This is exactly what makes Phil the most phenomenal musician of all time. His versatility is unmatched as is his trademark of singing and playing drums simultaneously. No one has ever been capable of the very act.Phil is legendary for that. Phil,Mike and Tony were so amazing at what they did that they didn't need any other band member to perform this one of the Genesis' finest.
If anyone has seen their documentary, Genesis was not Peter Gabriel or Phil Collins, Genesis was a band. No one road on anyone else's coat tails. Awesome band!
I never got the grief given these guys for going pop in the 80s. One, the complexity of the music didn't suffer for it, as there's nothing simple about good pop music. Two, Gabriel went pop in the 80s himself but never gets the pounding for "selling out" that Phil, Mike, and Tony got.
Just listening to Tony Banks' keyboard playing from 2:35 to 2:40 blows away ANYTHING being played out there these days, from both an emotive perspective and a technical one.
Danny Stanhope Even Phil Collins' steady, rhythmic striking of the cymbal through a good portion of the song outdoes most everything happening out there musically these days. :-)
Danny Stanhope I'm the choir and you're preaching to it. And that ain't bad. I often remark to friends how great Tony's keyboards are on many Genesis songs. From powerful on this song to evil and spooky on Mama. Fantastic music from my youth.
Ever notice how Phil's snare and hi-hat are set at the same height? It's a wonder he never knocks his sticks together while he plays. HA! Loved the video! Thanks for posting!
The top of Genesis with Phil Collins!abacab!!so amazing!a real pearl of Genesis !in 1981 I remember iI was 10 years old, no one have ever heard a song like Abacab!and now when I hear Abacab,I remember my life!
14 yrs of age in 81 and this was when i first got turned on to Genesis and saw them at SPAC ny and became instant FREAK after seeing the show with the Vari-Lights was fucking insane at the time and now every band can have Great light show.
first time i heard this song was at the g-man, a bar in hershey. that was an unforgettable night because it introduced me to a memorable song, one of genesis' best ever.
Tony Banks is a fabulous keyboardist . The Prophet 5 he's playing here was one of the "must have'' units at the time . Analog synths were and still are superior in sound quality over digital . Period .
Patrick Rogers Banks was always the backbone of the band through thick and thin. If you were ever in doubt of whether a Genesis song was actually a Collins solo piece, just listen for Banks keys.
Most drummers COULD drum like that, and do in the studio, but onstage/music videos, it's all about showmanship. The reason Phil drums like that is to allow his singing to be good (Strait posture), and it takes focus to remember the lyrics and drum beat at the same time (minimalist drumming style)
The power of Abacab, Genesis had a big deal to make a new sound for the eighites and as usual they succeeded to a great work. Nice video to see them play, I saw it already, but always pleased to watch again
There comes a time with a song where it's been refined to "perfection" and the point becomes to perform it as accurately as possible. Like the classical masters, for whom getting exactly as written becomes the highest praise for a performer, the finest musicians of any style rise to make that particular style shine. Want to improvise endlessly? Play jazz.
An absolute majority of drummers look very animated and push too hard when playing drums. Phil, on the other hand, makes it always look so easy, relaxed and virtually effortless. He's utterly phenomenal.
I heard at one time that in the studio they were writing this song but didn't have a title.... Phil was scribbling letters on a sheet of paper to structure the order of the song sections, and each letter stood for a certain section. The result of all the different sections on the sheet of paper read ' A B A C A B'.... I think there may be an interview with Phil out there somewhere on this.
I was five when this came out, and my Dad and I used to see it on MTV all the time then. I thought they were a new band and didn't know their earlier history. I just thought they looked and sounded great for being just three guys, and the idea of a drummer singing lead was interesting. I'm with those who say this edit of the song is better than the LP cut!
I personally hated when they changed the ending of this. This version has that awesome kick! First thing I thought when they played the other version was....it will be horrible, they'll stay with this one. Love this ending!!!
Please, introduce me to such a kid, I am dying to meet him....Besides, my point was to make the statement regarding Phil's overall ability to play drums for any music genre there is and make it look like there isn't even a drummer behind a set, but just a mere presence of sounds coming from behind there.
Based on what I have observed by focusing on every single detail of his drumming, Phil uses nothing but his wrists to make any beat he needs, at any given moment. Add to that the fact that he is well-known for his trademark "groove, comfort zone" moments he gets into during his playing and, most of all, for his famous, unmatched feel for music, which enables him to play as dictated by his feelings. He never worries about conventional notes. Phil, IMO, cannot be matched by any drummer.
