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This day-by-day diary of Genesis' live, studio, broadcasting and private activities is the result of three decades of research and interview work by Bruno Ceriotti, but without the significant contributions of other kindred spirits this diary would not have been possible. So, I would like to thank all the people who, in one form or another, contributed to this timeline: Jac Ttanna (RIP), Fred Rivera, Sue Richman, Bob Metke, Howard B. Wolf, Ross Hannan, Corry Arnold, Mike Stax, Greg Prevost, Fred Hoffman, Al Ehlers, Ugly Things, Los Angeles Free Press, Cash Box, Record World, Billboard, The Chicago Seed, Kaleidoscope Chicago, The Los Angeles Times, and Berkeley Barb.
August 1967
Obviously not to be confused with the way more famous group from England, the "American" Genesis were an underrated hard rock band from Los Angeles, California, founded by Jac Ttanna (b. Joe Kooken, Thursday, Decembert 4, 1941, Pottsville, Pennsylvania - d. Monday, August 22, 2022, while he was asleep during the night at his ome in Bangkok, Thaoland, for food poisoning), former singer and rhythm guitar player of the recently disbanded the Sons Of Adam. "The Sons Of Adam broke up for good in early July," Jac recalls. "I spent most of the summer writing songs and looking for kindred spirits." A couple of weeks later, around the middle of July, Jac met a 18-year-old up-and-coming singer (and former member of an all-girl Beatles fan club called 'The Beatle Boosters Fan Club') named Susan Estelle 'Sue' Richman (b. Sunday, July 3, 1949, Brooklyn, New York). "I met Jac at the Brave New World in Hollywood," Sue recalls. "My record… 'I'm Sorry Baby' by the Canaries on Bell Records (I was 15 when I got my first record deal) which I sang lead on was in their juke box. Jac heard it and asked me if I wanted to start a band with him. I immediately said yes!" "She was beautiful and really talented," Jac continues. "We worked up a few songs, and when we played them for Mike Port, he saw that we were on to something and joined immediately." The late Mike Port was the bass player of the Sons Of Adam, and he was still unemployed since that band disbanded, so he was an obvious choice for the new band Jac was putting together. Another month later, in August, "I found Kent Henry and Bob Metke around the same time in different bars playing in different bands," Jac continues. "Kent was playing guitar with Eddie James and the Pacific Ocean. Eddie was a great showman, but the band was going nowhere. Eddie eventually turned to acting and became very successful as Edward James Olmos. Bob was the drummer in a band called Rain… also a pretty good band, but it was obvious that Kent and Bob were both way better than their bands, and both were ready to move on. Both these guys blew me away. Kent was knowledgeable in almost every form of music, and a technical monster. Bob was the funkiest drummer I'd ever seen, and also a great singer." So, with the arrivals of the late Kent Henry (b. Kent Henry Plischke, Monday, April 5, 1948, Hollywod, Los Angeles - d. Wednesday, March 18, 2009, Portland, Oregon) on lead guitar, and Robert William 'Bob' Metke, aka 'The Crusher' (b. Tuesday, December 24, 1946, Sacramento County, California) on drums, formerly of Rain, and the Royal Coachmen, the band seemed ready to start, but, at last minute, Mike Port changed his mind and left. "I knew we were going to be very good, but Mike, for some reason, didn't see it that way, and left," Jac confirms. Fortunately, they quickly find a new bass player named Fred Rivera, aka 'Foxey' (b. Frederick Arthur Rivera, Sunday, May 19, 1948, East Los Angeles, California), formerly of the Saints, and more recently a member of the Pacific Ocean with his best friend Kent Henry. "He was eager to keep playing with Kent, and, with the addition of 'Foxey' Freddie, Genesis was born," Jac concludes. "The premise of the group was to incorporate great songs and great harmonies with a really creative power trio. It worked!" "We rehearse almost every day at Bob's place," Jac also recalls. "Bob lived in the basement of the Argyle [House Luxury] Apartments [located at 1755 Argyle Avenue, Hollywood]. There was a kitchen down there but nothing else and Bob talked the manager into letting him stay there if he turned the rest of the basement into a rentable apartment. He was a genius at turning nothing into something, and he built a really cool living space. I had no money and nowhere to live so I stayed with him and his girlfriend Sherry (the only one working). The gear was always set up. Kent and Freddy took their instruments home, but everything else was there. We played all day." "What I remember the most was the rehearsals in Bob's basement apartment," Fred Rivera also recalls. "We spent countless hours and it was isolated so well that we could play all night. None of us were into drugs. Sure, we smoked a little weed but no hard drugs. We just didn't." After several rehearsals, "when I thought we were ready," concludes Jac, "I call [the Sons Of Adam's former manager] Howard [B.] Wolf to came take a listen." Eventually Howard became the band manager and also came up with the name Genesis.
