve Hackett on his arranging contribution to firth of fifth and a number of other times. I had the feeling that those guys hated each other, what you may even be true but he was so gracious in this interview. Great job, sir, and I was lucky enough to say TMB a number of times and you were just masterful.
That Gregg, is the perfect example of how to interview one of our true Prog heroes and ensure he wasn't asked the same questions asked for decades! Interesting how Tony spends more time discussing the songs from Genesis 4/5 players rather than Genesis 3 players. I might be wrong, but it suggests his preference for that era. Whatever, great job, sir... 👏👏👏
Thank you so much, Colin! I really appreciate you noticing that. I have seen most of the other interviews, so I knew I had to go somewhere else with the Maestro.
Tony is one of the rare great lead keyboard players, as most of the time the guitarist does leads and there are many famous guitarists. Banks use of triads and arpeggios, along with occasionally using a two handed technique was very creative in the rock genre. If I had a question, it would be to inquire about his use of horror fantasy in songs like Musical box, Giant Hogweed (Gabriel lyrics?), Home by the sea, etc. Horror fantasy is popular in movies, but it is rare in rock music.
Thanks for posting this, Gregg! I really enjoyed it. I particularly like your well-thought-out questions and the general points you like to make to either trigger a good response or to inform us of your personal feelings and love for Genesis. I think most of us that discovered Genesis, especially in the early days, began a true love affair with their music that has stretched to this day.
Brilliant interview. You nudged Tony to go places I have not heard him speak about before. Tony revealed a little more of his full life, beyond music and intertwined with music. Nice job and very deft!
Wow! You’re the drummer with the Musical Box! I had no idea! I’ve loved Genesis for so long and have been listening to your interviews lately. Especially love the long conversation with Andy Partridge! Thanks for keeping it all alive!!!
Thank you so much Gregg. So cool you were with The Musical Box. I saw them once 8 years ago or so doing Selling England and they were great. The Beatles and Genesis( mostly 1970-1977, the TTWT and Duke are Good as well. After that not as much ) are my two favorite Groups All Time. Your interview was excellent, especially The Questions and Discovering different things about Tony I never knew and it was the most comfortable I’ve ever seen Tony in an interview and I’ve seen quite a few. Tony is easily my Favorite Keyboardist with his Beautiful Melodic Chord Changes, Atmosphere, Style, Organ playing, Mellotron, electronic keyboard playing, piano, synths, Incredible Lyrical Songwriting, Composing and underrated Musicianship just in general. He could belt them out as well with The Knife, Fountain of Salmacis, Return Of The Giant Hogweed, Watcher of The Skies, The Lamb title track, Riding The Scree, The Lady Lies, One For The Vine, All in a Mouse’s Night, etc. A Genius Without A Doubt! Thank You 🙏 Again so much for this.
Thank you Phil. I was determined to get into some areas that perhaps had not been covered in the other TB interviews. So glad the hardcore fans are enjoying this one! Don't miss the Hackett interview Episode 38 and please hit us up on Patreon if you'd like to support what we're doing!
2nd Edit: The second part is available - yay!! :D Thanks Gregg! ----------------------- Tony is simply awesome! Edit: Second part still only viewable as a patreon. Anyway, what is it with people talking to Tony using past tense 🤮 I support Tony ! Don't forget to buy his classical albums!
Greg B, thank you very much for this interview. I'm a big fan of this genius. Nice you cite "Me and Sarah Jane". One of the best compositiond of Tony Banks.
Wonderful conversation. The Battle of Epping Forest, though, is possibly my favourite Genesis song! I’ve recently been to Epping Forest, and I could not take the tune out of my mind for days
1000000% genius. The Gabriel/Collins era debates just pain me. I know all too well it isn't Genesis without Mr.BANKS!!!! There is still a level of inventiveness and sophistication in 80s' Genesis, mostly on part of him.
Engaging interview. Loved it. My Tony story goes back to the Duke tour when the night before the Fox theater gig, I saw Tony and his wife coming out of the Phipps Plaza theater(a posh mall) where Empire Strikes Back was playing. They were coming out as my group was going in. Also, I was tripping on blotter and thought it best to allow him his privacy. But, what a surprise to see him pass right by me! Besides, the place was packed and too loud for a compliment. I still regret it. 😆
wow! Tony banks rarely gives an interview these days! obviously you've been in touch with Banks since your days with musical box were recognised so thats really really wicked
Thanks so much Rich. It was quite a thrill to perform all of that early Genesis music in a total and complete presentation for the fans around the world who love it so much.
