Written and provided for The Path by Andrzej Piotr Gilek.

Poland's most popular rock magazine.

Genesis play in Poland for the first time
It's very hard to write something original about the popularity of Genesis in Poland. They were always one of the most played and beloved rock bands in this country, having a very solid place in the music scene in Poland. I don't think even members of the group were - or are - aware of this. They were always big stars here. The people here just loved the music from the very beginning. You can call it a "Polish Genesis Syndrome". Genesis was a trademark in Poland (like Mercedes) , comparable maybe only with Pink Floyd and Yes. It's partly because of specific national tastes and partly because the listeners here are IMO more "progressive" - that's because of long tradition (since late 60's) of promoting that kind of music by Polish radio.

In Poland we didn't have a real music market until 1990, so it's hard to estimate the sales of Genesis' music - most of the music was from import or was recorded from the radio), and there were no commercial radio stations. There were only a few big rock stars on tour here. So in the 80's thousands of people were driving to Berlin or Budapest to see the band live. A large part of the audience was always from Poland, and it was always the louder part! You can't judge everything from a commercial point of view.

As I mentioned above, all music came from the national radio stations like Channel 3. There were some very well-known people in radio, like Piotr Kaczkowski, who had a chance to create people's tastes through the years. They weren't playing disco music and they weren't playing punk. They were playing a lot of progressive music. Many, many people were hooked on this kind of music then - including me. In the middle of the 70's there was no punk music in Polish radio. The more adult oriented Channel 1 was playing some disco stuff, but even they preferred Pink Floyd. The authorities (including the Polish government) didn't care much about rock music. There was no problem with playing Genesis, Yes or Roxy Music. Even 'The Final Cut' by Pink Floyd with its "Brezhnew took Afghanistan" phrase was played on the radio in the early 80's. The music was the most powerful and most significant link between young people here and in the West.

So, since late 60's progressive rock music has been played in polish radio. Genesis was known here since very beginning of they career. Polish listeners knew Genesis since their first single, 'The Silent Sun'. The great and most popular Polish radio editor - Piotr Kaczkowski is one of the biggest Genesis-fans in the world! He interviewed them a few months ago. The interview was also in the music press. A few weeks ago he played 'The Silent sun' and remained everybody how he brought this record first time to the control room and presented the song to the listeners. He played also 'Supper's Ready' - from the start to the end - and 'Turn It on Again' - live.

Let's get back in the history. There was no chance to see the band live here, but every record was immediately recorded from the radio and played on every party. Every time Genesis released a new record there was a special radio broadcast on Channel 3. The albums were presented in their entirety! All the lyrics were translated. Every new Genesis album was here a big event - special programs on the radio, a high rate in the radio charts, the lyrics translated and many, many clubs which played the music. For example: Student clubs organised the premiere of new Genesis album and a hundreds (!) of people came to hear the music. Only the music from the record! This was a big event! Man, a new Genesis album had come out! It was in good style to have a new Genesis or Floyd record.

The records were imported from the West and they were VERY, VERY expensive. But there was no black hole here. The music was here all the time. If Genesis came to Poland in 1986 like they came to Budapest they had a chance to meet their best audience EVER! I'm sure that almost every young man has heard here about Genesis.

I remember every party included 'Mama'. Last voting for the most popular Genesis songs was not the small "fan club affair". It was presented by one of the biggest radio stations in the country. Thousands of people participated. There was a lot discussion about it everywhere.

Everyone knows Genesis and has their beloved album or song. And there is one important thing. I NEVER heard here that Genesis music is "not commercial". Nobody ever was saying that it is "too complicated", "too long" or "too difficult". I heard many times that it became ... too commercial. When 'Invisible Touch' came out there was something like a "national debate" about that. Only 'Abacab' wasn't very popular here. Maybe it was also "too commercial"? Ha, ha! I'm not joking. It was that kind of thinking: "They've become too commercial". You must remember that the fans only had the music recorded from the radio. They didn't have a copy of Music Week or Rolling Stone. There was no MTV and no record stores like we have now. People listened to the radio and the music from tapes.

Below you can see Poland's "national" TOP LIST of Genesis' songs. Hey! In how many countries would you be able to compile such a list? No 'Invisible Touch', no 'That's All'...