Obviously not to be confused with the way more famous group from England, the "American" Genesis were an underrated hard rock band from Los Angeles, California, founded by Jac Ttanna (b. Joe Kooken, Thursday, Decembert 4, 1941, Pottsville, Pennsylvania - d. Monday, August 22, 2022, while he was asleep during the night at his ome in Bangkok, Thaoland, for food poisoning), former singer and rhythm guitar player of the recently disbanded the Sons Of Adam. "The Sons Of Adam broke up for good in early July," Jac recalls. "I spent most of the summer writing songs and looking for kindred spirits." A couple of weeks later, around the middle of July, Jac met a 18-year-old up-and-coming singer (and former member of an all-girl Beatles fan club called 'The Beatle Boosters Fan Club') named Susan Estelle 'Sue' Richman (b. Sunday, July 3, 1949, Brooklyn, New York). "I met Jac at the Brave New World in Hollywood," Sue recalls. "My record… 'I'm Sorry Baby' by the Canaries on Bell Records (I was 15 when I got my first record deal) which I sang lead on was in their juke box. Jac heard it and asked me if I wanted to start a band with him. I immediately said yes!" "She was beautiful and really talented," Jac continues. "We worked up a few songs, and when we played them for Mike Port, he saw that we were on to something and joined immediately." The late Mike Port was the bass player of the Sons Of Adam, and he was still unemployed since that band disbanded, so he was an obvious choice for the new band Jac was putting together. Another month later, in August, "I found Kent Henry and Bob Metke around the same time in different bars playing in different bands," Jac continues. "Kent was playing guitar with Eddie James and the Pacific Ocean. Eddie was a great showman, but the band was going nowhere. Eddie eventually turned to acting and became very successful as Edward James Olmos. Bob was the drummer in a band called Rain… also a pretty good band, but it was obvious that Kent and Bob were both way better than their bands, and both were ready to move on. Both these guys blew me away. Kent was knowledgeable in almost every form of music, and a technical monster. Bob was the funkiest drummer I'd ever seen, and also a great singer." So, with the arrivals of the late Kent Henry (b. Kent Henry Plischke, Monday, April 5, 1948, Hollywod, Los Angeles - d. Wednesday, March 18, 2009, Portland, Oregon) on lead guitar, and Robert William 'Bob' Metke, aka 'The Crusher' (b. Tuesday, December 24, 1946, Sacramento County, California) on drums, formerly of Rain, and the Royal Coachmen, the band seemed ready to start, but, at last minute, Mike Port changed his mind and left. "I knew we were going to be very good, but Mike, for some reason, didn't see it that way, and left," Jac confirms. Fortunately, they quickly find a new bass player named Fred Rivera, aka 'Foxey' (b. Frederick Arthur Rivera, Sunday, May 19, 1948, East Los Angeles, California), formerly of the Saints, and more recently a member of the Pacific Ocean with his best friend Kent Henry. "He was eager to keep playing with Kent, and, with the addition of 'Foxey' Freddie, Genesis was born," Jac concludes. "The premise of the group was to incorporate great songs and great harmonies with a really creative power trio. It worked!" "We rehearse almost every day at Bob's place," Jac also recalls. "Bob lived in the basement of the Argyle [House Luxury] Apartments [located at 1755 Argyle Avenue, Hollywood]. There was a kitchen down there but nothing else and Bob talked the manager into letting him stay there if he turned the rest of the basement into a rentable apartment. He was a genius at turning nothing into something, and he built a really cool living space. I had no money and nowhere to live so I stayed with him and his girlfriend Sherry (the only one working). The gear was always set up. Kent and Freddy took their instruments home, but everything else was there. We played all day." "What I remember the most was the rehearsals in Bob's basement apartment," Fred Rivera also recalls. "We spent countless hours and it was isolated so well that we could play all night. None of us were into drugs. Sure, we smoked a little weed but no hard drugs. We just didn't." After several rehearsals, "when I thought we were ready," concludes Jac, "I call [the Sons Of Adam's former manager] Howard [B.] Wolf to came take a listen." Eventually Howard became the band manager and also came up with the name Genesis.
