Genesis released their double-disc concept album titled The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway in November of 1974, featuring cover design by Hipgnosis (Storm Thorgerson & Aubrey Powell).
The story describes the journey of Rael, a Puerto Rican youth, and his quest to rescue his brother John, who's lost somewhere in the nightmarish underbelly of New York City (or maybe it was just Times Square during tourist season?).
During his adventure, Rael encounters several bizarre characters, including the Slippermen and The Lamia, the latter being borrowed from Greek mythology and influenced by a poem by Keats. In contrast to the lengthy tracks featured on earlier albums, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway is a collection of shorter tracks, connected by a number of segues.
The record was received originally with mixed reviews, and reached #10 in the UK, while in the U.S. it reached #41 (and, eventually, went Gold). The band went on a world tour upon its release, performing the album in its entirety 102 times between November 1974 and May, 1975. Eager to explore his own abilities in music and theater, Gabriel decided he would leave the band after the tour and did so, amicably, in August, 1975.
