Tak było:
Genesis play in Poland for the first time
It's very hard to write something original about the popularity of Genesis in
Poland. They were always one of the most played and beloved rock bands in
this country, having a very solid place in the music scene in Poland. I don't
think even members of the group were - or are - aware of this. They were
always big stars here. The people here just loved the music from the very
beginning. You can call it a "Polish Genesis Syndrome". Genesis was a
trademark in Poland (like Mercedes) , comparable maybe only with Pink Floyd
and Yes. It's partly because of specific national tastes and partly because
the listeners here are IMO more "progressive" - that's because of long
tradition (since late 60's) of promoting that kind of music by Polish radio.
In Poland we didn't have a real music market until 1990, so it's hard to
estimate the sales of Genesis' music - most of the music was from import or
was recorded from the radio), and there were no commercial radio stations.
There were only a few big rock stars on tour here. So in the 80's thousands
of people were driving to Berlin or Budapest to see the band live. A large
part of the audience was always from Poland, and it was always the louder
part! You can't judge everything from a commercial point of view.
As I mentioned above, all music came from the national radio stations like
Channel 3. There were some very well-known people in radio, like Piotr
Kaczkowski, who had a chance to create people's tastes through the years.
They weren't playing disco music and they weren't playing punk. They were
playing a lot of progressive music. Many, many people were hooked on this
kind of music then - including me. In the middle of the 70's there was no
punk music in Polish radio. The more adult oriented Channel 1 was playing
some disco stuff, but even they preferred Pink Floyd. The authorities
(including the Polish government) didn't care much about rock music. There
was no problem with playing Genesis, Yes or Roxy Music. Even 'The Final Cut'
by Pink Floyd with its "Brezhnew took Afghanistan" phrase was played on the
radio in the early 80's. The music was the most powerful and most significant
link between young people here and in the West.
So, since late 60's progressive rock music has been played in polish radio.
Genesis was known here since very beginning of they career. Polish listeners
knew Genesis since their first single, 'The Silent Sun'. The great and most
popular Polish radio editor - Piotr Kaczkowski is one of the biggest Genesis-
fans in the world! He interviewed them a few months ago. The interview was
also in the music press. A few weeks ago he played 'The Silent sun' and
remained everybody how he brought this record first time to the control room
and presented the song to the listeners. He played also 'Supper's Ready' -
from the start to the end - and 'Turn It on Again' - live.
Let's get back in the history. There was no chance to see the band live here,
but every record was immediately recorded from the radio and played on every
party. Every time Genesis released a new record there was a special radio
broadcast on Channel 3. The albums were presented in their entirety! All the
lyrics were translated. Every new Genesis album was here a big event -
special programs on the radio, a high rate in the radio charts, the lyrics
translated and many, many clubs which played the music. For example: Student
clubs organised the premiere of new Genesis album and a hundreds (!) of
people came to hear the music. Only the music from the record! This was a big
event! Man, a new Genesis album had come out! It was in good style to have a
new Genesis or Floyd record.
The records were imported from the West and they were VERY, VERY expensive.
But there was no black hole here. The music was here all the time. If Genesis
came to Poland in 1986 like they came to Budapest they had a chance to meet
their best audience EVER! I'm sure that almost every young man has heard here
about Genesis.
I remember every party included 'Mama'. Last voting for the most popular
Genesis songs was not the small "fan club affair". It was presented by one of
the biggest radio stations in the country. Thousands of people participated.
There was a lot discussion about it everywhere.
Everyone knows Genesis and has their beloved album or song. And there is one
important thing. I NEVER heard here that Genesis music is "not commercial".
Nobody ever was saying that it is "too complicated", "too long" or "too
difficult". I heard many times that it became ... too commercial.
When 'Invisible Touch' came out there was something like a "national debate"
about that. Only 'Abacab' wasn't very popular here. Maybe it was also "too
commercial"? Ha, ha! I'm not joking. It was that kind of thinking: "They've
become too commercial". You must remember that the fans only had the music
recorded from the radio. They didn't have a copy of Music Week or Rolling
Stone. There was no MTV and no record stores like we have now. People
listened to the radio and the music from tapes.
Below you can see Poland's "national" TOP LIST of Genesis' songs. Hey! In how
many countries would you be able to compile such a list? No 'Invisible
Touch', no 'That's All'...
Now it's 1998 and Genesis is finally coming to Poland. The music scene
rapidly changed. There are thousands of music stores everywhere. There are
many commercial radio stations. The stars are coming here and playing gigs.
We have even our own music television called Atomic. And Genesis' music is
popular as ever!
I saw Genesis six years ago in Berlin. There were 120.000 people on Mayfield.
I remember singing 'The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway' along with Phil Collins.
Suddenly I noticed that I was the only one in the nearest crowd who knew the
words! People seemed to not knowing the old songs at all. But the spectrum of
Genesis audience was real impressive. And now I hear they've cancelled their
North American tour and I feel a little bit sad. Because in my
country 'Calling All Stations' was accepted straight away and is selling very
well (see below). IMHO it is their best album in years! I think it is common
opinion here. 'Congo' was a big hit here. And the show in Katowice surely
will be a success! There is a lot of Genesis music in the radio. Genesis is
not commercial, too difficult? Rubbish! Thousands of fans in this part of the
world can't be wrong!
Well, maybe other people from Poland will send their thoughts here...
Favourite Genesis' songs in Poland - the poll
On January 10, 21 days before the concert in Katowice, Polish fans finally
chose their favourite and most beloved Genesis songs. Piotr Kaczkowski (see
the photograph) - the legend of Polish radio, was presenting first TOP 21
songs between 4 PM and 7 PM CET on Channel 3.
This is the list of the most popular Genesis songs chosen by the listeners of
one of the biggest radio stations in Poland: Channel 3. It was presented
during special 3-hours broadcast last Saturday. Thousands of listeners
participated in the voting (this aroused big interest in music business in
Poland and there was lot discussion about that here). During three hours in
the best radio time the music of Genesis was filling the air over Poland.
Piotr Kaczkowski started the broadcast with the words: "Welcome to the
Saturday afternoon broadcast on Channel 3: Tonight - Genesis, Genesis and
once again Genesis. 21 days before the first Genesis' show in Poland we are
counting first 21 songs of all time. We have only three hours and so much
music to play..."
Here is the full list:
Mama (83)
Supper's Ready (72)
Follow You, Follow Me (78)
Firth Of Fifth (73)
Home By The Sea (83)
Carpet Crawl (74)
Calling All Stations (97)