GENESIS #1 (AUGUST 1967 - MAY 28, 1968)
1) Jac Ttanna rhythm guitar, vocals
2) Sue Richman vocals, tambourine, maracas
3) Kent Henry lead guitar
4) Bob Metke (aka The Crusher) drums
5) Fred Rivera (aka Foxey) bass
1) Jac Ttanna rhythm guitar, vocals
2) Sue Richman vocals, tambourine, maracas
3) Kent Henry lead guitar
4) Bob Metke (aka The Crusher) drums
5) Fred Rivera (aka Foxey) bass
Genesis #1, Los Angeles, 1967/68 - from left: Jac Ttanna, Bob Metke, Fred Rivera, Sue Richman, and Kent Henry
Genesis #1, Los Angeles, 1967/68 - from left: Bob Metke, Kent Henry, Sue Richman, Fred Rivera, and Jac Ttanna
Genesis #1, Los Angeles, 1968 - from left: Bob Metke, Kent Henry, Sue Richman, Fred Rivera, and Jac Ttanna
Genesis #1, Los Angeles, 1967/68 - from left: Jac Ttanna, Kent Henry, Sue Richman, Fred Rivera, and Bob Metke
Genesis #1, Los Angeles, 1967/68 - from left: Jac Ttanna, Kent Henry, Sue Richman, Fred Rivera, and Bob Metke
Fall 1967: Doug Weston's Troubadour Club, 9081 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California
"Howard Wolf set up a showcase for us at the Troubadour," recalls Jac Ttanna. "Which led to a recording contract with Mercury [Records]. Don't ask me for a date, but I think we were on the same bill as the Carpenters [actually still called the Spectrum by then]. I think we played there more than once." "I remember the showcase at the Troubadour. It was THE place for new artists to be signed," confirms Fred Rivera.
Monday, December 25 (?) - Sunday, December 31, 1967 (?): Galaxy Club, 8917 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California
Also on the bill: Plus Life. "I remember Darryl DeLoach [singer] from Iron Butterfly sitting in for an entire set one night, and [drummer] Joey Covington probably jammed with us almost every night," Jac Ttanna recalls.
Los Angeles Free Press (December 29, 1967)
Friday, January 12 - Saturday, January 13, 1968: The Cheetah, 1 Navy Street, Santa Monica (actually just over the line in Venice Beach), Los Angeles County, California
Also on the bill: The Union Gap, The Litter.
Los Angeles Free Press (January 12, 1968)
Friday, January 19 - Sunday, January 21, 1968: 'Dance', Avalon Ballroom, 1268 Sutter Street at Van Ness Street, Polk Gulch, San Francisco, California
Also on the bill: Siegel Schwall, Mother Earth. Lights by Diogenes. These shows, which lasted from 9:00pm to 2:00am each day, were presented by Family Dog, a production company founded two years earlier by the great late Chet Helms, former manager of Big Brother and the Holding Company. "I have recently heard some tapes of a live performance from the Avalon," Jac Ttanna recalls. "There are only a couple of songs, but, to me, it sounds better than the record. Kent and Metke are on fire, and the live version of 'Gloomy Sunday' sounds wonderful. I'm not sure when or how they will be released."
Early 1968: Amigo Studios, 11114 Cumpston Street, North Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California
Genesis recorded their first and only album, 'In The Beginning,' with Steve Douglas as producer and Hank 'No Socks' Cicalo as sound engineer. "I made the deal and came up with the title In The Beginning," recalls Howard Wolf. "Is the first words in Genesis in the bible. I wasn't religious or anything, I just thought it was unique." "During the recording Steve Douglas had a heart attack and I had to complete the album," adds Wolf. "Mercury Records office and rehearsal space was on Hollywood Boulevard in the Max Factor Building," recalls Fred Rivera. "That's where we did all of the pre-production work. That's when we really came together as a band. Then, we recorded [at Amigo Studios] with Steve Douglas. I remember him getting Sue's vocal performance out of her on 'Gloomy Sunday.' Tjay Contrelli from Love arranged the horns and strings." "Tjay and I discussed what I had in mind in the way of dynamics and emotion, and he came back with the charts," confirms Jac Ttanna. "I thought he did a great job. He also played the flute on 'Girl Who Never Was'."