I’d like to share another Keswick experience on the minuscule off-chance that Tony will see it here. This was at a Hackett gig not long after the infamous “Sum of the Parts” documentary whose editing at least implied TB control issues and a level of conflict behind the SH and PG departures from Genesis. Early in the gig some lout yelled “F__ Tony Banks”. Hackett completely stopped proceedings to say “no, no, no, I can’t have that. Many of the songs you’re going to hear tonight were written by Tony and we’re incredibly privileged to have them”. Then a comment to the effect that he’s proud to call Tony Banks a friend. In an environment where people still need good guys and bad guys in a story, I thought this a poignant moment of class from Hackett when he could easily have ignored it and gone on with the show - as its star, of course.
Tony is such a brilliant writer. Perhaps one of the most profound lyrics I've ever heard by any Human is from "One for the Vine" (Lyrics by Tony Banks) Then, on a distant slope He observed one without hope Flee back up the mountainside He thought he recognised him by his walk And by the way he fell And by the way he *Stood up, and vanished into air*
Awesome interview. At the end I was yelling at the screen for Tony to listen to the Vertigo soundtrack. I might start a petition about it, stay tuned lol
Very good conversation, especially as it weren't the standard questions which have been answered so many times by now. I've been happy and lucky to have seen Genesis in March this year including one of their last London gigs. The end of a fabulous band and era. And I know you from your work with Metheny. It's s a real revelation to me that you played with TMB for some time. I unfortunately missed out on the tours you did with them. How did you get the gig with TMB as I assume this was after Levac left?
Thanks so much for noticing, Santi. I was drumming with TMB after Martin left, yes. There were very few drummers that took prog seriously as a form of repertoire then - years ago, so I guess that's how I got the gig. That, and knowing all the Phil Collins and Bruford parts!
I like how Tony characterizes "The Battle Of Epping Forest" as having successful vocals and a successful instrumental section when isolated from each other, but not working well when mixed together. Which is EXACTLY what I've always thought about that piece. That's not the only Gabriel era Genesis song where the vocals and instruments don't mix very well. I can absolutely see where Tony thinks that the music was ruined by the vocals. IMO, Peter was much better solo than with Genesis, however sacrilegious that may sound to some Genesis fans.
Hey that's nothin'. I saw Genesis in London, Ontario in April 1976, the very first time Phil Collins was the front man with Bill Bruford on drums. That was some show!
man, I would love to ask him about lyrics of Me and Sarah Jane, Evidence of Autumn, Heathaze, Behind the Lines, Mad Man Moon, Snowbound... so many. Guide Vocal!
great stuff Tony, i have always loved your complete honesty with regard to music , both your own and others . People in most cases strive to tell and receive the truth , however when they get just that, the truth, they simply cant handle it. Of all the contributions to that great sound and writing i feel that yours was the most important, however the overall efforts from every single person and the pushing and pulling amongst your band mates was in the end a perfect mix musically. I'm personally disappointed that you guys rode off into the sunset the way you did as it did zero justice , to , say the years 1972 to Duke whenever that was 1982 maybe. There are clearly thousands that dont agree with me , but , thanks for that SPECIAL ten or so years that blew me away . i hope i run into you or Mike one day thanks for the hype
This was great, really enjoy to hear Tony and your questions were excellent. I was watching and reading other interviews (as usual) and i was wondering what was Tony trying to say about guitars, in many he mentioned a few things and then moved on, this interview finally answered that to me, basically "any chord sounds good compared to keyboard" and that's very interesting. 14:58 "I wanna hold your hand", very similar to "where are you my father" on salmacis 37:50 WHATT?? lmao... "bread bin" what??? double glazing is funny, but sheets sound like something else. Also, Calling All Stations has some very bad lyrics "soldier ant" "take in your hands a little ray of light and turn it into a beam that pierces the darkness of the night" wich sounds like Ray being an anime protagonist or something. 42:21 lmao... also, who is adele? 50:39 This is the most unbelievable sentece i have ever heard.
Thank you for listening. So glad to get to the questions Tony has not been asked a million times. Same with my Steve Hackett interview where I ask him about alternate tunings... th-cam.com/video/SPfe5c7trBU/w-d-xo.html
I don't think, even now, that Tony Banks truly realises the huge impact that Genesis had, and continues to have, on the whole 'progressive rock' scene. Genius is so over used but honestly, look at the body of work - Tony Banks - genius
As a musician, a question fascinates me about the music of Genesis. I believe that the early time signatures were fairly straight (4/4, 3/4, even 9/8), but this changed suddenly with Selling England by the Pound. The solo in Cineman Show is in 7/8, and the piano intro of Firth of Fifth broke that so completely by changing many times. After The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, this rhythmic complexity return with Trick of the Tail, with Dance on a Vulcano (7/8) etc. I wonder how that process of "liberating" the rythm happened.
