Genesis Live

Genesis Live is the first live album by Genesis, released on 20 July 1973.

The band followed their UK tour with dates in France, Italy and Germany before a second visit to the U.S. in the middle of 1973. They also took in dates in Canada for the first time. With a heavy touring schedule and a lack of new material, they followed Foxtrot with their first ever official live album, simply titled Genesis Live. It was released on 20 July 1973 to allow the band complete their next studio work, Selling England by the Pound. It was also an offering to band's fans following the cancellation of a concert at the Empire Pool, Wembley on 25 May.

It was suggested to the band that the album be drawn from tapes recorded by King Biscuit for their American radio show. The recordings originate from two concerts — The Free Trade Hall, Manchester, 24 February 1973 and De Montfort Hall, Leicester, two days later. While the band had never intended for the tapes to be used for a commercial release, they were still persuaded by Charisma label that this would help build their reputation due to their strong live following and powerful performances.

An initial test pressing of this album is reputed to have been carried out as a three-sided album including even "Supper's Ready" and Gabriel's in-between song stories, though there are no proven evidences of such a pressing to be circulated among the fans. It is know that the band were unhappy with the live version of "Supper's Ready" from those shows, so, at least in the final pressings there are no traces of this epic track.

Track listing
All songs written by Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett and Mike Rutherford.

Side one

 * 1) "Watcher Of The Skies" – 8:34
 * 2) "Get 'Em Out By Friday" – 9:14
 * 3) "The Return Of The Giant Hogweed" – 8:14

Side two

 * 1) "The Musical Box" – 10:56
 * 2) "The Knife" – 9:47

Personnel

 * Peter Gabriel – lead vocals, flute, tambourine, bass drum
 * Tony Banks – Hammond, Mellotron, Hohner Pianet, 12-string guitar, backing vocals
 * Steve Hackett – lead guitar
 * Mike Rutherford – Dewtron "Mister Bassman" bass pedal synthesizer, bass guitar, 12-string guitar, backing vocals
 * Phil Collins – drums, percussion, backing vocals