Genesis #1, Amigo Studios, Los Angeles, early 1968 - from left: Fred Rivera, Sue Richman, Kent Henry, ?, and Bob Metke
Genesis #1, Amigo Studios, Los Angeles, early 1968 - from left: Bob Metke, Fred Rivera, and Kent Henry
Genesis #1, Amigo Studios, Los Angeles, early 1968 - from left: Fred Rivera and Kent Henry
1968: 'The Groovy Game', KHJ-TV Channel 9, KHJ TV Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California
Genesis appeared once on this 30-minute pop music oriented game show hosted by KHJ disc jockey Sam Riddle.
Friday, March 1 - Sunday, March 3, 1968: Avalon Ballroom, 1268 Sutter Street at Van Ness Street, Polk Gulch, San Francisco, California
Also on the bill: Blues Project, Taj Mahal and the Blue Flames. Lights by Electric Wallpaper. These shows, which lasted from 9:00pm to 2:00am each day, were presented by Family Dog.
Sunday, March 24, 1968: 'Benefit for Radio Strike fund for KMPX and KPPC djs', The Kaleidoscope, 6230 Sunset Boulevard at Vine Street, West Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California
Also on the bill: Sweetwater, Clear Light, Buffalo Springfield, Steppenwolf, Jefferson Airplane, Tiny Tim, H.P. Lovecraft, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Firesign Theatre, Peanut Butter Conspiracy. This was an afternoon show. The Kaleidoscope used the rotating stage to great effect, apparently managing set changes in 16 seconds. Disc jockeys on KMPX-fm radio in San Francisco, the first underground rock station in America, had gone on strike. The staff on their sister station KPPC (Pasadena) had joined them. There were a couple of events in San Francisco as well.
Friday, March 29 - Saturday, March 30, 1968: The Cheetah, 1 Navy Street, Santa Monica (actually just over the line in Venice Beach), Los Angeles County, California
Also on the bill: Moby Grape [fake group], Spirit. "I remember Spirit because during a long jam that we did on 'World Without You,' I started playing Jay [Ferguson's] congo drum," Jac Ttanna recalls. "At some point I saw Jay and Randy [California] in the audience and they seemed upset. After the set I went to their dressing room, and apologized for using the drum without asking. They both quickly said that they were arguing about something else, and I was welcome to use the drum. I don't know why, but that just didn't ring true. We had known each other for al ong time, and hung together quite a bit, but there was some kind of tension there that bothered me."
Friday, April 5 - Sunday, April 7, 1968: Kaleidoscope, 6230 Sunset Boulevard, downtown Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California
Also on the bill: The Youngbloods, Spirit. Lights by Omega's Eye. The Friday and Saturday shows started at 8:30pm, while the Sunday show started at 4:30pm.
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Friday, April 19 - Saturday, April 20, 1968: The Cheetah, 1 Navy Street, Santa Monica (actually just over the line in Venice Beach), Los Angeles County, California
Also on the bill: Fugs, Collectors.
Late April 1968
Genesis' debut single, 'Angeline / Suzanne' (Mercury 72806), was released in the US. The single, which saw some regional radio airplay but failed to chart nationally, was also released (with a picture sleeve) in Netherlands in July 1968.
Cash Box (May 4, 1968)
US promo label
US label
Netherlands front cover
Netherlands label
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US promo label
US label
Netherlands back cover
Netherlands label
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Sunday, May 5, 1968: 'Pledge Your Allegiance With Benefit A Folk-Rock', The Blue Law, 19840 South Hamilton Avenue, Torrance, Los Angeles County, California
Also on the bill: Steve Miller Blues Band, Blue Express, Hunger, Chapter 6, Pacific Gas & Electric, Sweetwater, and many more. The show, which lasted from 2:00pm to 1:00am, was presented by a non-profit organization called The Traditional Indian Land & Life Committee.
Saturday, May 11, 1968: Melodyland Theatre, 1700 South Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim, Orange County, California
Also on the bill: The Yardbirds, The Troggs. "The only thing I remember about that gig was Jimmy Page coming out by himself, sitting down on a chair with a black and white guitar and playing a piece in open tuning that just knocked us out," Jac Ttanna recalls.
