Steve Hackett - a brief history by Alan Hewitt

To say I was instantly hooked has to be the understatement of the century. I was completely entranced by the entire experience, especially the sound which I mistook as a keyboard effect but which turned out to be to my complete surprise the guitar sound of one Stephen Hackett Esquire. Sadly for me, I was too late to see Steve perform in Genesis because he left the band later that year. All was not lost however, and I was privileged to eventually see him perform in his own right a year or so later at Manchester and from that moment on I have followed his career with interest, intrigue and amazement. By his own admission Steve has 'made more comebacks than Count Dracula' and with each of them it has been a source of wonder to me that he has always managed to open another musical window, forever changing, never remaining still.

Never content to rest on his not inconsiderable musical laurels, Steve has been a source of inspiration to many budding musicians and this brief outline of his career is my attempt to express my appreciation of a true artist whose career has brought and is still bringing me much pleasure. It is dedicated to all the fans who I have had the pleasure of meeting and swapping yarns and pints with over the last seventeen or so years - I hope you like it!

Special thanks to both Graham Drabble and Peter Gozzard for digging out the press cuttings which I have used in this article and for their encouragement.

If there is any further information you require please drop a line to me enclosing either an SAE or two International Reply Coupons to the following address...