Though perhaps less well-known than his Genesis bandmates Phil Collins or Peter Gabriel, Steven Hackett is heralded for his work in the band. (Steve Hackett)
Nearly five decades after The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway captivated Montreal fans, former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett is set to bring the music back to life. The British musician will perform selections from the landmark 1975 double album during a special concert at Salle Wilfrid Pelletier on October 9.
Hackett, who left Genesis in 1977, remains one of the strongest champions of the band’s progressive rock legacy. Speaking ahead of the show, he reflected on the enduring impact of the record — and his frustrations with the long-delayed reissue project.
A Masterpiece Still Waiting for Reissue
Released in 1974, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway was hailed as a daring creative triumph. For many fans, it remains Genesis’s most ambitious work. Like many classic albums, it has been earmarked for remastering and re-release. Yet Hackett says fans should not expect it anytime soon.
“It’s moving at the pace of a snail,” he said. “I can’t control it. I’ve learned not to get my hopes up.”
The guitarist explained that too many contributors slow the process. Though archivists are reportedly fine-tuning old recordings and demos, Hackett himself has no direct role in the project.
Focusing on the Stage, Not the Studio
While reissues linger in limbo, Hackett has taken matters into his own hands. He continues to tour with his solo band, breathing fresh life into Genesis classics. In Montreal, he plans to perform nine songs from The Lamb, carefully chosen highlights rather than the entire story-driven album.
“I’ve selected the most musical, stand-alone pieces,” he said. “They’re the tracks that shine outside the narrative.”
Steve Hackett performs on stage with his band. They are all coming to Montreal in October. (Seve Hackett)
The setlist will also feature other fan favourites, including the prog-rock epic Firth of Fifth. Hackett calls its soaring guitar solo the most famous of his career. “I can’t escape it,” he admitted with a smile.
Other Genesis staples such as Supper’s Ready and material from Selling England by the Pound will also be part of the evening.
A Lesser-Known Torchbearer
Hackett’s name may not resonate as widely as Phil Collins or Peter Gabriel, both of whom achieved global fame in the 1980s. Yet among purists, Hackett is regarded as the true torchbearer of Genesis’s progressive era.
“Genesis fans often split into two camps,” he explained. “Some love the later, chart-friendly hits. Others stay loyal to the early progressive work. I’ve chosen to keep carrying that torch.”
Remembering the Genesis Years
Formed in the late 1960s, Genesis crafted intricate, genre-blending albums like Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, and Selling England by the Pound. Hackett joined in 1971 and quickly became central to the band’s experimental sound.
He stresses that The Lamb was not the work of one man, despite its heavy association with Peter Gabriel’s storytelling. “It was a group effort,” Hackett said. “Everyone contributed ideas, and that’s why it became a double album.”
A Relentless Solo Career
Since leaving Genesis, Hackett has released around 30 solo albums, beginning with Voyage of the Acolyte in 1975. His most recent release, The Circus and the Nightwhale, came out earlier this year.
At 74, he has no plans to retire. “Music is the drug that keeps me going,” he said. “As long as it does, I’ll keep playing.”
For Montreal fans, Hackett’s return is more than a concert. It is a rare chance to hear Genesis’s most daring work reimagined by the guitarist who helped create it.
