That Was Genesis
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By skinner_jennifer
- 2158 reads
Dear diary...so much time has elapsed in my life, filled with moving around a lot, but now I'm older and more settled it hardly seems possible that many of those old friends who said we'd stay in contact forever, have now sadly gone.
Yet! As Samhain comes around again, whispers from across the years surface for me, recapturing kindred spirits...if only in my mind, old friends who ignited my passion for music, or was it the voice in my head that murmured softly as Shakespeare once said: 'If music be the food of love, play on,' sparking my appetite for that soulful proof of who I am today.
Those promising pleasures are set in motion, appearing each time I hear spiral of notes from far back that corkscrew their way; overflowing out of every orifice in my body, like the audience rising at a sensational, euphoric performance; calling out for more. So too in ecstatic bliss do the hairs on my arms rise to attention becoming noticeable, while guitars gently carry me on a journey, mellow voices flying my spirit through rainbow coloured notes into absolute ecstasy of fairy tale magical joy.
Suddenly I'm back there, it's October 23rd 1973 at the Liverpool Empire, I'm nineteen with teenage hormones raging for the boy of my dreams, blowing kisses in my mind to the long, dark haired Peter Gabriel, his alluring eyes absorbed me instantly, as dramatic gestures wrapped around myself. I was captivated by Peter's individual; enigmatic weaving of stories within the music, knowing his distinctive changes of character was so unique...he was adored and respected by me. I hoped one day I'd meet and fall in love with him, but of course I knew I'd never be worthy of such a genius; though it's great to dream.
I didn't have too many aspirations back then, but if I had set myself goals, nothing would get in the way till I'd achieved my dreams, which I'll admit didn't always work out, but still with tenacity, clinging with purpose, disappointment never entered my mind till too late, then I'd curl up in my shell and mend my broken ego.
Recently listening to: Nursery Cryme from 1971, which is one of my favourite albums by Genesis, just gave me shivers hearing again. It's music that emanates ethereal voices with the cadence of Phil Collins drums, that would send me into raptures. Recalling sitting close to the front of the stage at Liverpool Empire. Tony banks transforming keyboards, blending so well, evoking rivers sometimes gently flowing, lilting sounds then swiftly gushing over boulders, as well as washing over my skin, swooping once again like an eagle.
Luxuriating in stirring guitars that dip into creeks, and the crevices of my own body, eagerly longing to hold onto the moment; drawn by the energy of youth, with my then way out boyfriend, a self taught guitar musician. It was his nineteenth birthday and we'd been looking forward to this night with our faithful tickets for weeks.
The relationship with my friend was a strange one, because I had feelings for him, but he just wanted friendship, so I settled for whatever I could get. I have to say one of the reasons he was so attractive to me, was because he reminded me so much of the young Peter Gabriel, with his jet black long hair that would drift across his face when getting carried away by the incredible melodious – lyrics outpouring through our imaginations.
Never one for hiding in shadows, my then tall boyfriend who constantly lit josh sticks and wore patchouli, always hypnotized me with his incense, I just couldn't get enough of the calming fragrance...or him for that matter, dressed in his black loons and top to match.
He would get his sister to apply purple streaks to his already gorgeous dark hair, then with a touch of black nail varnish and black eyeliner we would hit the music scene. I was so proud to be seen with him. The goths thought they'd invented all this wild makeup, but Peter Gabriel and my boyfriend were way ahead of their time.
We were the freaks of the day, following bands like Genesis; Hawkwind, Wishbone Ash wherever we could. Money wasn't too much of an issue at this time, as I was working in an office, and my then boyfriend had a job as a carpenter, so we were more or less paid weekend hippy freaks. Neither of us liked our jobs, but it was a means to an end, and meant we got to travel all over the place.
I spent many a happy journey traveling back and fourth from Bristol to Flint. There was a pub close to the station, but I can't recall the name, I just remember the bar always being packed out with young people just like us, listening to those original progressive far out sounds. They even sat on the beer stained floor throughout the bar with lively chatting trying to rise above the loud music.
So with a taste for freedom, music and of course guys and girls flirting, life was just one big constant weekend party, with that feeling of belonging; which was measure of just how important that time was. I'll won't forget never wanting it to end.
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Comments
I love reading diaries.
A long, long time ago I worked on ships. Working and living with people in such close proximity for six to eight months at a time whilst thousands of miles from home made me feel I got a deep understanding of, and closeness to, colleagues that I couldn’t imagine getting in any other form of employment. Then, at the end of their stint, these people would go home for a couple of months’ leave before being sent off to work on a different ship, so there was always a strong possibility that we would never meet again.
On my first ever ship I became particularly friendly with an electrician from Belfast. He was hilariously funny and he could sing from his head all the old Irish songs that I had grown up with. If we had lived on the land, we probably would have been friends for life. His time on the ship finished a few weeks before I was due to go home and the day he left I suggested exchanging addresses so that we could keep in touch. Being a few years older than me and a more experienced seafarer, he told me not to be soft and declined the offer. He went on to say that if I spent all my life staying in touch with people who I had known in the past I would have no time to enjoy the people I was with in the present.
I considered his words to be very wise and adopted this policy myself for years as I flitted from job to job, town to town and eventually even to another country to live. But now I have time to sit and think about all those people who I knew in the past. We had so many good times together but we lost touch and now I miss them. I’ve recently discovered that someone who was a great friend when I was living in London in the mid 1980s died a few years ago. I feel desperately sad now when I think of her. I wish I’d tried harder to continue our friendship.
The Irish electrician wasn’t completely right and I haven’t seen him since he left our ship in Indonesia in 1976. I wonder where he is. I wonder where everybody else is who I have spent time with, laughing until we cried. When I think back I don’t quite laugh and I don’t quite cry; but it’s a near thing.
Also, I understand your situation with Peter Gabriel. For a while I was the same with Kate Bush. What a foursome we would have made!
Turlough
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A very enjoyable diary entry.
A very enjoyable diary entry. Just before my time musically but loved the detail in this. Some big names in there. Never really got into Genesis and may have come to appreciate Wishbone Ash and Hawkwind if I had put my mind to it
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A lovely reminiscence
Especially for those of us of a 'certain age'.
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I love reading your diary
I love reading your diary entries, Jenny, what a person you are, open as a flower to every experience, and then passing it all on to someone like me, who could only dream of such courage
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I did enjoy your piece Jenny,
I did enjoy your piece Jenny, because I too am a Genesis fan, and Hawkwind, and Wishbone Ash, along with many others too, so I was interested to hear your experiences. I have seen all 3 of them in the early eighties, although I was too young to have known or seen anything of them in 1973. I found your account of being a fan and the times then interesting and thought provoking! There surely was something very special about that period, particularly artistically and musically!
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I'm not much of a music man,
I'm not much of a music man, Jenny, but it's the life that gets us.
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Hi Jenny
Hi Jenny
I missed this back when it was posted. It is such fun to read. You did have an interesting life, and no doubt still do. I too find that songs I hear take me back to something that happened in the past, usually with very pleasant memories.
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