Steve Hackett

Early Life

Stephen Richard Hackett was born on February 12, 1950, in Pimlico, central London, to Peter and June Hackett. He shares his birthday with his future Genesis bandmate, Peter Gabriel. Growing up, Hackett had access to various musical instruments, but it wasn't until he was 12 that he developed an interest in the guitar. By 14, he was learning chords and experimenting with progressions, influenced by classical composers like Bach and rock legends such as Jimi Hendrix and King Crimson.

Career

Hackett's professional journey began in the late 1960s with bands like Canterbury Glass and Quiet World. However, his major breakthrough came in December 1970 when he joined Genesis as the lead guitarist, contributing to six studio albums and several live recordings during his tenure until 1977. His innovative guitar work and songwriting helped shape the band's progressive rock sound. After leaving Genesis, Hackett embarked on a successful solo career, releasing numerous albums, including "Voyage of the Acolyte" and "Spectral Mornings," and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 as a member of Genesis.

Personal Life

Hackett has been married three times. His first marriage to Ellen Busse in 1972 produced a son, Oliver, but ended in divorce two years later. He then married Brazilian artist Kim Poor in 1981, who designed many of his album covers, but their marriage ended in a legal dispute in 2007. In 2011, he married author Jo Lehmann, who has contributed lyrics to his music. Hackett's personal and professional life has been intertwined with music, as family members, including his brother John, have collaborated with him throughout his career.