The idea of writing for an orchestra had been in my mind since the recording of the music soundtrack for the film The Wicked Lady (1983). At that time I had an existing piano piece which became the main theme, that took on a whole new character when it was orchestrated. This inspired me to want to create more music this way using only an orchestra. Show less «

My role is definitely as a writer. I'm not a very natural performer.

There's an awful lot of people out there who like us, it's just a matter of finding them.

I have always loved classical music and the sound of an orchestra.

[on "Shortcut to Somewhere", his collaboration with Marillion singer Fish in 1986] I like the voice although it obviously bears a lot of resemblance to Peter (Peter Gabriel) - but a lot of that is down to the choice of words and things. In fact he's got a versatile voice but he doesn't try to sound like Peter - that's just the way it comes out - I've been watching him doing it. For example, the song we've got is reminiscent of something almost off 'The Lamb', it works quite well. Unfortunately the Americans seemed less keen on it because they had no idea who Fish was, and the fact that anyone should be called Fish was even stranger still! But over here - well we'll see when the album comes out - it may be taken more seriously. It's a good song and I'd like to see it do something. Show less «

I think the fact that we (Genesis) were all in our thirties by the time we became really successful was a great help. To this day we've never had an argument about money. Show less «

[on Phil Collins] I think he gets an undeserved amount of stick but it seems to be there are certain people who get that in all fields of entertainment. Show less «

[on Genesis's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010)] I don't feel a great need to play. I'm happy just to drink. Show less «

Once we were down to a three-piece with Phil (Phil Collins) as a fully participating songwriter, we started writing everything in the studio. And the songs tended to be more spontaneous. It seemed to bring out the best in us, individually and collectively. Show less «

If you get too popular then, yes, you're going to be seen to sell out. But selling out to me implies doing something which you don't believe in and you're compromising in certain ways, and I never did that. Show less «

[in 1984] In the States obviously we're playing big places all the time, between 10 and 20 thousand people, and in order to look like something in those kind of size halls you've got to put on some kind of a show, and a lot of equipment, and it does cost a lot to carry it around. Show less «

It's funny how seriously most people take lyrics. I consider lyrics secondary to music, barring an exception like Paul Simon, who writes great lyrics. This group is as popular as it is because of the music. Show less «

[speaking in 2004] We don't seem to have many friends. If we're played on the radio now, it's only four or five hits we had in the eighties. That's Genesis as far as most people are concerned. Show less «

I think of all the albums I have heard in recent years I'm always surprised by 'And Then There Were Three'. I like it more than I think I'm going to. I sometimes dismiss it from my mind, but it contains three of the best songs I've written for the band. Show less «