Now it's 1998 and Genesis is finally coming to Poland. The music scene rapidly changed. There are thousands of music stores everywhere. There are many commercial radio stations. The stars are coming here and playing gigs. We have even our own music television called Atomic. And Genesis' music is popular as ever!

I saw Genesis six years ago in Berlin. There were 120.000 people on Mayfield. I remember singing 'The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway' along with Phil Collins. Suddenly I noticed that I was the only one in the nearest crowd who knew the words! People seemed to not knowing the old songs at all. But the spectrum of Genesis audience was real impressive. And now I hear they've cancelled their North American tour and I feel a little bit sad. Because in my country 'Calling All Stations' was accepted straight away and is selling very well (see below). IMHO it is their best album in years! I think it is common opinion here. 'Congo' was a big hit here. And the show in Katowice surely will be a success! There is a lot of Genesis music in the radio. Genesis is not commercial, too difficult? Rubbish! Thousands of fans in this part of the world can't be wrong! :-)

Well, maybe other people from Poland will send their thoughts here...

Favourite Genesis' songs in Poland - the poll
On January 10, 21 days before the concert in Katowice, Polish fans finally chose their favourite and most beloved Genesis songs. Piotr Kaczkowski (see the photograph) - the legend of Polish radio, was presenting first TOP 21 songs between 4 PM and 7 PM CET on Channel 3.

This is the list of the most popular Genesis songs chosen by the listeners of one of the biggest radio stations in Poland: Channel 3. It was presented during special 3-hours broadcast last Saturday. Thousands of listeners participated in the voting (this aroused big interest in music business in Poland and there was lot discussion about that here). During three hours in the best radio time the music of Genesis was filling the air over Poland. Piotr Kaczkowski started the broadcast with the words: "Welcome to the Saturday afternoon broadcast on Channel 3: Tonight - Genesis, Genesis and once again Genesis. 21 days before the first Genesis' show in Poland we are counting first 21 songs of all time. We have only three hours and so much music to play..."

Here is the full list:

1. Mama (83)
2. Supper's Ready (72)
3. Follow You, Follow Me (78)
4. Firth Of Fifth (73)
5. Home By The Sea (83)
6. Carpet Crawl (74)
7. Calling All Stations (97)
8. Mad Man Moon (76)
9. Tonight Tonight Tonight (86)
10. Dance On A Volcano (76)
11. Musical Box (71)
12. Cinema Show (73)
13. Fountain Of Salmacis (71)
14. Congo (97)
15. No Son Of Mine (91)
16. The Knife (70)
17. Domino (86)
18. The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway (74)
19. Blood On The Rooftops (76)
20. Many Too Many (78)
21. I Know What I Like (73)
22. In The Cage (74)
23. Duke's Travels, Duke's End (80)
24. Dancing With The Moonlit Knight (73)
25. Ripples (76)
26. Burning Rope (78)
27. Watcher Of The Skies (72)
28. Entangled (76)
29. One For The Vine (76)
30. Land Of Confusion (86)
31. Afterglow (76)
32. Squonk (76)
33. Los Endos (76)

There were 109 songs proposed. The most popular and frequently mentioned albums were 'A Trick of the Tail' and 'Selling England by the Pound'.

How many, many great songs Genesis gave us through all the years! A few surprises? Of course! But there will be no comments from me. I'm just proud of living here, loving the music and I'm very happy that I will see the band in a few days! It will be great show!

Long live Genesis music! The past, the present and the future!

'Calling All Stations' sales in Poland
I thought that maybe some of you would like to know something about the music scene here. Well, this market of course doesn't have the American proportions. There are many new local artists who are selling hundred's of thousands records and in many ways the market is still in its most dynamic phase. Almost every 2 weeks there is a show of someone very popular in the world of rock music. They are coming because they are VERY POPULAR here and their records SELL in tens/hundreds of thousands of copies. Every record company has its branch here: EMI, Warner Bros., Sony and others. They make great business here.

Let's see! Last year in Poland (just a few examples): Prodigy sold 100.000 copies of 'The Fat Of The Land', in three months Oasis sold 80.000 copies of 'Be Here Now', in one month Metallica sold 60.000 copies of 'Reload' and in one month U2 sold 60.000 copies of 'Pop'. Poland is a significant music market. And this market still keeps growing.