My experience watching The Battle of Epping Forest played by TMB in the Keswick is that it’s the single song that got the most rapturous, ecstatic applause from the crowd - I mean a whole audience of white men in their 50s and 60s completely losing their sh_t beyond anything I saw with the guaranteed eternal crowd pleasers like Supper’s Ready or Firth of Fifth - total mayhem unbecoming of such a crowd. The climax of that song is actually quite a moment. I’ve always thought the human brain more capable of processing many layers of elements than we assume it can - in this instance strawberries and cream with custard on top being just what was called for. I’d be fascinated to know if the TMB members noticed this or if it was lost in the playing or possibly a one-night only phenomenon. If I could beam back to 1973 and tell the band it wasn’t the compositional pig’s ear they’ve been thinking it was, or at least far more effective than they think, then I’d do so.
This was right before the final leg and London shows. We talk about the end of Genesis in part two which is available to patrons... www.patreon.com/theprogcast
@@TheProgCast Thanks very much and I would like to ask you how to go about setting up a Zoom with Tony Banks and I'm from England and I'd like to contact him or write to him. I saw part 2 last night and really loved the interview and both were excellent. Would you be able to do a Zoom also with Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford and Peter Gabriel. Many thanks
Maybe we're lucky and Gregg will upload it later here for non patreons. (Meanwhile, I gave the video a like, disabled my ad blocker and clicked the ad - to give him some revenue - even though the ad suggested I should lose some weight! xD)
You brought out of Tony what outstanding attention to orchestral colours and concern for sounds he had. I can’t think of a single Genesis tune from a large repertoire that contains “dated” synth sounds. Quite remarkable, when his equally famous prog contemporaries all have cringe worthy examples of nearly unlistenable synth patch choices in their back catalogues.
Love Tony’s contributions to the musical universe. Mostly. Great questions many never before asked of him. Awfully funny to hear the always highly opinionated, and hyper-critical Mr. Banks label Ralph VW occasionally “trite” whilst hearing the refrains😅 of “That’s All”. Etc etc in my mind…
I was listening to Lamb lies down, wind and wuthering seconds out when I was in high school in the 80s. Hearing what kids listen to now is, is .. mind boggling! This music is some type of outer space language that they don’t comprehend . If it’s not a simple repetitive, basic elementary synthetic manufactured dumb down rhythm pattern, they’re clueless
I was always getting roasted off my Piano teacher when I was 13 because I hadnt practiced what he had set me. It because I spent the week working out Watcher of the skies intro and Time Table on the piano
Interesting how the 50s were all about the single hits then The Beatles invented the album and now with Spotify brings the single hit again and the album seems something from the past.
It's more like for all culture : a bit of this, a YT video, a bit of that. We tend to picnic. I had the great pleasure in the late 80s of scouring "braderies" (boot sales) and picking-up Genesis 70s vinyle records to then "religiously" listen to them from start to end both sides on the family record player. A complete ceremonium with record inspection and dusting included.
Tony mentions 2001 being his favorite sci-fi movie... and it reminds me of one of my favorite moments in life was seeing that movie high as a kite in the omniverse theater in Philly
Thank you for this. I regard Tony Banks as one of the greatest geniuses in popular music, and it's a pity he doesn't get the credit he deserves.
I remember being a young teenage girl lying on my floor with headphones on just listening to Genesis music. I remember the gal who worked at our local record store would compliment my choice of music. I don't think many 12 or 13 year old girls were buying early Genesis music. I connected from early on. Love the interview
Thank you so much. It's certainly a magical music to discover at such a magical age, isn't it? It colored my world.
i’m a fairly young teenage girl who listens to Genesis, even though you’re past that stage of your life you’re not the only one
@@TheProgCastI'm an avid reader and was brought up in a house where our stereo cost as much, if not more than our cars. I still have my dad's records with a huge range of genre, classical, show tunes, Irish, big band, classic artists of the 40-60's also instrumental music of many kinds. I think they all formed my love of all quality music , that's the wrong word but I listened deeply and tried to hear every note and word.
My dad would always put on "Seconds out" he loved live music.
And as a teenager I completely fell in love with "Afterglow" and then that evolved into my love for Genesis❤
I think I've heard, seen, and read every Tony Banks interview, and this is easily the best.
So kind of you to say. We really try to go deeper here on The ProgCast. So glad you noticed...
I'm Japanese. I'm sorry for poor English.
I love Genesis and I love his music!
I'm not good at English so I could understand only a little😢 (I have to study more😅)
but I was happy that I could listen to his voice and great talk! It's nice❤
I want to understand more so I will listen to this nice video again.