Friday, May 17 - Sunday, May 19, 1968: 'Hearye Public Notice Blue Law Survival Benefit', The Blue Law, 19840 South Hamilton Avenue, Torrance, Los Angeles County, California
Also on the bill (the acts will perform on the night according to their availability): Strawberry Alarm Clock, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Pacific Gas and Electric, Sweetwater, Love Exchange, Hour Glass, Things To Come, Albert King, Red Beans & Rice, Spirit, Touch, Mothers Of Invention, H.P. Lovecraft, Triangle, East Side Kids, Copper Leaf, Fair Befall. One show each day, started at 8:00pm on Friday and Saturday, and at 2:00pm on Sunday.
Sunday, May 26, 1968: 'Hearye Public Notice Blue Law Survival Benefit', The Blue Law, 19840 South Hamilton Avenue, Torrance, Los Angeles County, California
Also on the bill: Strawberry Alarm Clock, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Things To Come, Red Beans and Rice, Spirit, Sweetwater, Touch, Mothers Of invention, H.P. Lovecraft, Triangle, East Side Kids, Fair Befall.
Tuesday, May 28, 1968
Fred Rivera received his draft notice and had no option than quit the band. He was sent to Vietnam, and there he continued to play with a new rock band called the Od Circus. "I don't know exactly when Fred left the band, but I know it was right around the time that Robert Kennedy was assassinated," Jac Ttanna recalls. "The combination of those two events sent me into a state of deep depression." Anyway, Genesis replaced him with a new bass player named Jim 'Jimmy' Chappell.
GENESIS #2 (MAY 29, 1968 - DECEMBER 28, 1968)
1) Jac Ttanna
2) Sue Richman
3) Kent Henry
4) Bob Metke
5) Jim 'Jimmy' Chappell bass
1) Jac Ttanna
2) Sue Richman
3) Kent Henry
4) Bob Metke
5) Jim 'Jimmy' Chappell bass
June 1968 (?): Club Galaxy, 8917 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California
"After we finished recording our album, but before it was released, we played a week at the Galaxy right up the street from the Whisky," Jac Ttanna recalls. "The record company wanted to coordinate our gigs with the release of the album, so we couldn't use our name. The album wasn't ready to go, but we needed to make some money so we decided to pay tribute to our old bass player and played under the name of 'The Foxey Freddie Revue featuring The Lead Zeppelin.' We just used that name thinking it was weird enough that people might come in just to see what it was. It was basically an attempt to draw people in while not drawing the attention of our record company. We figured they would never know. Ridiculous situation actually. Bob came up with the name. He usually called himself 'The Crusher' (still does), but he also sometimes referred to himself as 'The Lead Zeppelin.' This was back when Jimmy Page was still with the Yardbirds. Jimmy was hanging out at the strip a lot in those days. Did he get the name from seeing our marquee and figured if he removed the 'A' from Lead he could use it with no legal problems? I've always wondered about that." "But that's not even the funny part," Jac adds. "Freddie got his first leave from the army that same week. He brought some of his army buddies into Hollywood to show them around, and as they're driving down Sunset, the first thing he sees is his name in lights. He couldn't believe it. He had no idea who it was. Of course he came in to check it out. Needless to say, we had a great reunion. Good times."
Friday, June 21 - Saturday, June 22, 1968: The Cheetah, 1 Navy Street, Santa Monica (actually just over the line in Venice Beach), Los Angeles County, California
Also on the bill: Flatt & Scruggs, Them. Lights & Visuals by Thomas Edison Castle Ligting. These shows were presented by High Torr.
"After we finished recording our album, but before it was released, we played a week at the Galaxy right up the street from the Whisky," Jac Ttanna recalls. "The record company wanted to coordinate our gigs with the release of the album, so we couldn't use our name. The album wasn't ready to go, but we needed to make some money so we decided to pay tribute to our old bass player and played under the name of 'The Foxey Freddie Revue featuring The Lead Zeppelin.' We just used that name thinking it was weird enough that people might come in just to see what it was. It was basically an attempt to draw people in while not drawing the attention of our record company. We figured they would never know. Ridiculous situation actually. Bob came up with the name. He usually called himself 'The Crusher' (still does), but he also sometimes referred to himself as 'The Lead Zeppelin.' This was back when Jimmy Page was still with the Yardbirds. Jimmy was hanging out at the strip a lot in those days. Did he get the name from seeing our marquee and figured if he removed the 'A' from Lead he could use it with no legal problems? I've always wondered about that." "But that's not even the funny part," Jac adds. "Freddie got his first leave from the army that same week. He brought some of his army buddies into Hollywood to show them around, and as they're driving down Sunset, the first thing he sees is his name in lights. He couldn't believe it. He had no idea who it was. Of course he came in to check it out. Needless to say, we had a great reunion. Good times."
