Supper’s Ready

The Zoo Crew is spinning the epic "Supper’s Ready" by Genesis from their 1972 album Foxtrot, a track that’s a cornerstone of progressive rock, clocking in at nearly 23 minutes. One wild story about the song comes from Peter Gabriel, who shared in an interview that its lyrics were partly inspired by a creepy experience his wife had sleeping in a purple room, which gave her nightmares that fueled the song’s surreal, apocalyptic imagery. He described it as "a personal journey which ends up walking through scenes from Revelation in the Bible," keeping the details cryptic but hinting at a supernatural vibe. There’s also a rumor, mentioned in a 2022 Louder article, that Gabriel once thought his wife was possessed during this period and brandished a makeshift cross made of candlesticks, though he later downplayed the occult angle. Fans on X, like @ProgRockGrandad in 2019, have called "Supper’s Ready" "probably the greatest song ever written," reflecting its cult status among Zoo Freaks and prog enthusiasts.

Behind the scenes, the song’s creation was a battleground. Tony Banks, in a Louder interview, admitted he was annoyed when Gabriel started singing over his keyboard solo in the "Apocalypse in 9/8" section, but he later realized it created "probably our peak" moment of drama. Steve Hackett, however, wasn’t convinced the sprawling track would land, worrying its length and obscure references would tank it. He recalled in the same article thinking their label, Charisma Records, might cancel their contract, but producer David Hitchcock encouraged them to record it section by section, stitching it together with cross-fades. The song’s complexity, with its seven distinct parts and shifting time signatures like 9/8, was a gamble that paid off, earning praise as a "Lisztian, symphonic apotheosis" in a musicological analysis by Nors Josephson. Fans on Genesis fan groups on Facebook often geek out over details like Gabriel’s theatrical costumes, including a flower mask for the "Willow Farm" section and a red geometric helmet for "Apocalypse in 9/8," which became iconic during the Foxtrot tour.

Genesis started in 1967 at Charterhouse, an elite English boarding school, where founding members Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, and Anthony Phillips formed a band driven by ambitious, classical-inspired ideas far beyond typical teenage pop. As detailed on fan sites like Genesis Forever, they merged two school groups, The Anon and The Garden Wall, with Chris Stewart on drums. Their early work, shaped by Gabriel’s theatrical vocals and Banks’ intricate keyboard arrangements, caught the ear of producer Jonathan King, who signed them and suggested the name Genesis. Their debut, From Genesis to Revelation, was a commercial flop, but they honed their progressive sound through relentless gigging and lineup changes, with Phil Collins joining as drummer in 1970 and Steve Hackett on guitar in 1971, solidifying the classic lineup that birthed Foxtrot. This period, celebrated on Instagram posts by the band, marked their rise as prog rock pioneers, blending storytelling with musical virtuosity.

Today, Genesis remains active, with Banks, Rutherford, and Collins as core members, and their legacy is celebrated across social media. You can follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X, where they share tour updates and throwback content, like a 2024 post marking Foxtrot’s 52nd anniversary. Fan communities thrive online, with sites like Genesis Forever offering detailed discographies and forums, while Facebook groups like Genesis Fans connect Zoo Freaks worldwide, sharing live bootlegs and debating the merits of Gabriel-era versus Collins-era tracks. These platforms keep the spirit of "Supper’s Ready" alive, ensuring its epic tale resonates with new generations tuning into THE ZOO.