Thank you for great interview!!
So happy to hear from prog fans in Japan! I love Japanese music, esp Boredoms, Takemitsu, and Kaiji Haino - just to start!
Good to hear Genesis is still popular in Japan
- have you ever seen Steve Hackett it Japan?
- he's still a great way to hear the old Genesis!
Shingetsu - Oni is a great prog track from Japan
Japan vinyl is the best
Love how Mr Banks draws the connection between "Watcher" and "Let's Go Away for A While."
That was really cool!.
Brutally honest,humble and informative...quite the GENESIS gentleman...one serious nice guy as well.Thx TB and Gregg!
Stephen Herrick Thanks so much for watching!
Only wish Tony would do something in 2023 with Steve. It would be amazing.
Why
@@anderslarsson7426 Why not? They both influenced each other while Hackett was in Genesis.
Best Rock/Prog Rock keyboardist of all time!
Cannot argue with that Ara! Shnorhakalut’yun!
Thanks for not asking the same old same old questions, very enjoyable listen.
My pleasure. Wanted to get a bit deeper with the Maestro.
I'd love to tell Tony what a massive influence he has been on me as a songwriter. If i could be half as good as him, i'd be a very happy dude.
Same here!
Same here 💙 🎹
Same here as well.
Same here!
Happy The Man!
Tony Banks got more nuance and flavor out of an ARP Pro Soloist than most keyboardist got out of a "bank" of synthesizers....
Could not agree more!
Very true. One listen to Riding the Skree or the Cinema Show solo is proof of that. It's amazing what he produced with his mix of analog gear and early synth keyboards in the mid 70s.
@@TheProgCast ..and my short kybd diatribe: "Less is more". Banks, Keith and Rick (the big three) all excelled using the old, sometime unreliable gear, hence the romance of it all...the moment they all started adding on digital gear, it started sounding, well...digital? Emerson shoulda stuck with the "BSS" gear, that GX_1 was really a game changer, but not in a good way... And Wakemans entourage of digi keyboards was just silly; the melloton, piano, organ, minimoog were just fine...Banks too; a talent like that should have shuck with setup he had....And, who would abandon a Hammond? They could all offord them....John Medeski is a perfct example... play the old gear!....(Don't get me started on Geoff Downes, the most talentless, unimaginative kybrdist out there; his new organ sounds make Spinal Tap sound like Larry Young)....i'll leave there, as I return to my Buchla system.. PS, I dig you Tube channel.....
@@1adneumann i'd throw kerry minnear in there and call it the big four
this interview is very important....and it will be years from now! congrats!!
Tony is a pharaoh
I think you've hit a benchmark with this interview, Gregg. Musicians interviewing other musicians is often better anyway, but with your knowledge of the band's repertoire - playing it as well - that made it special, so thank you.
You are very kind and I appreciate your support more than can know! Please consider our Patreon set up for more TB. www.patreon.com/theprogcast
Tony and those magical chords. Great musician.
The chords of TB are special indeed.
Greatest keyboard player ever.
Can't argue!
Battle of Epping Forest was a fantastic song and one of this group's best. The vocals and music went well together.
It was a joy to really learn it from the outside in. It is a singular achievement in the Genesis book.
I know the band badmouths it, but I would actually like to hear just an instrumental version, but the lyrics are just perfect, even Pete says he should have edited, but what would he take out?
Great here you saying that. Another great song is Broadway Melody 1974. As soon as Gabriel left they removed the vocal part. I think they are the only four people in the world that see that as an improvement. Still I can see their point. Maybe I would have agreed if I first heard and liked these songs before the lyrics were added.
This is absolutely wonderful! Thank you. Tony is a musical genius and living legend.
Thanks for watching!😄
This is really great. I've seen / listened to lots of Tony Banks (huge fan), and this is likely the best (or top for sure). He can be quite dry sometimes, but here he seems in really good spirits. And I believe a lot has to do with the interviewer. Well informed and good 'rapport'. Congrats!
Tony has always been my favorite contemporary composer. His influence on the keyboard players immense. Don' get me wrong. Wakeman, Emerson, Moraz and others are superb too, but my heart has always been with Genesis.
He is a towering presence in contemporary music to be sure.
Don’t forget Eddie Jopson.
Kerry Minnear of Gentle Giant! Not as much of a showman but an incredible rock chamber music composer and instrumentalist!
@@garycitro1674 Kerry, of course!
Tony Banks my favourite musician,gday from Oz.
Thanks for watching!
Thank you so much Gregg, it's always such a joy and a privilege listening to Tony being interviewed, one of the great minds of Progressive Rock, this was excellent!
