Steve Hackett & Steve Rothery

Pioneers of Melodic, Atmospheric, and Symphonic Progressive Rock Guitar

Biographies & Musical Connection

Steve Hackett (born 12 February 1950 in London) rose to international acclaim as the lead guitarist of Genesis from 1971 to 1977, shaping foundational progressive rock masterpieces such as Selling England by the Pound and The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Hackett is renowned for introducing two-handed tapping, sweeping volume-swell textures, and nylon-string classical discipline into rock guitar vocabulary, influencing generations of players across both prog and heavy metal.

Steve Rothery (born 25 November 1959 in Brampton, South Yorkshire) is the longtime guitarist and sole continuous member of Marillion since 1979. Channeling early inspiration from Hackett, David Gilmour, and Andrew Latimer, Rothery became the architect of neo-progressive rock guitar phrasing, celebrated for sustained singing leads, crystalline delay-drenched clean tones, and an intensely melodic sense of economy.

The artistic kinship between the two guitarists spans decades, evolving from mutual admiration into close studio and live collaboration. Rothery contributed guest guitar to Hackett’s Genesis Revisited II (2012) on "The Lamia," while Hackett appeared on Rothery’s celebrated solo debut The Ghosts of Pripyat (2014). Their longstanding creative dialogue culminated in their full-length joint instrumental release, The Roaring Waves (2026).

Selected Discography & Key Albums

Collaborative Releases

Hackett & Rothery – The Roaring Waves (2026): The landmark joint studio album bringing the two progressive guitar masters together for an expansive, atmospheric suite of interwoven melodic leads, acoustic passages, and rich cinematic soundscapes.

Steve Hackett – Landmark Solo Albums

Voyage of the Acolyte (1975): Hackett's mythical solo debut, recorded while still in Genesis with bandmates Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins, featuring progressive staples such as "Shadow of the Hierophant" and "Ace of Wands."
Spectral Mornings (1979): Widely regarded as his finest early solo outing, anchored by John Shearer's dynamic drumming and the soaring, emotional title track that remains a benchmark for melodic electric guitar tone.
Defector (1980): The commercial peak of his classic era, blending intricate progressive arrangements with punchy art-rock sensibilities on tracks like "The Steppes" and "Jacuzzi."
Genesis Revisited II (2012): A sprawling, all-star re-exploration of Genesis catalogue gems, featuring guest appearances from progressive rock luminaries, including Steve Rothery's guest lead on "The Lamia."
The Circus and the Nightwhale (2024): A conceptual autobiographical work tracing a young artist's journey through postwar London into the music industry, combining vintage prog textures with heavy modern production.

Steve Rothery – Key Solo & Side Projects

The Wishing Tree – Carnival of Souls (1996): Rothery's atmospheric side project with vocalist Hannah Stobart, balancing acoustic folk, ambient pop, and sweeping melodic lead guitar.
The Wishing Tree – Ostara (2009): The refined follow-up to Carnival of Souls, leaning deeper into lush orchestral textures, melodic vocal hooks, and evocative guitar work.
Steve Rothery – The Ghosts of Pripyat (2014): Rothery's critically acclaimed instrumental solo debut, built on ambient textures, dynamic post-rock pacing, and guest contributions from Steve Hackett ("Morpheus") and Steven Wilson.
Steve Rothery Band – Live in Rome (2014): A dynamic live documentation of the solo group performing selections from The Ghosts of Pripyat alongside extended live workouts of classic Marillion catalog pieces.