Peter Gabriel - lead vocals; Phil Collins - drums, vocals; Tony Banks - keyboards; Steve Hackett - guitar; Mike Rutherford - bass, guitar, vocals
This show has been counted among the "Holy Grail" items for Genesis fans, as it's rumored to be one of the only professional recordings made on the band's final tour with Peter Gabriel. Recorded on the band's celebrated 1975 Lamb Lies Down on Broadway tour, this show features the entire Lamb rock opera, plus an encore of the band's classic 1971 opus, "The Musical Box."
This show, recorded for the King Biscuit Flower Hour, was taken from a tour that was particularly interesting for the fact that Peter Gabriel had informed the band he was leaving to pursue a solo career before either the album had been released or the tour had commenced. In order to maximize the momentum of the band at that time, it was agreed that Gabriel's impending departure would be kept a well guarded secret. Therefore, he had to spend a year with the band knowing he was leaving as soon as the tour was over. Despite the fact - or perhaps as a result of it - Gabriel and the band deliver a spectacular performance here at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium, highlighted by Peter's legendary visual theatrics. Included here is a blistering version of "Back In New York City," as well as the album's hit single, "The Carpet Crawlers."
Credit must also be given to keyboardist Tony Banks, who was the real musical heart and soul of early Genesis and their classic progressive rock music. Phil Collins, who would step up front soon after and take Genesis to much greater commercial success as the new lead singer, was waiting in the wings for his turn as front man. For this show, he was simply the drummer in the band.