Thanks so much for watching. More to come if you join our Patreon.
"You have ten fingers, you know?" TB on the rich chord voicings he brought to rock music! Harmonic Master.
Such a great one-liner.
The wonderful Mr Banks! Excellent conversation, thank you. I would seriously be speechless in his company.
He is a bit intimidating but clearly a kind person of substance. Thanks for watching.
So happy to hear Tony give props to Steve Hackett on his arranging contribution to firth of fifth and a number of other times. I had the feeling that those guys hated each other, what you may even be true but he was so gracious in this interview.
Great job, sir, and I was lucky enough to say TMB a number of times and you were just masterful.
That Gregg, is the perfect example of how to interview one of our true Prog heroes and ensure he wasn't asked the same questions asked for decades! Interesting how Tony spends more time discussing the songs from Genesis 4/5 players rather than Genesis 3 players. I might be wrong, but it suggests his preference for that era. Whatever, great job, sir... 👏👏👏
Thank you so much, Colin! I really appreciate you noticing that. I have seen most of the other interviews, so I knew I had to go somewhere else with the Maestro.
@@TheProgCast My pleasure, Gregg. You really did a fantastic job...
Tony is one of the rare great lead keyboard players, as most of the time the guitarist does leads and there are many famous guitarists. Banks use of triads and arpeggios, along with occasionally using a two handed technique was very creative in the rock genre. If I had a question, it would be to inquire about his use of horror fantasy in songs like Musical box, Giant Hogweed (Gabriel lyrics?), Home by the sea, etc. Horror fantasy is popular in movies, but it is rare in rock music.
Had to ask him about sci-fi - was always wondering. Thanks for watching!
@@TheProgCast Wished you had asked him about Star Trek though :b Great interview!
Thanks for posting this, Gregg! I really enjoyed it. I particularly like your well-thought-out questions and the general points you like to make to either trigger a good response or to inform us of your personal feelings and love for Genesis. I think most of us that discovered Genesis, especially in the early days, began a true love affair with their music that has stretched to this day.
Thanks for your kind words. Yes, once they got in at an early age it was a lifetime of love.
True music-lovers become entranced & fall under early Genesis' spell because we know great music when we hear it. (That's me being unbiased)
TB: "I don't know why people think singers do everything." Love it.
That was both poignant and hilarious!
How did I just discover this podcast today?!!? Amazing!
Great. The most interesting interview of TB that I have listening. Just enough of Genesis, lot of interestings facts of this great composer.
Thank you for listening, Stephane. I have admired Tony for so long, it was the interview I dreamed about but also planned for.
Great to see our Keyboard Hero - the one & only Tony B in the seat, fresh from their latest tour! - Love these interviews Gregg!
Thank you, Ursula. So happy you could join us.
Brilliant interview. You nudged Tony to go places I have not heard him speak about before. Tony revealed a little more of his full life, beyond music and intertwined with music. Nice job and very deft!
So glad you noticed and enjoyed. More to come!
What a band!!!! Great job.
Thanks for listening Prog Corner!
Wow!
You’re the drummer with the Musical Box!
I had no idea!
I’ve loved Genesis for so long and have been listening to your interviews lately.
Especially love the long conversation with Andy Partridge!
Thanks for keeping it all alive!!!
Thanks TMB was fun while it lasted. The Andy interview was great fun as was the Hackett.
Nice job Gregg! And you are quite the musician yourself, it was nice to work with you at Progday a few centuries ago 🙂
Thanks Geoffrey. I remember that windy day very well. Focus rocked.
You’re a VERY lucky man, Good Job
I would have to agree. Thanks for listening!
Great,great job on this.Good friday indeed!
Thanks so much. We really appreciate hearing from you!
@@TheProgCast Hi Gregg, You bet i keep an eye on your postings.
Thank you so much Gregg. So cool you were with The Musical Box. I saw them once 8 years ago or so doing Selling England and they were great. The Beatles and Genesis( mostly 1970-1977, the TTWT and Duke are Good as well. After that not as much ) are my two favorite Groups All Time. Your interview was excellent, especially The Questions and Discovering different things about Tony I never knew and it was the most comfortable I’ve ever seen Tony in an interview and I’ve seen quite a few. Tony is easily my Favorite Keyboardist with his Beautiful Melodic Chord Changes, Atmosphere, Style, Organ playing, Mellotron, electronic keyboard playing, piano, synths, Incredible Lyrical Songwriting, Composing and underrated Musicianship just in general. He could belt them out as well with The Knife, Fountain of Salmacis, Return Of The Giant Hogweed, Watcher of The Skies, The Lamb title track, Riding The Scree, The Lady Lies, One For The Vine, All in a Mouse’s Night, etc. A Genius Without A Doubt! Thank You 🙏 Again so much for this.
