Dee McC (Prodigy Member)

For those of us who are not old enough, can you tell us why you left Genesis?

Steve Hackett

Because the guitar wasn't loud enough, man, on all those albums, man....

Geri in NYC (Prodigy Member)

Steve, are you in New York City tonight? What do you think of the city? Do you enjoy it? Do you have a favorite restaurant?

Steve Hackett

Yes, I am in New York City. I love the city; it holds many happy memories for me. And I definitely do enjoy it. My favorite restaurant is the Star Diner on 54th Street and 7th. You must ask for June and her fine old pastrami sandwiches.

Moderator

Steve was the guitarist in the mega-popular band Genesis for 10 albums and over 25 million records sold. After leaving the group in the mid-eighties, Steve has earned the reputation of being among Britain's finest composers and innovative guitarists.

Al Sanders (Prodigy Member)

Do you have any recollection as to what initially drew you to the guitar? How old were you at the time?

Steve Hackett

I think my first early exposure to guitar was through the songs of The Shadows, who were Cliff Richard's backing group. So Hank Marvin was El Ka-Bong Supremo amongst the kids at school.

GuitarMan10 (Prodigy Member)

Mr. Hackett, you play classical style beautifully, yet you don't consider yourself to be a classical guitarist, strictly speaking. Why is that?

Steve Hackett

Most people's definition of what a classical guitarist is would be a player who learned, parrot fashion, the existing repertoire, or the accepted repertoire for the instrument. I feel that the existing repertoire for the classical guitar is sadly impoverished at this stage, which is where my own humble compositions come in.

Bimmy in La (Prodigy Member)

Steve, Was wondering if you've always been a big fan of Shakespeare's? Have you ever done anything like this piece before?

Steve Hackett

I've never done anything like this before, and I am a big fan of all of Shakespeare's songs and lyrics--I mean sonnets! [g] : ) I've made acoustic albums before, but none that have lent so heavily in the direction of classical music, especially in view of the participation of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Moderator

The new album, "A Midsummer's Night Dream" features Steve playing classical guitar backed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Charlie 91 (Prodigy Member)

What's your greatest pleasure in life? And what pisses you off the most?

Steve Hackett

My greatest pleasure in life? Pastrami sandwiches. And I really get pissed off when they forget to hold the pickle.

GitWiz (Prodigy Member)

Steve, do you have any children, and do they play musical instruments?

Steve Hackett

I have a son, but he doesn't play any instruments.

Charlie 91 (Prodigy Member)

Have you ever experienced stage fright? If so, how did you handle it?

Steve Hackett

Yes, many times I've experienced stage fright, so much so that I once consulted a hypnotherapist to combat it. But I have to say that fear of performing has never stopped me actually from playing in front of people.

Moderator

Steve also co-founded GTR, a supergroup with Steve Howe from Yes and Asia.

Dee McC (Prodigy Member)

Hi Steve, I was wondering if you could tell us any funny stories about Phil Collins or Peter Gabriel? Are you guys friendly?

Steve Hackett

Yes, we are friendly, and I go to all of Phil Collins' weddings... last count. Love ya, Phil! And Pete and I have helped each other out with odd projects, usually of a dubious or charitable nature over the past few years.

Geri in NYC (Prodigy Member)

How long did it take for you to write and record A Midsummer's Nights Dream?

Steve Hackett

It took seven years of unaccompanied guitar pieces, which were eventually combined to incorporate orchestral arrangements of the same.

Ce Ce Ce Ce (Prodigy Member)

Steve, has this been a satisfying project for you? Will this have to be a commercial success in order for you to be pleased with it?

Steve Hackett

No. I think that often music is its own reward, and the sales of any one particular album or project have not influenced me in the least, in terms of whether I wanted to repeat my involvement in that particular genre.

Charlie 91 (Prodigy Member)

Do you have a favorite author or two?

Steve Hackett

Milan Kundera, who wrote "Unbearable Lightness of Being" amongst many others.

Moderator

Kundera's newest book is called "Slowness"... Just a tidbit from the Moderator... : ) Here's a great question from Sal in Tx...

Sal in Tx (Prodigy Member)

Steve, a very vital and important question... When you were in Genesis, which guy in the band smelled the worst?

Steve Hackett

Well, they were all pretty gamey. Particularly when they were young.

GuitarMan10 (Prodigy Member)

What kind of classical guitar are you playing now? Is it custom made?

