Genesis

The continual evolution of Genesis helps distinguish them from their Prog Rock contemporaries. Love them or hate them, this band is nothing if not multi-faceted. Original vocalist Peter Gabriel began to innovatively flex his lyrical and performance muscle on such early '70s albums as Foxtrot and Selling England by the Pound. In concert, allegedly to combat shyness, he would wear masks and make-up, use props, and tell stories. Gabriel ended his relationship with the band in 1975, following the release of the incredibly ambitious double album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. When drummer Phil Collins took over vocal duties, Genesis grew to be one of the biggest-selling acts of the '80s, slowly shifting away from art rock and toward highly-produced, pop-oriented fare designed for mass consumption. Genesis still march on today with another singer in tow (Ray Wilson) and compilation releases of rarities and previously unavailable material.