Thank you Phil. I was determined to get into some areas that perhaps had not been covered in the other TB interviews. So glad the hardcore fans are enjoying this one! Don't miss the Hackett interview Episode 38 and please hit us up on Patreon if you'd like to support what we're doing!
Splendid interview. Thanks.
Thanks for watching!
2nd Edit:
The second part is available - yay!! :D
Thanks Gregg!
-----------------------
Tony is simply awesome!
Edit: Second part still only viewable as a patreon. Anyway, what is it with people talking to Tony using past tense 🤮
I support Tony ! Don't forget to buy his classical albums!
Agreed.
Greg B, thank you very much for this interview. I'm a big fan of this genius. Nice you cite "Me and Sarah Jane". One of the best compositiond of Tony Banks.
Wonderful conversation. The Battle of Epping Forest, though, is possibly my favourite Genesis song! I’ve recently been to Epping Forest, and I could not take the tune out of my mind for days
Great interview from a Prog God!
Thanks for watching.
Just found your channel. Loving this stuff!! So cool
The Musical Box (the band) is THE Genesis re-creator. Saw them in Chicago. Absolutely flawless!!!
Great interview! Thank you for doing this!
Thank you for watching.
Wonderful
Thanks HK!
Fantastic interview. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks!!!
1000000% genius.
The Gabriel/Collins era debates just pain me. I know all too well it isn't Genesis without Mr.BANKS!!!! There is still a level of inventiveness and sophistication in 80s' Genesis, mostly on part of him.
Agreed totally.
Such a fascinating interview that touches on other areas of Tony's interests. Many thanks Gregg.
Thanks for saying Steve. I appreciate it.
Engaging interview. Loved it. My Tony story goes back to the Duke tour when the night before the Fox theater gig, I saw Tony and his wife coming out of the Phipps Plaza theater(a posh mall) where Empire Strikes Back was playing. They were coming out as my group was going in. Also, I was tripping on blotter and thought it best to allow him his privacy. But, what a surprise to see him pass right by me! Besides, the place was packed and too loud for a compliment. I still regret it. 😆
The interview is fantastic with Tony banks have a great weekend
Thanks so much Amin. I really appreciate it.
wow! Tony banks rarely gives an interview these days! obviously you've been in touch with Banks since your days with musical box were recognised so thats really really wicked
I’ve seen you guys. You’re amazing. Saw you at the Keswick in PA.
Thanks so much Rich. It was quite a thrill to perform all of that early Genesis music in a total and complete presentation for the fans around the world who love it so much.
To me "Fountain of Salmacis" is THE most beautiful song ever written by 21 year olds. Genesis were different gravy.... all eras of the band.
Very enjoyable, thank you... loved the musical box too ...saw you guys a couple of times...
Awesome to hear that! Thanks so much.
Great interview. And how overlooked Brian Wilson is. Pet Sounds and SMiLE are Masterpieces in chord construction.
Could not agree more!
Arpeggios on Duke Travels-Dukes End are incredible.
Fab job Gregg! Congrats!!!
Thanks Peter! So glad you enjoyed it.
I grew up in south Jersey!
I saw your drumming on the Trick of the Tail Musical Box show'- I want to say 2016. My first Genesis show was the Trick
I’d like to share another Keswick experience on the minuscule off-chance that Tony will see it here. This was at a Hackett gig not long after the infamous “Sum of the Parts” documentary whose editing at least implied TB control issues and a level of conflict behind the SH and PG departures from Genesis. Early in the gig some lout yelled “F__ Tony Banks”. Hackett completely stopped proceedings to say “no, no, no, I can’t have that. Many of the songs you’re going to hear tonight were written by Tony and we’re incredibly privileged to have them”. Then a comment to the effect that he’s proud to call Tony Banks a friend. In an environment where people still need good guys and bad guys in a story, I thought this a poignant moment of class from Hackett when he could easily have ignored it and gone on with the show - as its star, of course.
This just made my day
Tony is such a brilliant writer. Perhaps one of the most profound lyrics I've ever heard by any Human is from "One for the Vine" (Lyrics by Tony Banks)
Then, on a distant slope
He observed one without hope
Flee back up the mountainside
He thought he recognised him by his walk
And by the way he fell
And by the way he
*Stood up, and vanished into air*
One For The Vine is an all-time TB fave here, too!
Awesome interview. At the end I was yelling at the screen for Tony to listen to the Vertigo soundtrack. I might start a petition about it, stay tuned lol
That was excellent! I hope you may include an interview with Bill Bruford one day! Thank you.
Hey you never know!
