Warning: Although the content is true to the best of my knowledge, this post entry is a little satire on those other posts of a similar heading!
These celebrities are really discreet with their personal life. That’s why we had no idea they like Genesis.
Robert Downey Junior
“I’m deep into old Genesis. I’m sorry, but these are songs that mean something to me. “Follow You Follow Me” is a song that’s about something to me.”
“Genesis are like the British smarter version of Van Halen. I just bought Abacab to put in my iPod. They’re so weird – aside from when they go into ponce-mode on some of those songs. But the arrangements, the artistry… wow.”
Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis back stage with ex-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett, during a gig in New York 2014. Picture by Mike Bara (?)
Robin Williams
The late great Robin Williams presents the VH1 Rock Honour award to Genesis.
Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Clarkson wrote some of the liner notes for the Genesis 70-75 box set
James May
Both Jeremy Clarkson and James May from Top Gear like Genesis, however Richard Hammond loathes them 🙂
Philip Glenister
English actor, best known for his role as DCI Gene Hunt on the British television series Life on Mars.
Al Murray
English comedian and TV personality well known for his stand-up persona and quick repartee.
Will Carling
Former Rugby union player for Harlequins, and a former captain of England from 1988 to 1996.
Bob Mortimer
Vic Reeves
Simon Day
Paul Whitehouse
Bob Mortimer, Vic Reeves, Simon Day (Brian Pern), and Paul Whitehouse are British comedians who stared in ‘The Life Of Rock With Brian Pern’
Chris Tarrant
English radio and television broadcaster. He hosted the ITV game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Tony Robinson
English actor, comedian, amateur historian, TV presenter and political activist.
Tony Robinson wrote the liner notes for The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.
Edit: He’s not actually a fan — his wife is. They were seen at a Genesis concert on 2007 and Genesis’ management asked him to do the liner notes for the reissue as they thought he was a fan. More from a 2016 interview here
Timothy Spall
English actor and occasional presenter.
Jimmy Carr
English stand-up comedian, television host and actor, known for his signature laugh, deadpan delivery, dark humour, and use of edgy one-liners.
“Creationists, the right-wing Christians, creationists believe every word Genesis says. I don’t even think Phil Collins is a good drummer.”
David Baddiel
British comedian, novelist and television presenter.
David Baddiel wrote the liner notes for Nursery Cryme.
Danny Baker
English comedy writer, journalist, radio DJ and screenwriter.
Thanks to the members of Turn it On Again the Genesis Forum for all the research.
BONUS: Other Musicians Who Like Genesis
Brian May (Queen)
Nick Mason (Pink FLoyd)
John Wetton
Robbie Williams
Guy Garvey (Elbow)
Jim Kerr (Simple Minds)
Phil Oakey (Human League)
Francis Rossi (Status Quo)
Steve Harris (Iron Maiden)
Alex Lifeson (Rush)
Geddy Lee (Rush)
Duke Erikson (Garbage)
John Lydon (PIL, Sex Pistols)
Brann Dailor (Mastodon)
EXTRA BONUS: Fictional Genesis Fans
Homer Simpson
From the TV show ‘The Simpsons’
Patrick Bateman
From the movie ‘American Psycho’
Barney Stinson
From the TV show ‘How I Met Your Mother’
Tommy Saxondale
From British Comedy TV Show ‘Saxondale’
8 comments
What a load of tosh. I don’t believe for any of the people you claim wrote liner notes for any Genesis album. Anyway who cares if celebrities like Genesis?
You care, if it’s the Fish i think it is. why didn’t Fish from Marillion get a mention he was a massive Genesis fan.
Thanks Fish 🙂
I wrote liner notes for Mud. When I was 10.
I know that this article is nearly 2 years ago, but there is actual written and spoken proof with just about every single living person mentioned as being a fan of Genesis.
Marillion’s Fish was a fan.
Noel Gallagher is a big fan of the first Genesis album, and has openly admitted that his song “If Love is the Law” borrows a lot from Genesis’ “The Conqueror”.
Also, listening to the Genesis track “Harold the Barrel”, it once struck me that it sounded like proto-The Madness. And via Google, I found an interview with a Madness member (I don’t remember which one) who said that he/they liked some Genesis stuff, and he mentioned that song.