Richard Macphail, is an interesting character in the history and world of Genesis. From early in their lives Richard happened to be at Charterhouse with Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford, Peter Gabriel and Anthony Phillips. He was a good friend of them and an early champion of the band. His friendship grew into him being the chief dogsbody and thorough support of the group.
His role was not just that of mentor, but it grew into cook, driver of the van, equipment repair, roadie and front of house sound engineer. Richard tells his story from his view point, this is unique in the history of the group because he was actually there and was a witness to a variety of key moments in the groups history. Most serious of all was the exit of Anthony Phillips from the group. Richard left at the end of The Foxtrot tour, but he returned for a brief stint during the north American Selling England by the Pound tour. Before leaving again and avoiding the mess that became The Lamb tour.
Richard’s book covers the first 30 years of his life and you’ll have to read it to follow the journey he took, it is at times candid but also fair. In short an excellent read and insight into the man who some could rightly call the Sixth member of the group.
Author: Richard Macphail / Chris Charlesworth
Hardcover: 234 pages
Publisher: Argyle & Bute (28th Nov. 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1-5272-1504-7
Price: £19.99
Available from: Richards Office Site