Drum machine which they introduced on the Duke album in 1980. Opened them up to an entirely new area. They also started using horns on this album. No Reply At All and Paperlate (B-side) are great examples.
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway live in concert is now on a 2DVD set for the first time! The mythical concert has been recreated from beginning to end by Tommygun Video! Genesis, The Lamb Comes Alive! 1975 2DVD set available at Tommygunvideo. Please see our youtube channel for link to web site, clips, more details about this production
@oLdSkOoLkisS Have you noticed the placement of the Hihat? It's to the right of the snare drum;played by cable pedal instead of being all the way on the left under the left foot. Bruford does the same thing. I'd try it but I think I've played too many years with it on left side :-o
Don't know whatcha mean, Thaddeus. Phil was spot on. Interestingly, he doesn't like drumming and singing together on stage, even through he can. He says it looks crappy for the lead singer to be stuck behind the kit.
Great video- hope the owners do the right thing and leave it on Utube because you can't beat it. Why ruin it for everybody who wants to see this? Who's to say they don't sell more by keeping it alive?
I think the bass line is Mike Rutherford, either on a bass or on bass pedals. Rutherford had to do double duty guitar/bass in the studio since "And Then There Were Three." While he was a solid guitarist, he was one of the best bass players in rock, and maybe the best bass pedal player ever. BTW, even the Doors had bass players in the recording studio.
As far as Phil Collins' drumming goes: Here's how I see it... A ten-year-old could be taught to play Mary Had A Little Lamb on the cello. But, no doubt, Yo Yo Ma would make it look and sound effortless. The drumming on this song isn't highly technical, but Phil's command and expertise with the drums seem readily apparent. The same holds true for the over-animated Tony Banks.
@ikitiputz I think almost all of the MTV era videos were over-dubbed. It was common practice. You don't really think a band can perfectly recreate what they did in a studio, live?
This is exactly what makes Phil the most phenomenal musician of all time. His versatility is unmatched as is his trademark of singing and playing drums simultaneously. No one has ever been capable of the very act.Phil is legendary for that. Phil,Mike and Tony were so amazing at what they did that they didn't need any other band member to perform this one of the Genesis' finest.
If anyone has seen their documentary, Genesis was not Peter Gabriel or Phil Collins, Genesis was a band. No one road on anyone else's coat tails. Awesome band!
I never got the grief given these guys for going pop in the 80s. One, the complexity of the music didn't suffer for it, as there's nothing simple about good pop music. Two, Gabriel went pop in the 80s himself but never gets the pounding for "selling out" that Phil, Mike, and Tony got.
Such development of a theme! Lord, I miss the old days...where artists really spent time and energy creating cohesive and artistic musical thoughts.
Just listening to Tony Banks' keyboard playing from 2:35 to 2:40 blows away ANYTHING being played out there these days, from both an emotive perspective and a technical one.
Danny Stanhope
Even Phil Collins' steady, rhythmic striking of the cymbal through a good portion of the song outdoes most everything happening out there musically these days. :-)
Danny Stanhope
I'm the choir and you're preaching to it. And that ain't bad. I often remark to friends how great Tony's keyboards are on many Genesis songs. From powerful on this song to evil and spooky on Mama. Fantastic music from my youth.
I like to do that now.
***** oh come on. angsty young intellectual =good, like the who.
Ever notice how Phil's snare and hi-hat are set at the same height? It's a wonder he never knocks his sticks together while he plays. HA! Loved the video! Thanks for posting!
Some pieces of music and/or songs send a chill up my spine. This is one of them. I have no idea why. A listening pleasure!
That what I'm talking about when MTV played music...
The top of Genesis with Phil Collins!abacab!!so amazing!a real pearl of Genesis !in 1981 I remember iI was 10 years old, no one have ever heard a song like Abacab!and now when I hear Abacab,I remember my life!
La premiere fois que j'ai entendu ce morceau de Génésis j'en ai eu la chair de poule tellement c'est bon..et depuis ça n'a pas changé!
Seen Genesis live 1982 on our way to Amsterdam, great night - love them
The drummer is out of this world.
jerry willingham What do you expect? It’s Phil Collins!
This was an exciting time and I remember being so intrigued by this song when it came out, and the boldness of this style.
The blokes hit #26 in Billboard, 2-20-82. Bless you, James, for postin' it. Thanx! Have a blessed weekend!
I miss turning on the radio and hearing real music made by real musicians.
14 yrs of age in 81 and this was when i first got turned on to Genesis and saw them at SPAC ny and became instant FREAK after seeing the show with the Vari-Lights was fucking insane at the time and now every band can have Great light show.
