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Hackett's
first solo album was recorded in 1975 and has been followed
by a further fourteen releases including two collections of
exquisite acoustic guitar work. 1983's "Bay Of Kings" was
the first expression of his growing philosophy of 'music
without props'. Accompanied by his brother, John, on flute
he recorded an album of seamless simplicity which was for
him a natural progression. Steve went on to enjoy a hugely
successful 'acoustic' tour during which the Financial Times
reported that the only two artistes who had sold out
London's prestigous Barbican Concert Hall that year were the
London Symphony Orchestra and Steve Hackett! Although not
originally a classical player, Steve endeavours to enlarge
the existing repertoire by writing timeless pieces for
acoustic guitar and one of these was given the seal of
approval by Yehudi Menuhin when he used it as the theme to
his television documentary From Kew To The Findhorn
Foundation.
With each
succeeding release he has continued to push the sound
envelope a little further, constantly seeking to keep alive
a spirit of risk and experimentation. This articulate and
committed approach to music has acted like a compass,
pointing the way not only for his solo work, but also
guiding his involvement in outside projects.
In 1986
Steve formed GTR with Steve Howe and the subsequent tour
produced a top ten US single and platinum album as well as
attracting immense media coverage from MTV and nationwide
press and radio. It was noted by Time magazine and Billboard
that during one two week period in August all of the current
and past members of Genesis had albums in the Billboard Top
Twenty! A total of five albums between them.
teve's response to the
'stadium rock' of GTR was to turn yet again to the 'little
orchestra' and, inspired by his
earlier
success, he recorded a second album of acoustic guitar
pieces, "Momentum". This was released in the Spring of 1988
and he performed extensively throughout Britain and Europe
that year, culminating in the Soviet Union where he
entertained a record-breaking crowd of over 90,000 with just
one nylon strung guitar.
In December
1989, outraged by the forced repatriation of the Vietnamese
Boat People, Steve instigated Rock Against Repatriation and,
together with a host of other artists recorded a new version
of the classic song 'Sailing' which was released and charted
in February 1990.
In 1992
Steve realised a long held ambition by collaborating with
the London Chamber Orchestra on a performance of Vivaldi's
Guitar Concerto at London's prestigious South Bank. It is
precisely this ability to successfully bridge the musical
spectrum that has earned him the admiration both of rock
contemporaries and leading classical players such as Yehudi
Menuhin.
1993 saw
Hackett take yet another new direction with Guitar Noir
which, as the title suggests, explores the deeper shadows of
compostion and of the instrument. This inspired combination
of layered textures of sounds was without doubt his most
adventurous work yet.
Like many of
his former collaborators who have succeeded artistically on
their own terms, Steve Hackett has remained true to his
muses, someone who cannot be easily packaged and indeed has
an aversion to the trappings of rock stardom. Yet, there can
be no denying that Hackett is a legend whose reputation
rests on sheer talent, sensitive playing and a never failing
ability to challenge and intrigue his audience.
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