Genesis

Hailing from Hatfield, Hertfordshire, guitarist Mick Taylor and brothers John Glascock and Brian Glascock, bass and drums respectively, were originally in groups as schoolmates. Adding Ken Hensley on keyboards and vocals, they changed their name to The Gods in 1965. Taylor soon left to join John Mayall's Bluesbreakers (replacing Peter Green), while the Glascocks also strayed from the band. In Autumn 1967, Hensley, with Joe Konas on guitar, Lee Kerslake on drums and a returning John Glascock (replacing interims Paul Newton and Greg Lake), kept it together long enough for a residency at the Marquee Club and an album with Columbia Records. Produced by David Paramour (Simon Dupree, Koobas, Cliff Bennett) and engineered by EMI Studio's Peter Vince, Genesis is a fantastic slice of late 60s psychedelic rock, complete with inter-song transitions. The 60s vibe is evident on "Candles Getting Shorter," but added Mellotron is a nice touch. "Looking Glass" is the veritable classic: riding a sturdy Hammond organ, it features Hensley's distinctive falsetto and those trademark harmonies that would make Uriah Heep what it became. "Plastic Horizon" drags a bit, but the psychedelic romp of "Farthing Man" quickly picks up the pace. The album is spirited throughout and features superb songwriting from Hensley and Konas, forming a blueprint for Hensley's later success. But a single of The Beatles' "Hey Bulldog" b/w "Real Love Guaranteed" didn't chart, and by the time their second (also excellent) album To Samuel A Son was released in late 1969 the band had all but split. They released a one-off album as Head Machine in 1970, but that too failed to generate interest. Konas immigrated to Canada, while the other members joined rocker Cliff Bennett and regrouped as Toe Fat, releasing two albums of pedestrian rock.