EXCLUSIVE: Former Genesis singer Ray Wilson has blamed founder guitarist Mike Rutherford for the failure of the iconic group to record a follow up to 1997's 'Calling All Stations'. Scotsman Ray fronted the band between 1997 and 1999, recording with them for what has to date, proved their final studio album.
By Eamon O'Neill on 6th June 2016.
EXCLUSIVE: Singer Ray Wilson has singled out guitarist Mike Rutherford as the reason that Genesis failed to deliver a follow-up to 1997 release ‘Calling All Stations’, calling his current relationship with the band “kindergarten stuff”. Ray, who succeeded Phil Collins, fronted the iconic band from 1997-1999, for what has thus far, been their final studio release.
Speaking exclusively to eonmusic during an interview which is due to be published in full later this week, the Scotsman said of his tenure with the group: “When I signed my contract to join the band, it was for two albums. It was always the idea to do the first and then go from there, [but] Mike Rutherford changed his mind; that’s exactly what happened”.
Going on to explain what he believed were the founder member’s reasons for not wanting to continue, Ray was emphatic: “I think he felt he didn’t have the stamina to do another one. All of a sudden you’re faced with going from fifteen million albums [sales] to two and a half, and I think he couldn’t find it in himself to do the next one”, he opined.
Expressing his disappointment at never having been allowed the opportunity to record with the band again, Wilson continued: “It’s a great shame, because I think we could have at least recorded it. Even if it hadn’t been very good, we didn’t need to release it, but we should have at least sat down together and continued the process, because I think we really became a band after the tour”.
Wilson and Genesis parted ways after the tour for ‘Calling All Stations’ was completed in 1998, and the singer now says that his relationship with the iconic act is strained, citing their apparent want to ignore his time with them as the source of his ire. Said Ray: “They kind of try to brush it under the carpet a little bit. Even though I believe it was the fourth best-selling album of their history, they seem to kind of try and get rid of it”.
“I don’t understand the politics behind it”, he continued, adding; “I think it really put them in a bad light, actually, certainly with the fans”.
The vocalist added that it’s not only his era that the band are ignoring, with his recent request for a remastered copy of ‘Calling All Stations’ – which formed part of the 2015 ‘Genesis: 1983 – 1998’ set – falling on deaf ears. Said the exasperated former front man: “I remember asking; “could you send me a copy of it?”, and they didn’t! It really is kindergarten stuff. They’re Genesis, for Christ’s sake - you don’t behave like that”!
Ray Wilson has just released his latest solo album ‘Songs For A Friend’ Dedicated to his late companion James Lewis, the disc came out on 3rd June.
EXCLUSIVE: Singer Ray Wilson has singled out guitarist Mike Rutherford as the reason that Genesis failed to deliver a follow-up to 1997 release ‘Calling All Stations’, calling his current relationship with the band “kindergarten stuff”. Ray, who succeeded Phil Collins, fronted the iconic band from 1997-1999, for what has thus far, been their final studio release.
Speaking exclusively to eonmusic during an interview which is due to be published in full later this week, the Scotsman said of his tenure with the group: “When I signed my contract to join the band, it was for two albums. It was always the idea to do the first and then go from there, [but] Mike Rutherford changed his mind; that’s exactly what happened”.
Going on to explain what he believed were the founder member’s reasons for not wanting to continue, Ray was emphatic: “I think he felt he didn’t have the stamina to do another one. All of a sudden you’re faced with going from fifteen million albums [sales] to two and a half, and I think he couldn’t find it in himself to do the next one”, he opined.
Expressing his disappointment at never having been allowed the opportunity to record with the band again, Wilson continued: “It’s a great shame, because I think we could have at least recorded it. Even if it hadn’t been very good, we didn’t need to release it, but we should have at least sat down together and continued the process, because I think we really became a band after the tour”.
Wilson and Genesis parted ways after the tour for ‘Calling All Stations’ was completed in 1998, and the singer now says that his relationship with the iconic act is strained, citing their apparent want to ignore his time with them as the source of his ire. Said Ray: “They kind of try to brush it under the carpet a little bit. Even though I believe it was the fourth best-selling album of their history, they seem to kind of try and get rid of it”.
“I don’t understand the politics behind it”, he continued, adding; “I think it really put them in a bad light, actually, certainly with the fans”.
The vocalist added that it’s not only his era that the band are ignoring, with his recent request for a remastered copy of ‘Calling All Stations’ – which formed part of the 2015 ‘Genesis: 1983 – 1998’ set – falling on deaf ears. Said the exasperated former front man: “I remember asking; “could you send me a copy of it?”, and they didn’t! It really is kindergarten stuff. They’re Genesis, for Christ’s sake - you don’t behave like that”!
Ray Wilson has just released his latest solo album ‘Songs For A Friend’ Dedicated to his late companion James Lewis, the disc came out on 3rd June.