Below is some information about music market in Poland in the context of Genesis' sales here.

Z.P.A.V. (they are Poland's equivalent of R.I.A.A.) are publishing a monthly list of sales and of course total sales of the recordings. I called Z.P.A.V. and received the following data:

• September sales of CAS: 7.631 copies
• October sales of CAS: 8.688 copies
• Total amount of copies sold so far (cassettes and CD's): 23.068.

And - before anyone complains, please remember that this market started for real in 1990!

BTW, since the date of release Phil Collins have sold 53.879 copies of 'Dance into the Light'. And I think that Genesis with CAS could reach in the next months final score over 40.000 copies.

Genesis on the charts in Poland
Singles market in Poland is rather insignificant but there are many very popular radio charts. Biggest and most popular chart is Hit List of Channel 3 (Lista Przebojw Programu 3, started in 1982). Over one million listeners if I remember correctly. Public opinion polls show that every fourth listener of polish radio turns on Channel 3 on Friday at 7 PM to hear what's on the list. It was (and still is) the most representative forum of what the polish young audience like to hear. Since 1982 Genesis have had 14 songs in the TOP 40 and including all the band members, past and present, it makes the impressive number of 50 TOP 40 hits! The full list with every Genesis' entry follows at the end of this article.

The author (and the presenter) of the broadcast was from the very beginning Marek NiedŸwiecki - another big Genesis fan! In his book he wrote many words about the band. Two excerpts: 'Mama' is in my opinion one of [the best] songs of all the time, one of the most powerful songs I have ever heard" (page 45).

"My Top of 1986: #1 'Tonight Tonight Tonight'... Strange but interesting - Genesis wins again by two lengths... " (page 143).

You can hear Channel 3 on Eutelsat. The full information you can find on the following site:

- http://www.radio.com.pl/trojka/czestotliwosci/default.htm

And here you can find the older charts:

- http://www.radio.com.pl/trojka/muzyka/lista_przebojow/default.htm

Polish Genesis links:

- 'Ripples' - http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Towers/5048/pGenesis_frame.htm

Genesis concert in Katowice
The show is taking place in Katowice on Jan 31. Spodek Hall in Katowice where the band will perform is a wonderful hall looking like a big spaceship, no kidding. Picture included. Capacity: 10.000 seats. It has become a symbol of the city.

The Katowice venue is much bigger and has better sound than Congress Hall in Warsaw where the show was first planned. Tickets are going well. The commercials are in radio and TV. Hope the show will be success!

By the way, the information on the official Genesis site is WRONG. It is NOT Warsaw! It's different part of the country.

All January Channel 3 is presenting Genesis music on air. The final broadcast will be on January 31 from Spodek Hall in Katowice.

Funny story about Phil Collins
Despite continuous popularity in Poland band's members seem to know not much about the Eastern Europe. I'd like to tell you funny story that I heard about 4 years ago. Phil Collins has just released his 'Both Sides' album and there was a big interview party in France (I think it was Paris, maybe I'm wrong). Anyway, there were a few people from Poland including Marek NiedŸwiecki - a very well known radio presenter. As you know now he hosts the most popular radio chart in Poland. It was his "lifetime interview", I think. The interview was on TV, a few weeks later.

First a few questions about Genesis. MN wisely asked if the band will reunite in the future. Phil answered that 'we [the band - my comment] will see what will be going on when we get together' and that kind of stuff. Then was a question about his cinema career ... at Disney's. ;-) He was very surprised that anyone knows that and started to relax ... And finally MN asked:

"What comes to your mind when you hear the word POLAND?"

There was an extremely long, long pause during which PC was observing the ceiling. He gathered thoughts. :-)

Then he looked at the interviewer and after about more 10 seconds started slowly putting his thoughts into words:
"Well... I haven't now any associations...
... hmm, I've been to Hungary...
... It is not far from Poland..."
5 seconds break. And finally the flash of insight:
"It must be very cold there." :-)

MN was speechless. Poker-faced he said: "No, it is not."

And after a while he smiled to confused PC.

