Steve Hackett is one of the most revered and distinctive guitarists in all of progressive rock — the innovative, lyrical virtuoso whose soaring, expressive playing helped define the classic sound of Genesis before he embarked on one of the richest and most enduring solo careers in the genre. Emerging from Genesis’s golden 1970s line-up, Hackett launched his solo journey in 1975 and has barely paused since, releasing a vast and remarkably varied body of work that ranges from symphonic prog and hard rock to blues, world music and gorgeous solo classical guitar. Restlessly curious yet always unmistakably himself, he remains astonishingly prolific well into a career spanning half a century. With such a sprawling catalogue, this guide maps his studio albums era by era, with a few pointers on where to begin.

The classic early era (1975–1984)

Hackett’s solo career began in spectacular fashion with Voyage of the Acolyte (1975), recorded while he was still in Genesis and widely cherished as a prog masterpiece. After leaving the band he flourished: the eclectic, star-studded Please Don’t Touch! (1978), the beloved fan-favourite Spectral Mornings (1979) — perhaps his most treasured solo record — and the atmospheric Defector (1980) form a golden run. The more pop-leaning Cured (1981) and Highly Strung (1983) followed, alongside his first delicate all-classical-guitar album Bay of Kings (1983) and the world-music-tinged Till We Have Faces (1984).

The reinvention years (1988–1999)

After a period of change, Hackett roamed across ever wider musical territory. The classical Momentum (1988) sat beside a bold turn towards darker, heavier rock on Guitar Noir (1993) and a full-blooded detour into the blues on Blues with a Feeling (1994). He then revisited his roots on the first Genesis Revisited (1996), reimagined Mendelssohn on the orchestral A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1997) and closed the century with the brooding, cinematic Darktown (1999), one of his most personal records.

The prolific new-century run (2003–2011)

The new millennium brought a remarkable burst of creativity. The rich, varied To Watch the Storms (2003) and the vivid Wild Orchids (2006) showcased his rock side, while the orchestral Metamorpheus (2005) and the classical Tribute (2008) deepened his gentler strand. Out of the Tunnel’s Mouth (2009) and the expansive Beyond the Shrouded Horizon (2011) rounded off a hugely productive decade in fine form.

The recent renaissance (2015–2024)

Hackett’s late career has been a triumphant flowering. The ambitious Wolflight (2015), the globe-spanning The Night Siren (2017) and the dramatic At the Edge of Light (2019) reaffirmed his powers, before he released two strikingly different albums in 2021 — the serene acoustic Under a Mediterranean Sky and the heavier Surrender of Silence — and then the autobiographical concept album The Circus and the Nightwhale (2024), his most recent, proving his creative fire burns as brightly as ever.

Beyond the solo albums: Genesis Revisited and more

Alongside his solo work, Hackett has lovingly reinterpreted his old band’s music across the acclaimed Genesis Revisited (1996) and Genesis Revisited II (2012) projects, celebrating the classic-era Genesis catalogue like no one else. He has also collaborated widely — most notably fronting the AOR supergroup GTR (1986) with Yes guitarist Steve Howe, and later teaming with Yes bassist Chris Squire as Squackett for A Life Within a Day (2012).

Where to start

With a catalogue this vast, a clear route in helps enormously. Voyage of the Acolyte (1975) is the essential first stop — a bona fide prog classic — closely followed by the beloved Spectral Mornings (1979), the album most fans hold dearest. For his modern sound, the acclaimed The Night Siren (2017) makes a superb gateway, while newcomers curious about his Genesis roots will find Genesis Revisited II (2012) a joy. For a fuller guide to the ideal first listens, complete with five hand-picked albums and detailed notes, see our companion piece, where to start with Steve Hackett.

Go deeper

New to the genre as a whole? Start with our progressive rock for beginners guide. As one of the architects of the classic Genesis sound, Hackett sits at the very heart of British progressive rock, his lyrical, expressive playing echoing through everything from symphonic prog to the modern scene. His story is inseparable from that of Genesis and its members’ celebrated solo careers, from Peter Gabriel to Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford. Wondering how the greats truly compare? Settle a few debates over at our prog rock band comparisons hub. And the Beyond the Sound books chart the whole story of British progressive rock — its pioneers, its virtuosos and its restless explorers — that Steve Hackett has enriched so magnificently, era by era.

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