Steve Hackett

It's not a custom-made guitar, but it is a Japanese Yairi, circa 1973, strictly off the peg. But I was attracted to it because it had immense depth and richness of tone, which sounded at times more like a piano to me than a guitar. I recommend them thoroughly.

PhilHarmonia (Prodigy Member)

Did you score the orchestral charts for this album? Was it the first time you'd done so for a full orchestra, and how hard was that to do?

Steve Hackett

I devised the parts, but the transcription from pen to paper was made by another party.

Genesis412 (Prodigy Member)

How often do you change your strings, and what do you do to break them in? Do you give then a stretch, or do you just play normally?

Steve Hackett

I don't set any hard and fast rule, except that when they sound dull, I change them. I do stretch them to break them in, but I don't twang them to do that. I hold onto them and pull them. But I don't use them like a bow and arrow and go "pat- chow!"

Moderator

Other solo efforts from Steve include VOYAGE OF THE ACOLYTE (which featured Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford from Genesis), PLEASE DON'T TOUCH, SPECTRAL MORNINGS, DEFECTOR, CURED, HIGHLY STRUNG, Bay Of Kings , TILL WE HAVE FACES, MOMENTUM, and TIME LAPSE...

HackettFan (Prodigy Member)

Steve do you take care of your own guitars when you're on tour, or does an assistant help you?

Steve Hackett

Normally I need help in that department... if not several others. In fact, I think I see two men with white coats approaching...

Charlie 91 (Prodigy Member)

How old were you when you knew that you wanted to make music for a living? Was it a great relief to know what you wanted to do?

Steve Hackett

Well, when I was about 6 years old, at school, I used to play harmonica in the school playground. And I used to bet kids their pocket money that I could play the national anthem through my nose, whilst my mouth was taped, and they said it couldn't be done. And I won every time, of course, because it is possible.

Steve Hackett

And I had an inkling that much more money could be made if only I could find the right record company, repertoire, trousers, and manager--not necessarily in that order. [g]

Esha B (Prodigy Member)

You are a terrific performer and composer! Do you plan to get further schooling in orchestration, so you don't have to rely on other people the next time you write music that includes an orchestra?

Steve Hackett

I have an aversion to schooling, but I have no objection to teaching myself more and more aspects of music. And even if I have to get every single one of the orchestras in and record them individually, I feel that the same effect is possible. It's just that my assessment of the potential correctness of every part would have to be empirical.

PhilHarmonia (Prodigy Member)

Steve, on "Squonk," I loved the short guitar solo that fades out at the end of the song. Always brings a tear to my eye. Do you ever get "goosebumps" when listening to or playing music, and what causes that?

Steve Hackett

I have felt goosebumps, either listening or playing music, but I now have a great chiropractor and he's trying to cure me of that.

Moderator

Check out a great fan site dedicated to Steve at: http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/1448!!!

GuitarMan10 (Prodigy Member)

Do you have to take special care of your fingernails for classical playing?

Steve Hackett

Yes. I take a black pill every day to make me hard. My nails, that is.

Westbay (Prodigy Member)

I saw in 20th Century Guitar magazine that you were to tour Japan with a band that included John Wetton and Ian McDonald. Will you be working with either (or both!) of them again, in this country? I sincerely hope so, I'd love to see that group in concert!

Steve Hackett

I too, hope to work again with that dream team, hopefully in your country. But we have some interesting tapes meanwhile from the Japanese shows, which should become an album at some point. Plus a video will be made available of that show, as a memento of the event, again at some point. I'm sorry I can't be more specific than that. But negotiations have to follow.

GitWiz (Prodigy Member)

Hi, Steve. When the Royal Philharmonic is backing you on solo guitar, how do you achieve a proper volume balance? Do you ever feel like you're fighting them?

Steve Hackett

If you're recording guitar and orchestra at the same time, live, I'm sure you would run into immense problems. But because the two were recorded at separate times, we were able to balance the potentially opposing forces sympathetically.

Moderator

If you're just joining us, we're chatting live with ex-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett! Submit your questions now!

Genesis412 (Prodigy Member)

I have a problem with acidic sweat, where my strings start corroding almost immediately after I start playing them--which isn't exactly the greatest thing for intonation. Can you relate to this, and do you have any suggestions?