T h a n k y o u Gregg! ❤️
My pleasure Alessandro!
And there's me thinking that the busyness of the lyrics on The Battle of Epping Forest was because there was a battle going on.
Ah! Yes.
3:15 I was expecting "Can you tell me where my country lies? He even seem to be singing it 😄
I was waiting for that too!
Very good conversation, especially as it weren't the standard questions which have been answered so many times by now. I've been happy and lucky to have seen Genesis in March this year including one of their last London gigs. The end of a fabulous band and era.
And I know you from your work with Metheny. It's s a real revelation to me that you played with TMB for some time. I unfortunately missed out on the tours you did with them. How did you get the gig with TMB as I assume this was after Levac left?
Thanks so much for noticing, Santi. I was drumming with TMB after Martin left, yes. There were very few drummers that took prog seriously as a form of repertoire then - years ago, so I guess that's how I got the gig. That, and knowing all the Phil Collins and Bruford parts!
cheers
I like how Tony characterizes "The Battle Of Epping Forest" as having successful vocals and a successful instrumental section when isolated from each other, but not working well when mixed together. Which is EXACTLY what I've always thought about that piece.
That's not the only Gabriel era Genesis song where the vocals and instruments don't mix very well. I can absolutely see where Tony thinks that the music was ruined by the vocals.
IMO, Peter was much better solo than with Genesis, however sacrilegious that may sound to some Genesis fans.
Hey that's nothin'. I saw Genesis in London, Ontario in April 1976, the very first time Phil Collins was the front man with Bill Bruford on drums. That was some show!
Wow! That is an iconic moment in Genesis history. So lucky you could be there!!!
@@TheProgCast It was incredible watching Bruford and Collins drum together.
#ILoveYouTony 💛 #ThankYou 🎶🎹🎶
man, I would love to ask him about lyrics of Me and Sarah Jane, Evidence of Autumn, Heathaze, Behind the Lines, Mad Man Moon, Snowbound... so many. Guide Vocal!
Wish could get to it all, but of course Mr Banks has limits to his free time...
i think Mike wrote Behind the Lines, but yeah i agree
@@Yakkymania OH! That's interesting. How did you find that out?
Mike wrote Snowbound as well as the lyrics to Behind the Lines.
great stuff Tony, i have always loved your complete honesty with regard to music , both your own and others . People in most cases strive to tell and receive the truth , however when they get just that, the truth, they simply cant handle it. Of all the contributions to that great sound and writing i feel that yours was the most important, however the overall efforts from every single person and the pushing and pulling amongst your band mates was in the end a perfect mix musically. I'm personally disappointed that you guys rode off into the sunset the way you did as it did zero justice , to , say the years 1972 to Duke whenever that was 1982 maybe. There are clearly thousands that dont agree with me , but , thanks for that SPECIAL ten or so years that blew me away .
i hope i run into you or Mike one day
thanks for the hype
My three top pianists/keyboardists of all time:
1. Tigran Hamasyan
2. Lyle Mays
3. Tony Banks
That is a very cool top three!
This was great, really enjoy to hear Tony and your questions were excellent.
I was watching and reading other interviews (as usual) and i was wondering what was Tony trying to say about guitars, in many he mentioned a few things and then moved on, this interview finally answered that to me, basically "any chord sounds good compared to keyboard" and that's very interesting.
14:58 "I wanna hold your hand", very similar to "where are you my father" on salmacis
37:50 WHATT?? lmao... "bread bin" what??? double glazing is funny, but sheets sound like something else. Also, Calling All Stations has some very bad lyrics "soldier ant" "take in your hands a little ray of light and turn it into a beam that pierces the darkness of the night" wich sounds like Ray being an anime protagonist or something.
42:21 lmao... also, who is adele?
50:39 This is the most unbelievable sentece i have ever heard.
Thank you for listening. So glad to get to the questions Tony has not been asked a million times. Same with my Steve Hackett interview where I ask him about alternate tunings... th-cam.com/video/SPfe5c7trBU/w-d-xo.html
@@TheProgCast I'll watch it, already on my watch later playlist... tomorrow maybe, its 23:48 here... good night i guess!
I don't think, even now, that Tony Banks truly realises the huge impact that Genesis had, and continues to have, on the whole 'progressive rock' scene. Genius is so over used but honestly, look at the body of work - Tony Banks - genius
As a musician, a question fascinates me about the music of Genesis. I believe that the early time signatures were fairly straight (4/4, 3/4, even 9/8), but this changed suddenly with Selling England by the Pound. The solo in Cineman Show is in 7/8, and the piano intro of Firth of Fifth broke that so completely by changing many times. After The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, this rhythmic complexity return with Trick of the Tail, with Dance on a Vulcano (7/8) etc. I wonder how that process of "liberating" the rythm happened.