When I heard this I almost fell down the chair and I was laughing 10 minutes. I knew that he knows little about my country but now I have no illusions about PC. He REALLY didn't hear anything about Poland! It is another reason why Phil Collins should play in Poland (he never did)!

Genesis on the Hit List of Channel 3 (Lista Przebojw Programu 3)

- http://www.radio.com.pl/trojka/muzyka/lista_przebojow/default.htm

- Single - Entry Date - Chart Peak - Weeks in TOP40

Genesis:
- Paperlate - 1982.07.17 - 9 - 8
- Evidence Of Autumn - 1982.09.25 - 9 - 7
- Mama - 1983.09.24 - 1 - 13
- Home By The Sea - 1983.12.10 - 2 - 15
- Invisible Touch - 1986.06.28 - 13 - 10
- In Too Deep - 1986.09.27 - 16 - 8
- Land Of Confusion - 1987.01.10 - 7 - 16
- Tonight Tonight Tonight - 1987.03.28 - 6 - 12
- No Son Of Mine - 1991.11.01 - 4 - 17
- I Can't Dance - 1992.01.31 - 3 - 10
- Hold On My Heart - 1992.04.24 - 12 - 10
- Tell Me Why - 1992.08.28 - 13 - 6
- Never A Time - 1992.12.26 - 33 - 8
- Congo - 1997.08.22 - 2 - 21+

Tony Banks:
- This Is Love - 1983.08.20 - 20 - 2
- Shortcut To Somewhere (with Fish) - 1986.08.09 - 23 - 5

Phil Collins:
- In The Air Tonight - 1982.08.28 - 12 - 6
- Thru' These Walls - 1982.11.06 - 21 - 4
- Do You Know Do You Care - 1982.12.04 - 25 - 4
- You Can't Hurry Love - 1983.01.15 - 11 - 7
- Against All Odds - 1984.04.07 - 8 - 10
- Sussudio - 1985.02.02 - 23 - 6
- One More Night - 1985.03.23 - 14 - 8
- A Groovy Kind Of Love - 1988.09.24 - 1 - 18
- Two Hearts - 1988.12.03 - 4 - 16
- Another Day In Paradise - 1989.11.18 - 1 - 22
- I Wish It Would Rain Down - 1990.01.27 - 1 - 15
- Do You Remember - 1990.05.12 - 11 - 12
- Something Happened On The Way To Heaven - 1990.08.04 - 28 - 3
- That's Just The Way It Is - 1990.08.18 - 13 - 6
- Both Sides Of The Story - 1993.10.29 - 7 - 11
- Everyday - 1994.01.21 - 11 - 8
- We Wait And We Wonder - 1994.05.20 - 29 - 2
- Dance Into The Light - 1996.09.20 - 2 - 15
- It's In Your Eyes - 1997.01.17 - 26 - 5
- No Matter Who - 1997.02.14 - 24 - 6

Peter Gabriel:
- Sledgehammer - 1986.05.17 - 4 - 15
- Red Rain - 1986.08.30 - 1 - 16
- Don't Give Up (with Kate Bush) - 1986.11.22 - 7 - 14
- Big Time - 1987.02.28 - 23 - 7
- In Your Eyes - 1989.08.05 - 27 - 4
- Digging In The Dirt - 1992.09.25 - 19 - 7
- Steam - 1993.01.22 - 14 - 7
- Love To Be Loved - 1993.04.23 - 16 - 8

Mike & The Mechanics:
- Silent Running - 1986.03.22 - 23 - 6
- Taken In - 1986.10.04 - 29 - 4
- Nobody's Perfect - 1989.01.28 - 13 - 10
- The Living Years - 1989.02.18 - 7 - 10
- Nobody Knows - 1989.05.20 - 36 - 3
- A Time And Place - 1991.05.24 - 29 - 7

Copyright © by Wydawnictwo Wac³aw Bagiński, Wroc³aw 1996

And that's all...
Thanks for reading this!
Andrzej Piotr Gilek

Any comments:

Apg@priv.onet.pl

Some relevant tour links:
- The European Tour Dates Spring '98 - updated regularly.
- See animated video clip from forthcoming Genesis tour Stage Show.
- Jim Beckwith meets Genesis during the band's rehearsals.