How One Nina Simone Song Led to the Birth of Genesis

When musicians talk about their influences, the connections they reveal are rarely predictable. Inspiration doesn’t stay confined within genres or scenes. Instead, it often travels across unexpected musical borders. One of the more surprising examples comes from the progressive rock world: the British band Genesis once found inspiration in the work of Nina Simone.

At first glance, the connection seems unlikely. Simone’s music—deeply rooted in jazz, blues, gospel, and classical traditions—appears far removed from the elaborate progressive rock sound that Genesis would later develop. Yet influence in music has never depended on stylistic similarity alone.

An Unlikely Musical Connection

On the surface, there are very few obvious musical ties between Nina Simone and Genesis. Any similarities are subtle: perhaps the occasional piano-driven arrangement, a shared ability to deliver emotionally charged ballads, or a knack for building dramatic musical moments.

Beyond those faint overlaps, their worlds were largely separate. Genesis was formed in 1967 at Charterhouse School, an elite British boarding school, and their early careers were shaped by privilege and opportunity. Simone’s path was dramatically different. Raised in North Carolina, she fought her way into the music world while facing racial discrimination, particularly in the classical music community where she originally trained.

Their artistic journeys also reflected contrasting approaches. Genesis evolved constantly, shifting lineups and exploring new musical directions throughout their career. Simone, meanwhile, seemed to possess a clear artistic identity from the beginning. Though she blended numerous genres—jazz, classical, gospel, blues, and folk—her voice, message, and conviction remained unmistakably consistent.

In simple terms, Genesis could be categorized as a progressive rock band. Simone, on the other hand, resisted easy classification altogether.

Nina Simone in Genesis’ Early Songbook

Despite the stark differences, Simone’s music left a meaningful impression on Genesis keyboardist Tony Banks during his formative years. According to Banks, her recordings were part of the musical foundation he shared with future Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel while the two were still students.

“Peter and I had been close friends for a long time, ever since we had been at school,” Banks recalled. “He was less shy than me, but he was also quite shy. So whenever we could, we used to get around the piano, and Peter would try to sing.”

Like many young musicians just beginning to explore their creative instincts, Banks and Gabriel gravitated toward songs that inspired them. Simone’s music became part of that early exploration.

“There were certain songs that appealed to both of us,” Banks said. “And I remember working out things on the piano like ‘A Change Gonna Come’ and ‘Try a Little Tenderness’ by Otis Redding, and ‘I Put A Spell On You’ by Nina Simone.”

Those sessions around the piano helped shape the pair’s early musical chemistry. While Genesis would eventually develop a sound far removed from Simone’s, her recordings helped spark the curiosity and ambition that fueled their earliest musical experiments.

A Voice That Crossed Every Genre

Genesis were far from the only musicians captivated by Simone’s artistry. Her influence extends across generations and musical styles, reaching artists who span rock, alternative, soul, and beyond.

Jeff Buckley once openly acknowledged the depth of his admiration, admitting, “Secretly, I think I wanted to be Nina Simone,” and frequently performing her songs as part of his own musical development.

Nick Cave and Warren Ellis have also spoken about their reverence for Simone. The pair once described meeting her and witnessing her perform as one of the most unforgettable experiences of their lives. Ellis even kept a piece of her chewing gum for years, treating it as a strange but sincere talisman of inspiration and good fortune.

More recently, contemporary musicians like Cameron Winter have also embraced Simone’s work, continuing to discover new meaning in her recordings decades after they were first released.

Simone’s influence has never been limited by genre, geography, or era. Her ability to merge technical brilliance with emotional intensity created music that resonates far beyond the boundaries of jazz or soul. Even artists whose sound bears little resemblance to hers continue to draw inspiration from her fearless approach to expression.

It’s even possible that Simone herself might not have found much to admire in the elaborate world of progressive rock. Yet that contrast only highlights the remarkable reach of her artistry. Great musicians rarely inspire only those who sound like them. Instead, they ignite something deeper—an idea, a feeling, or a creative spark that travels in unexpected directions.

And in the case of Genesis, that spark helped shape the early musical conversations between two schoolboys at a piano—conversations that would eventually lead to one of the most influential rock bands of their generation.