Steve Hackett

Try piano. But seriously, you could try talcum powder, and try some exercises to help you relax, such as TM, and most of all, try to enjoy what you play, rather than be fearful of the instrument. Coming from a man who has stage fright, you might find this a little rich. : )

YeahSegovia (Prodigy Member)

Mr. Hackett, have you hung up your electric guitar for good? While I enjoy your classical playing, I hope you're not giving up on rock!

Steve Hackett

I'm not giving up on rock. I shall be making deafening noises in the future. What's that you said there, son? You'll have to repeat the question. My ears aren't what they once were.

HackettFan (Prodigy Member)

Steve, how was it working with Steve Howe of the band Yes? He's one of my favorite guitarists. What is his personality like?

Steve Hackett

Vegetarian.

Westbay (Prodigy Member)

Steve, are you "on-line" yourself? Do you use the Internet, E-mail, etc.?

Steve Hackett

I'm a user, but I'm not an abuser. I am having therapy, and at present, somebody else has to hold the bottle for me.

Steve Hackett

But seriously, both my wife and I have websites. My wife the artwork on the new album, and this can viewed at www.kimpoor.com

PhilHarmonia (Prodigy Member)

Steve, did you play the solo on a song called "In The Dead of Night"? That was one of the wildest and most interesting solos I've ever heard.

Steve Hackett

Not to the best of my knowledge. But my memory is not what it once was! But if there are any royalties outstanding, please send them to the Battersea Dogs Home.

YeahSegovia (Prodigy Member)

What was your impression of Jimmy Page when you worked with him? Is he a wildman or what?

Steve Hackett

Although we appeared on the same album, a.k.a. Box of Frogs, we did not perform together at the same time. However, I bumped into Jimmy on the stairs of a well-known London studio with Steve Howe, when we were working together, and he shared considerable interest in our project at that time, which was eventually called GTR.

Westbay (Prodigy Member)

You have done quite a bit of singing in your solo career, but were never credited as singing with Genesis. Why didn't you do any backup vocals while you were with Genesis?

Steve Hackett

In the days when I was a shy beatnik, I was primarily concerned with the voice of the guitar. It's only lately that my Caruso-like tones have been allowed to grace the occasional album.

YeahSegovia (Prodigy Member)

Have you ever met classical guitar great Andres Segovia? What impressed you most about his playing?

Steve Hackett

Only in my dreams. And in the flesh, that would unfortunately now be impossible, since the great man has passed on. But the eloquence and sensitivity of his playing will always remain with me, and will always be a lasting influence.

Crinos Bane (Prodigy Member)

I play guitar

Steve Hackett

You should talk to patriot3.

HLarson (Prodigy Member)

Recently Phil Collins has made several statements saying that he would be interested in doing a short Genesis reunion tour with Peter Gabriel. I was wondering how you feel about this.

Steve Hackett

What kind of money is Phil offering? And will I get my own dressing room?

Steve Hackett

... and director's chair?

RiteHandMan5 (Prodigy Member)

Hi, Steve. I'm looking forward to getting your new release. I'm curious to know if any of the songs from your first couple of albums were written when you were with Genesis. I can picture, for instance, "Narnia", on a Genesis album.

Steve Hackett

Both Voyage of the Acolyte and Please Don't Touch [my first solo outings] did indeed include songs I'd written whilst with the band. However, Narnia was written after my departure from the group, and ironically Ian McDonald, who I've been working with recently, was the person who first suggested that I use the opening guitar figures as the intro to that song.

patriot3 (Prodigy Member)

hey

Steve Hackett

A nice meal for horses... but could you be more concise?

Moderator

Ah, a very intelligent question coming up from cornholeo 16...

cornholeo 16 (Prodigy Member)

ARE YOU GAY

Steve Hackett

I am very happy tonight. Or is there some other meaning you imply?

Darias Axis (Prodigy Member)

Steve, how do you feel about this album in comparison to some of your older works, like Spectral Mornings?

Steve Hackett

I had great fun making Spectral Mornings. But I am especially proud of A Midsummer Night's Dream for its own reasons. You might say I'm good in the morning, and even better at night.

RevndRick (Prodigy Member)

Steve...you guitar skills are unsurpassed...but i have one question...what is your favorite style of playing? if any?

Steve Hackett

Well! With as few bum notes as possible.

rwkMaine (Prodigy Member)

do you have any pets

Steve Hackett

Yes, two cats, Buster and Flo.

Roylayer (Prodigy Member)

Steve, there are a number of Genesis cover bands out there. Have you heard any of them? Do you think it's a good idea? What do you think?