Friday, June 21 - Saturday, June 22, 1968: The Cheetah, 1 Navy Street, Santa Monica (actually just over the line in Venice Beach), Los Angeles County, California
Also on the bill: Flatt & Scruggs, Them. Lights & Visuals by Thomas Edison Castle Ligting. These shows were presented by High Torr.
Los Angeles Free Press (June 21, 1968)
Thursday, June 27, 1968: 'Phantasmagoria III - A Community Effort', Wrigley Field, 425 East 42nd Place, Los Angeles, California
Genesis appeared on the first day of this 4-day (June 27-30, but originally scheduled for June 13-16) benefit concert for the Black Congress, L.A. Free Clinic, and local radio station KPFK. Also on the bill: Bessie Griffin (canceled), Spunglass, Alice Cooper, Grass Roots, T-Bone Walker, Collectors, Frank Zappa (MC). One show, from 7:00pm to 1:00am.
Los Angeles Free Press (June 21, 1968)
Los Angeles Free Press (June 28, 1968)
Friday, July 12, 1968: Retinal Circus, 1024 Davie Street at Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Also on the bill: My Indole Ring. Lights by Addled Chromish. One show, from 9:00pm to 2:00am.
Friday, July 26 - Saturday, July 27, 1968: 'Grand Opening', The Bank, 19840 South Hamilton Avenue, Torrance, Los Angeles County, California
Also on the bill: Charlie Musselwhite Blues Band, Smokestack Lightning. Lights by 360 Degree Light Show. One show each day, from 8:30pm to 2:00am.
Friday, August 16 - Saturday, August 17, 1968: 'In Dance-Concert', Kaleidoscope, 6230 Sunset Boulevard, downtown Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California
Also on the bill: Muddy Waters, Sons Of Champlin. Lights by Little Joe. One show each day, started at 9:00pm.
Los Angeles Free Press (August 16, 1968)
Friday, August 23 - Saturday, August 24, 1968: Kaleidoscope, 6230 Sunset Boulevard, downtown Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California
Also on the bill: Moby Grape, McCoys, Group Therapy. Lights by Electroluminescence. Two shows each day, 9:00pm and 11:00pm. On Saturday, Genesis canceled their appearance at last minute after their bass player Jimmy Chappell was arrested before the show, in the parking lot of the Kaleidoscope, and jailed on charges of battery on a police officer (a felony), resisting arrest and disturbing a peace officer performing his duties.
Los Angeles Free Press (August 23, 1968)
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Los Angeles Free Press (August 23, 1968)
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Los Angels Free Press (September 6, 1968)
Friday, August 30 - Saturday, August 31, 1968: 'In Dance Concert', Kaleidoscope, 6230 Sunset Boulevard, downtown Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California
Also on the bill: Staple Singers, Zone 26. Lights by Jima. Two shows a day, 9:00pm and 11:00pm.
Early September 1968
Genesis' first and only album, 'In The Beginning' (Mercury SR 61175; Side A: '1. Angeline (Jac Ttanna, Bob Metke) / 2. Suzanne (Leonard Cohen) / 3. Gloomy Sunday (Rezső Seress) / 4. What's It All About (Jac Ttanna) / 5. Mary, Mary (B. Bennett) / 6. Ten Second Song (Kent Henry) - Side B: 1 Girl Who Never Was (Jac Ttanna) / 2. World Without You (Jac Ttanna)'), was released in the US and Canada. "When the album was released we were supposed to have marketing and tour support," recalls Howard Wolf, "but the President of Mercury changed and the new one said the promises weren't in writing so he wasn't going to honor them. So nothing happened with the release." Anyway, the album was also released in Netherlands in 1969, and then re-release in the US in 1981, in Germany in 1999 (CD), and in the UK in 2007 and 2012 (CDs), both with a post-LP bonus track, Jac Ttanna's 'The Long Road', which was recorded later that same year in an unknown local studio with Jimmy Chappell on bass and Hamilton Farley as producer. The track originally appeared in 1969 in a US Various Artists compilation, 'First Vibration', which was made in support of the Do It Now Foundation, a Hollywood anti-drug awareness organization. "Somebody heard us do the song live," Jac Ttanna recalls about 'The Long Road', "and asked us if they could put it on the album. I think we cut it specifically for that album. As far as I know all the other songs were already out by the artists. Lots of good stuff on that album - The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, Canned Heat, Donavon, Chad and Jeremy… All the proceeds went to the Do It Now Foundation."