Excellent area of inquiry. I think Phil brought a lot of that to the band's approach.
My experience watching The Battle of Epping Forest played by TMB in the Keswick is that it’s the single song that got the most rapturous, ecstatic applause from the crowd - I mean a whole audience of white men in their 50s and 60s completely losing their sh_t beyond anything I saw with the guaranteed eternal crowd pleasers like Supper’s Ready or Firth of Fifth - total mayhem unbecoming of such a crowd. The climax of that song is actually quite a moment. I’ve always thought the human brain more capable of processing many layers of elements than we assume it can - in this instance strawberries and cream with custard on top being just what was called for. I’d be fascinated to know if the TMB members noticed this or if it was lost in the playing or possibly a one-night only phenomenon. If I could beam back to 1973 and tell the band it wasn’t the compositional pig’s ear they’ve been thinking it was, or at least far more effective than they think, then I’d do so.
I'm a Bergen County boy.
Thoroughly enjoyed it and I do hope genesis do something in the future. Was this interview done after the recent tour?
This was right before the final leg and London shows. We talk about the end of Genesis in part two which is available to patrons... www.patreon.com/theprogcast
@@TheProgCast Thanks very much and I would like to ask you how to go about setting up a Zoom with Tony Banks and I'm from England and I'd like to contact him or write to him. I saw part 2 last night and really loved the interview and both were excellent. Would you be able to do a Zoom also with Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford and Peter Gabriel. Many thanks
@@TheProgCast Can you interview Mike Rutherford.
Ok, i have never used Patreon in my life, but i'm willing to pay and learn if you asked Tony about "Who Dunnit?" *and* "Calling All Stations".
Maybe we're lucky and Gregg will upload it later here for non patreons. (Meanwhile, I gave the video a like, disabled my ad blocker and clicked the ad - to give him some revenue - even though the ad suggested I should lose some weight! xD)
Patreon helps us keep the lights on and the level high, you guys!
@@TheProgCast but same do the ads, likes and subs and other videos are fully viewable!
2001 and Bladerunner standouts for me. Also Stalker by Tarkovsky also a standout.
Great sci-fi stuff. Wish we could have had more time but check out the last hour on Patreon. www.patreon.com/theprogcast
🤗 #ILOVETONYBANKSSOMUCH 💛
i wouldnt change one thing on any song that genesis ever wrote..........they are masterpeices
Wouldn't know where to start. They are perfect.
You brought out of Tony what outstanding attention to orchestral colours and concern for sounds he had. I can’t think of a single Genesis tune from a large repertoire that contains “dated” synth sounds. Quite remarkable, when his equally famous prog contemporaries all have cringe worthy examples of nearly unlistenable synth patch choices in their back catalogues.
Love Tony’s contributions to the musical universe. Mostly. Great questions many never before asked of him. Awfully funny to hear the always highly opinionated, and hyper-critical Mr. Banks label Ralph VW occasionally “trite” whilst hearing the refrains😅 of “That’s All”. Etc etc in my mind…
The wonderful Tony Banks. Great christian name too 😄
Thanks for listening!
Will we ever see Part 2?
Join The ProgCast's Patreon - totally worth a few bucks to see it and to support Gregg's special brand of interviews.
I was listening to Lamb lies down, wind and wuthering seconds out when I was in high school in the 80s. Hearing what kids listen to now is, is .. mind boggling! This music is some type of outer space language that they don’t comprehend . If it’s not a simple repetitive, basic elementary synthetic manufactured dumb down rhythm pattern, they’re clueless
Genesis stands the test of time, does it not?
I was always getting roasted off my Piano teacher when I was 13 because I hadnt practiced what he had set me. It because I spent the week working out Watcher of the skies intro and Time Table on the piano
A great interview. Bernard Herrmann was not British, though.
Interesting how the 50s were all about the single hits then The Beatles invented the album and now with Spotify brings the single hit again and the album seems something from the past.
And the same emotional denial of the 50s in people...
It's more like for all culture : a bit of this, a YT video, a bit of that. We tend to picnic.
I had the great pleasure in the late 80s of scouring "braderies" (boot sales) and picking-up Genesis 70s vinyle records to then "religiously" listen to them from start to end both sides on the family record player. A complete ceremonium with record inspection and dusting included.
Battle of epping forest is not too much for me.
☎
Thank you for listening!
women's hair dye works best
Tony mentions 2001 being his favorite sci-fi movie... and it reminds me of one of my favorite moments in life was seeing that movie high as a kite in the omniverse theater in Philly