Steve Hackett

Be gentle with me, baby. Too much frettage will kill you every time.

rwkMaine (Prodigy Member)

what do you like to do in your spare time

Steve Hackett

What spare time? But I'm looking forward to some in the near future. However, I do like to read on the odd airline flight. And we've had some very odd airline flights recently...

RevndRick (Prodigy Member)

steve..your guitar skills are unsurpassed.....what , if any are your favorite playing styles as well as who are your influences

Steve Hackett

Thank you. My influences... Beatles, Bach, and Blues.

Sweet Chik'2 (Prodigy Member)

Where are you from originally? Where did you grow up?

Steve Hackett

I'm from Pimlico, a heavily bombed (in the war) area of central London. I grew up there.

ABeck (Prodigy Member)

do you play any sports???????

Steve Hackett

I used to before I did my neck in, at the beginning of this year. So I've had to cut down on trampoline practice.

RevndRick (Prodigy Member)

Steve...where, if at all..will you be playing in NYC?

Steve Hackett

Just the occasional TV show. "Weekend Today in New York" will feature two performances and will air on a weekend sometime in the next few weeks. That's on NBC.

Dead Actress (Prodigy Member)

If the world were going to blow up tomarrow and you were the only one who knew about it....what would you do? (And no...you can't stop it!)

Steve Hackett

I'd start playing the blues...

AfricaSkyBlu (Prodigy Member)

What was your favourite Genesis song and album?

Steve Hackett

My favorite is Selling England By The Pound, and now I'm selling Shakespeare by the pound.

Major2badd (Prodigy Member)

Have you ever played anything besides the guitar? Do you also play piano?

Steve Hackett

I don't play piano, but I do a passable imitation of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, particularly when someone has trodden on my foot!

RiteHandMan5 (Prodigy Member)

What is your involvment with the production of the long-awaited Genesis box-set? Are you redoing any of your parts on any of the old tunes?

Steve Hackett

My involvement with it is much like the Pope... I have given it my blessing. But a multitude of sinners have yet to see the light, and therefore it is held up in contractual purgatory.

AfricaSkyBlu (Prodigy Member)

When do you think 9/8 time will hit the Top 40?

Steve Hackett

When Quentin Tarantino uses Supper's Ready as a soundtrack to his next movie, 9/8 will be all the rage.

Steve Hackett

... and will produce much jerky dancing.

RevndRick (Prodigy Member)

A question of Gossip......did you ever feel overshadowed by Phil Collins?

Steve Hackett

Not by his guitar playing, certainly.

AfricaSkyBlu (Prodigy Member)

I find it interesting that a song played on a 12 string guitar by one guitarist (Horizons) was written by all six members of Genesis. Can you explain this process?

Steve Hackett

It was actually played on a six string steel through a Leslie cabinet, which might explain the reason why it sounds a little like a 12-string. But I did in fact write it myself, although we used to credit all of the songs in those days to the whole band.

vV oMeGa Vv (Prodigy Member)

Do you ever get sick of you guitar?

Steve Hackett

No, I have never been sick on the guitar.

Kimber 15 (Prodigy Member)

steve, what kind of pills? What do they do exactlly?

Steve Hackett

Hi-Life Hair & Nail Care pills, from Boots the chemist, a pharmacy chain in England... mainly for the hair, you understand.

Moderator

Those are the pills Steve uses to strengthen his nails... Just in case you missed it the first time.. ; )

Sweet Chik'2 (Prodigy Member)

I just thought I'd give you these tokens of my love for your work. :) @---

ChiefChemist (Prodigy Member)

My 67-year-old mother has "Voyage of the Acolyte. My wife and I are fond of PLease Don't Touch, and Sides.

Steve Hackett

Thank you for all your questions. If some I've appeared to answer too light-heartedly, forgive me, as it is at the end of a long day--not to mention a long week--of interviews. And I enjoyed this chat immensely.

Moderator

Thanks for a great chat Steve...

Steve Hackett

Thanks to the people at Prodigy for having me here and conducting this chat.

Moderator

And thanks to our members for some great questions!

Darias Axis (Prodigy Member)

Thank YOU Steve. Keep rockin...

Major2badd (Prodigy Member)

Bye Steve!

ChiefChemist (Prodigy Member)

Goodbye Steve.

Moderator

Thanks again and goodnight..