Genesis. Phil Collins in a Showco shirt.

Genesis (1975–1979): Prog-Rock Giants in Transition

Showco provided sound and lighting for Genesis from 1975 through 1979, supporting the British prog-rock giants through a transformative era—from the Gabriel years through their evolution with Phil Collins at the helm. Showco engineers and crew delivered the expansive, dynamic sound and visuals these ambitious productions required. This partnership laid the groundwork for Genesis's investment in Vari-Lite in the early 1980s, helping revolutionize concert lighting forever.

This collection features photos, passes, crew shirts, and memorabilia from those who were there.

If you were part of the Showco crew on a Genesis tour—or have photos, documents, or stories to share—I'd love to add your piece of history to the archive.

A hand-drawn family tree titled 'The Genesis Family Tree' showing generations of individuals with their birth and death dates, including photographs and illustrations.

Official tour programme from Genesis's 1975 tour during the "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" era

View Tour Programme (PDF)

1978 "...And Then There Were Three" Tour Program (Japanese Edition)

Official tour program from Genesis's 1978 tour through Holland and Japan. Entirely in Japanese. Courtesy of Showco alum Johnny "JW" Roberts.

Coming soon to the Swag Shop.

View Tour Program (PDF)

Genesis 1978 Poster Program

Genesis 1977 Crew Master

Genesis 1977 World Tour Program

Genesis “Mirror Tour” Lighting Experimentation (1977–1978)

Among the more unusual artifacts recently documented within the Showco Archives are a group of surviving 2K axial lekos housed in original Showco road cases still bearing faded Dallas markings and stenciling.

The fixtures are believed to date to Genesis’ ambitious 1977/78 “Mirror Tour,” an experimental stage lighting concept that utilized motorized mirrors suspended above the stage to reflect beams back down onto the performers. According to recollections shared between several touring veterans — including Brian Croft, Tom Littrell, John Coppen, Willie Williams, and others — the lekos were positioned upstage and aimed upward into the moving mirror system.

The concept reportedly proved challenging in practice. The lekos were ultimately considered not powerful enough to compete with the main lighting rig and were later replaced with carbon arc Super Troupers. Correspondence also references the technical difficulties involved in operating the early pan-and-tilt mirror system, with Jim Waits reportedly overseeing the mirror mechanics during the tour.

One contributor described the setup as:
“A sort of giant Pan Can.”

Another jokingly noted:
“Find the mirrors in someone’s back garden and you have a lost Picasso.”

The surviving fixtures themselves remain remarkable artifacts from a transitional period in concert lighting history — representing the kind of experimentation and engineering that would eventually help lead toward later innovations such as Vari-Lite, developed only a few years later by the same Texas-based touring community behind Showco.

The images and historical correspondence shared here were preserved through contributions and recollections from Jim Laws, Brian Croft, Tom Littrell, John Coppen, Willie Williams, and others connected to the original touring production.

Special thanks to Jim Laws for sharing the photographs and helping preserve this overlooked chapter of live production history.