How are the views on this so low? One of the 1st songs I remember from the real MTv.
Saw them live, they sound just like the record, amazing!!!!!
first time i heard this song was at the g-man, a bar in hershey. that was an unforgettable night because it introduced me to a memorable song, one of genesis' best ever.
December 6 1983 LIVE in HARTFORD , CT. Hartford Civic Center . WHY? day before my 17th birthday . AWESOME !!!!
God bless you for this video. This song started Genesis on ruling the '80's.
I love how they are dressed like a garage band but around them is the most extremely expensive equipment that possibly could be attained at the time!
Tony Banks is a fabulous keyboardist . The Prophet 5 he's playing here was one of the "must have'' units at the time . Analog synths were and still are superior in sound quality over digital . Period .
Patrick Rogers Banks was always the backbone of the band through thick and thin. If you were ever in doubt of whether a Genesis song was actually a Collins solo piece, just listen for Banks keys.
Therefore it is said he's one of the best drummers in the world! He knows how to make a great sound with very few beats. He's a drumming-genius!
This looks Damn great for coming off a VHS tape. This is my overall favorite tune from Genesis. ROCK ON!!!!
Most drummers COULD drum like that, and do in the studio, but onstage/music videos, it's all about showmanship. The reason Phil drums like that is to allow his singing to be good (Strait posture), and it takes focus to remember the lyrics and drum beat at the same time (minimalist drumming style)
I was thinking the same thing in my car the other day! Long gone, never to return!
My favorite Genesis! Thanks for posting the original video!
I could listen to this forever. . .
To me there are alot of Badass! songs out there. And this happens to be one of them. Still Badass after these years.
THANKS FOR POSTING THIS VIDEO AS GOOD AS IT CAN GET.GREAT SONG GREAT VIDEO,GREAT BAND .GENESIS AND PHILL COLLINS THAT'S A BAD ASSS COMBINATION.
The power of Abacab, Genesis had a big deal to make a new sound for the eighites and as usual they succeeded to a great work. Nice video to see them play, I saw it already, but always pleased to watch again
There comes a time with a song where it's been refined to "perfection" and the point becomes to perform it as accurately as possible.
Like the classical masters, for whom getting exactly as written becomes the highest praise for a performer, the finest musicians of any style rise to make that particular style shine.
Want to improvise endlessly? Play jazz.
mengingatku waktu th 1985 lihat pensi di auditorium uns hebat
great tune.time to get the party started !.......love the drums...thansk for sharing...cheers...ken
Still epic and still leagues better than what passes for popular music today.
"God If I Saw Her Now", Phil singing gently for Ant in a beautiful, if dated, ballad. Great guitar solo, very simple yet powerful.
Phil Collins - lead and backing vocals, drums, percussion
Tony Banks - keyboards
Mike Rutherford - electric guitar, bass pedals
My parents had this VHS tape when I was a kid. I watched the tape countless times
An absolute majority of drummers look very animated and push too hard when playing drums. Phil, on the other hand, makes it always look so easy, relaxed and virtually effortless. He's utterly phenomenal.
I heard at one time that in the studio they were writing this song but didn't have a title.... Phil was scribbling letters on a sheet of paper to structure the order of the song sections, and each letter stood for a certain section. The result of all the different sections on the sheet of paper read ' A B A C A B'.... I think there may be an interview with Phil out there somewhere on this.
Awesome song.
Let's see some (C)Rappers do that! Great vid from when eMpTyV actually played rock videos.
Where is music like this today?
Love Phil Collins.
Phil is one smooth cat...and one of the most outrageously funny ppl I ever met. Good time, mates.
I was five when this came out, and my Dad and I used to see it on MTV all the time then. I thought they were a new band and didn't know their earlier history. I just thought they looked and sounded great for being just three guys, and the idea of a drummer singing lead was interesting. I'm with those who say this edit of the song is better than the LP cut!
I personally hated when they changed the ending of this. This version has that awesome kick! First thing I thought when they played the other version was....it will be horrible, they'll stay with this one. Love this ending!!!
Please, introduce me to such a kid, I am dying to meet him....Besides, my point was to make the statement regarding Phil's overall ability to play drums for any music genre there is and make it look like there isn't even a drummer behind a set, but just a mere presence of sounds coming from behind there.
Damn this song takes me back.
Wow. Never heard of this song before. Sounds good. I like the synth.
I'd probably venture to say that when they did this in concert, Phil stood up and sang, while Chester Thompson drummed.
Playing drums and singing... Two things that i thought are impossible to do at the same time... until now...
J'adore la gratte de Rutherford,le jeu de batterie de Collins et celui au synthé de Banks,ca c'est de la musique!
