Genesis was formed in early 1967 when two rival bands formed one band at the prestigious Charterhouse boarding school in south-east England. They wrapped up at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night on the final day of the group’s Last Domino reunion tour.
“Tonight is a very special night,” Collins told the crowd early that evening. “This is the last stop on our tour. And it’s the last show for Genesis… We’ll all have to get real jobs after tonight.”
When they announced the 2019 reunion, there was a little ambiguity that this was the last tour. They even dubbed them “The Last Domino?” to allow some leeway, but Collins made it increasingly clear over the months that he had no intention of continuing with the band after the last show in London. To drive the point further home, during that final run they removed the question mark from the tour’s name and began billing it as “The Last Domino!”
Genesis fans from around the world traveled to London for the closing and it was a very emotional evening. However, the setlist was the same as every other show. It’s a mix of radio hits like “Invisible Touch” and “That’s All” with lesser-known tunes like “Duchess” and “Home by The Sea” and some prog-era classics like “I Know What I Like” and “The Lamm.” lays down on Broadway.” Above is fan-captured video of the grand finale of Dancing With the Moonlight Knight and Carpet Crawlers.
Phil Collins has severe physical issues that make it difficult for him to stand for any length of time, but he did stand up for a bow with the entire touring band. At the end, the additional musicians stood aside for core members Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Collins to take a final bow. Collins was the last to leave, using a cane to make his way slowly toward the back steps.
The last two songs were from the band’s Peter Gabriel era, and Gabriel himself was in the audience. Here is a backstage photo of Collins, Gabriel and their early 70’s road manager Richard McPhail. Gabriel wears a laminate that grants him “AAA” access to the arena. Unfortunately he didn’t use it to go on stage and join the band for the last two songs. No wonder, since Gabriel hasn’t sung a complete Genesis song in public since 1983. He probably also wanted them to have this moment to themselves.
From tonight’s final #Genesis Show in London (from left): #PeterGabriel, #PhilCollins, and Richard McPhail (longtime friend and tour manager in the ’70s). If you haven’t read Richard’s book of Genesis, you should. @genesis_band @itspetergabriel @PhilCollinsFeed pic.twitter.com/Zsmo0WMGr1
— World of Genesis (@WorldofGenesis) March 27, 2022
Die-hard fans will never stop hoping for a reunion tour with Gabriel and guitarist Steve Hackett. The fantasy is that they would do it with Nicholas Collins filling in for his father on drums, much like he did on this tour. But it remains a very, very remote possibility. In all likelihood, that show at the O2 Arena was actually her last waltz. It’s a sad day, but at least Gabriel was in the audience to see the end of the band he helped found all those years ago.