Billboard (September 14, 1968)
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1968: unknown venue, Montana State University campus, Bozeman, Gallatin County, Montana
Also on the bill: Brown Sugar. "I got laid in Bozeman," Jac Ttanna recalls. "It was 20 below, and she insisted on sleeping with her window open. She did keep me warm though." "I managed to smuggle in some really good hashish," he adds. "Got everybody high... they loved us in Bozeman."
1968: unknown venue, Bemidji State University campus (?), Bemidji, Beltrami County, Minnesota
Friday, November 1 - Sunday, November 3, 1968: Avalon Ballroom, 1268 Sutter Street at Van Ness Street, Polk Gulch, San Francisco, California
Also on the bill: The Byrds, Taj Mahal. Lights by Jerry Abrams Headlights. These shows, which lasted from 9:00pm to 2:00am each day, were presented by Family Dog.
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Berkeley Barb (October 25, 1968)
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November 1968
Genesis' second and last single, 'Gloomy Sunday / What It's All About' (Mercury 72869), was released only in the US.
Cash Box (December 7, 1968)
Record World (December 1, 1968)
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Record World (December 28, 1968)
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December 1968 (?): unknown venue, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
Also on the bill: Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, Sweetwater (?). "We played with the Crazy World Of Arthur Brown and Sweetwater in Portland and Seattle," Sue Richman recalls. "I remember Arthur Brown chasing me around an airport with scissors trying to cut off my hair," Sue adds. "He really was crazy." "The drummer was Carl Palmer later of Emerson, Lake and Palmer," Jac Ttanna also recalls. "Kent and I were both quite impressed with his ability."
Friday, December 13 - Saturday, December 14, 1968: Eagles Auditorium, 1416 Seventh Avenue at Union Street, Seattle, King County, Washington
Also on the bill: Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, Sweetwater (?).
Thursday, December 26, 1968: The Terrace Ballroom, 464 South Main Street, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah
"The Christmas's when I was playing were pretty cool. Especially with Genesis in Salt Lake City," Jac Ttanna recalls. "In Salt Lake City it had just snowed, and it was literally a winter wonder land. The city is surrounded by mountains all covered with snow. The skies were blue and sparkling clear. At night the lights reflecting on the snow, especially The Mormon Tabernacle were incredible. I don't even remember the gig… just the lights and the atmosphere. Spectacular!!"
Friday, December 27 - Saturday, December 28, 1968: The Catacombs, 3003 South Post Oak Road, Houston, Harris County, Texas
Right after these gigs, Genesis disbanded due to "numerous internal struggles," Jac Ttanna reflects. At that point, the East Coast dates already booked for the month of January 1969 were canceled, while the band returned to Los Angeles where Jac gave up playing in bands and signed on as Lee Michaels' road manager (he later did the same for Canned Heat), Kent Henry went to play with Blue Image (and later with Steppenwolf), Sue Richman went to play with other bands (One Man's Family, Indigo, Mome Rath, The Humboldt Hot Dogs, Consenting Adults, Knickers, Thieves, and Morning, Nunes & Knight) as well as solo artist, Bob Metke went to play with other bands including one in Portland called Wrinkle in the early '70's, while Jimmy Chappell disappeared from the music scene.
Friday, January 3 - Sunday, January 5, 1969: La Cave, 10615 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio (Genesis canceled)
Friday, January 10 - Sunday, January 12, 1969: Grande Ballroom, 8952 Grand River at Beverly Court, 1 block south of Joy Road, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan (Genesis canceled)
Also on the bill: Third Power (10), Castle (11), James Gang (12). These shows were presented by Russ Gibb.
Friday, January 17 - Saturday, January 18, 1969: Aaron Russo's Kinetic Playground, 4812 North Clark Street, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois (Genesis canceled)
Also on the bill: Buddy Rich, Ars Nova.
The Chicago Seed (January 10, 1969)
Friday, January 24 - Saturday, January 25, 1969: Electric Factory, 2201 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Genesis canceled)
