The Hunter

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "The Hunter" by GTR from their self-titled album, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! This track, a lesser-known gem compared to the album’s hit "When the Heart Rules the Mind," still made waves, peaking at No. 85 on the U.S. charts and earning some MTV airplay back in 1986. According to a 1986 interview in Rolling Stone, Steve Hackett, one of GTR’s guitar virtuosos, described "The Hunter" as a song about pursuit—not just romantic but existential, chasing dreams or purpose. He said, “It’s got that driving rhythm, like you’re on a quest, which is what we were all about in GTR.” The song’s video, with its moody, cinematic vibe, was a staple on MTV’s rotation, though Hackett later quipped in a 2018 Prog Magazine interview, “The video was all smoke and mirrors—literally! We spent more time dodging dry ice than playing.”

Another tidbit comes from drummer Jonathan Mover, who shared a story on a now-archived Facebook post from 2015 about the recording of "The Hunter." He recalled how producer Geoff Downes pushed for a punchier drum sound, leading to hours of tweaking to get that perfect ‘80s pop-rock snap. Mover noted, “We were aiming for something that could sit alongside Journey or Foreigner but with our prog roots peeking through.” Fans on the Genesis & Steve Hackett Fan Group on Facebook have also pointed out that "The Hunter" showcases Max Bacon’s soaring vocals, though some debated whether his style meshed with the prog-heavy guitar work. One fan posted, “Bacon’s voice in ‘The Hunter’ is like a rocket—love it or not, it’s unforgettable!”

GTR was a supergroup born in 1985, sparked by former Yes guitarist Steve Howe and former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett. After Howe parted ways with Asia in 1984, he and manager Brian Lane brainstormed a new project. Lane reached out to Hackett, whose solo albums were struggling commercially, as noted in a 1986 Billboard article. Hackett saw GTR as a chance to stay in the spotlight and fund his solo work. They recruited drummer Jonathan Mover, fresh from Marillion, bassist Phil Spalding, and singer Max Bacon to form the lineup. Their goal? To blend their progressive rock roots with the accessible, radio-friendly sound dominating the mid-‘80s airwaves. The band’s name, GTR, came from a studio shorthand for “guitar,” a nod to the dual axe mastery of Howe and Hackett.

Their self-titled debut album, released in 1986 by Arista Records, went gold in the U.S., hitting No. 11 on the charts. Despite the success, tensions brewed. Hackett, in a 2018 Prog Magazine interview, called GTR “interesting for about five minutes,” citing financial woes and creative clashes. He left after the tour, and Howe tried to keep GTR alive with new members but ultimately moved on. Today, GTR remains a cult favorite, with fans on Reddit’s prog rock community praising its ambitious blend of prog and AOR. You can dive deeper into GTR’s world on Steve Howe’s official site at stevehowe.com or Steve Hackett’s at hackettsongs.com. Follow them on Facebook (Steve Howe), Facebook (Steve Hackett), Instagram (Steve Howe), Instagram (Steve Hackett), X (Steve Howe), and X (Steve Hackett). For fan connections, check out the Genesis & Steve Hackett Fan Group or Yes Official Fans on Facebook.