GENESIS

Genesis released four studio albums in the eighties (Duke in 1980, Abacab in 1981, Genesis in 1983, and Invisible Touch in 1986), each more popular than the last. There was also a double live album, Three Sides Live, in 1982 that was also successful. Duke was warmly received by fans and critics, and  spawned not only the popular group of songs known as the "Duke Suite," but also the smash single, "Misunderstanding," one of the two songs on the LP written by Collins.

All of the album's other songs were written by Banks and Rutherford. 1981’s Abacab was notable for its richer than usual production style and a hit collaboration with the Earth, Wind & Fire horn section on the single "No Reply at All".  1983's Genesis album became the band’s third consecutive #1 in the UK, and was also a big seller here, spawning their first U.S. Top Ten single, “That’s All.” The album’s other singles, "Mama" and "Illegal Alien” were popular in the U.S., but far more so elsewhere in the world.

Between Genesis albums, Phil Collins had been releasing solo records. Both 1981’s Face Value and 1982’s Hello, I Must Be Going! were successful and contained several hit singles ( “In the Air Tonight”, “I Don’t Care Anymore”, “You Can’t Hurry Love”). However, Collins’ 1985 LP, No Jacket Required was his smash, hitting #1 in at least 10 countries and spawning four huge singles: “Susudio” (#1), “One More Night” (#1), “Don’t Lose My Number” (#4), and “Take me Home” (#7). In the midst of all of this popularity, Collins’ band, Genesis would release their true breakthrough LP in the U.S.

1986’s Invisible Touch was Genesis’ biggest album to date, containing five U.S. Top 5 singles: "Throwing It All Away", "In Too Deep", "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight", "Land of Confusion" and "Invisible Touch".  The band seemed like they were everywhere at this time: the singles’ videos received heavy MTV rotation (especially "Land of Confusion" and "Invisible Touch"), they became the first band to play four sold out consecutive nights at Wembley Stadium, and several of the album’s songs were used in TV shows (“Miami Vice” and “Magnum, P.I.”), film (Mona Lisa), and commercials.  Invisible Touch was Genesis’ final album of the 1980’s, and it was enough, as the record stayed on the charts for two years and the band spent the rest of the decade touring and doing charity shows.

Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me - a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:13