Tony wins on this one...great keyboard playing
I think this song is the first time I ever heard of Genesis' existence.
Always thought this was their best tune.. GREAT SONG!
Thumbs up if this is one of Genesis's best hits or if u like it >:D
Based on what I have observed by focusing on every single detail of his drumming, Phil uses nothing but his wrists to make any beat he needs, at any given moment. Add to that the fact that he is well-known for his trademark "groove, comfort zone" moments he gets into during his playing and, most of all, for his famous, unmatched feel for music, which enables him to play as dictated by his feelings. He never worries about conventional notes. Phil, IMO, cannot be matched by any drummer.
@Jamesnov1970 go to around the 1 15 mark his right hand is on the snair and his left hand is still on the cymbal when the toms come in.
@mikper7
Actually Phil was using Premier drums here. He didn't use gretsches until the mama album
@Jamesnov1970 What filters did you use? Tips like this can help others rip the VHS old tapes better. Excellent work!
the ending outstanding !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I became a GENESIS fan after this song.
Very hard to drum and sing in time. Phil was gifted at this.
So damn great..
Drum machine which they introduced on the Duke album in 1980. Opened them up to an entirely new area. They also started using horns on this album. No Reply At All and Paperlate (B-side) are great examples.
Dear RUclips,
You seemed to have put a dislike button on a genesis video. Fix this error as soon as possible,
Thank you
@Jamesnov1970 yup. this is the studio version. check at 1:48 and the bell of the ride starts pinging before his stick is down
Holy crap I'm old! This was the year I got my drivers license!
Amen, sir.
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway live in concert is now on a 2DVD set for the first time! The mythical concert has been recreated from beginning to end by Tommygun Video!
Genesis, The Lamb Comes Alive! 1975 2DVD set available at Tommygunvideo. Please see our youtube channel for link to web site, clips, more details about this production
@oLdSkOoLkisS Have you noticed the placement of the Hihat? It's to the right of the snare drum;played by cable pedal instead of being all the way on the left under the left foot.
Bruford does the same thing. I'd try it but I think I've played too many years with it on left side :-o
omg phil.u and the group are awesome.
Don't know whatcha mean, Thaddeus. Phil was spot on. Interestingly, he doesn't like drumming and singing together on stage, even through he can. He says it looks crappy for the lead singer to be stuck behind the kit.
Way better than some of the stuff out today
Last traces of the old Genesis, before they went all 80's pop(can't blame them, just evolution with the times). Bottom line great musicians!
It sounds as if they are singing "I'm a cad"
@kuramaya Thanks... plus I used some filters to clean up some of the noise.
THANK YOU ! LOVE THIS !
Where's the bass sound comin from? Only see Rutherford on guitar
Nice to see Phil on the drums in a promo video.
I once used A B A C A B on my ACT, needless to say I didn't pass but I still am a huge fan!
This Video is a Studio Version
What drummers look animated? Collins kicks ass you are right but who do you dislike?
Great video- hope the owners do the right thing and leave it on Utube because you can't beat it. Why ruin it for everybody who wants to see this? Who's to say they don't sell more by keeping it alive?
Phil is amazing!
Rutherford is actually a very underrated bass player
An absolute classic. Anyone disagree? lol =)
I think the bass line is Mike Rutherford, either on a bass or on bass pedals. Rutherford had to do double duty guitar/bass in the studio since "And Then There Were Three." While he was a solid guitarist, he was one of the best bass players in rock, and maybe the best bass pedal player ever. BTW, even the Doors had bass players in the recording studio.
i like this group singer either Phil or peter
@Johnnysynth
WMG and EMI are aware of this video, as they are the ones who are stating copyright claim on this video......
cuanta fuerza éste track !!!!
As my friend Jo would say, This is so LUSH! I
As far as Phil Collins' drumming goes:
Here's how I see it... A ten-year-old could be taught to play Mary Had A Little Lamb on the cello. But, no doubt, Yo Yo Ma would make it look and sound effortless. The drumming on this song isn't highly technical, but Phil's command and expertise with the drums seem readily apparent. The same holds true for the over-animated Tony Banks.
c'esr trop bon cette musique
Kick ass video man..thanks
what a f**kin find awsome, collins is one of my favorite drummers.
This is from VHS? Great RIP man.
Well it is not from a DVD it came from a VHS that was made in the 80's If you want better then I suggest you go buy it :)
reminds me of high school
@ikitiputz I think almost all of the MTV era videos were over-dubbed. It was common practice. You don't really think a band can perfectly recreate what they did in a studio, live?