By Dave Swanson
Ask a random music listener their take on David Bowie and/or Genesis and you're likely to get wildly different stories. Ask someone who considers themselves a genuine fan of either of these acts and you're just as likely to get wildly different takes. Both Bowie and Genesis have a rich history of making music of various styles which ultimately helped create legions of obsessive fans.
Many acts go through changes (though others slavishly adhere to one thought and run with it forever). The aforementioned acts never took that path, and were all the better for it. Each of them rose to fame in the 1970s, but each had roots that began in the '60s. Two new releases spotlight the earliest steps taken by both.
First off, Mr. David Jones was one of countless British youth who took the spark ignited by the Beatles, and others of the "beat group" era, and tried to catch that fire. Jones made the rounds as a solo artist, and in bands such as the Mannish Boys and the Lower Third. All of those incarnations are included on this newly released set, "David Bowie: The Shel Talmy Recordings." His first single, "Liza Jane," preceded his association with Talmy (therefore not included here) and was a genuine R&B rave-up, but he soon regrouped to form the Mannish Boys, which is where producer Talmy enters the story.
Talmy was notable for his work with the Kinks, the Who and other British acts (though he was a transplanted American), and he immediately saw something in Bowie. "I always thought he was incredibly talented, he was extremely bright, he impressed me as knowing exactly where he was going," Talmy was quoted as saying. "He was 17 when I first recorded him, with the Mannish Boys. I honestly didn't think that what he was writing at the time had a snowball's chance in hell of making it, but I thought he's so original and brash, let's take a flier."
Author and Bowie authority Karen Laney suggests that "Talmy's belief in the young Davie Jones proves he could spot a 'Starman' and capsulate a meteorite in the making," adding, "It's the electricity of Bowie that shines brightest here. We can all thank our lucky stars these recordings have found us!" Songs like "You've Got a Habit of Leaving Me" and "Baby Loves That Way" capture that charge of the Kinks and Who, while "Leave Her to Me" conjures up the grit of the early Pretty Things.
Throughout the 22 tracks on the CD, we are treated to some raucous mod-styled rock 'n' roll and some rough-and-tumble R&B. Guest players included Jimmy Page and Nicky Hopkins. Also included are some previously unissued demos as well as alternate takes on some of the singles. The sound here is top-shelf; in fact, the more well-known tracks have never sounded better! It's a fascinating gaze into the early days of a rock 'n' roll legend like no other.
From their Charterhouse School days on to their stadium-filling years, Genesis were truly their own creation. Like Bowie, their first steps were spent figuring out just who they were, and also like Bowie, that identity would shift and change drastically over the years.
Schoolmates Anthony Phillips, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Peter Gabriel were also enamored by the beat group sounds, but also in their attaché was a knowledge of classical and folk music. Drawing on those influences would ultimately shape their style. With their 1970 album "Trespass," they had dove headfirst into the progressive rock end of the pool, a path that would lead to classic albums like "Nursery Cryme," "Foxtrot," "Selling England by the Pound" and ultimately, "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway."
The long story short is that lead singer Peter Gabriel left as the others soldiered on through a series of records that would lead to unlikely mega-pop success in the following decade. The first chapter of the band took shape in 1967 as they began working on songs and recording demos. Eventually, they were brought to the attention of a former Charterhouse member, Jonathan King, who had minor pop music success in 1964 with the hit "Everyone's Gone to the Moon."
King had moved into management and signed this new band, hooking them up with Decca Records. He christened them Genesis, and in 1968 they set about to record their debut single, "The Silent Sun." The song was a sophisticated pop gem overflowing with folk and classical ornamentation, very much influenced by the early Bee Gees. They recorded their debut album, which was full of this style. Minimal orchestration would ride tandem with psychedelic and pop sounds, all the while familiar yet strikingly new. With the band not settled on a name for the album, King decided to call it "From Genesis to Revelation." All well and good, but it became problematic when record shops thought it was a religious record and would file accordingly, leading to more confusion.
The album was released in March 1969 to a thunderous round of silence. Those who may have loved it never heard it and, well, essentially, no one heard it. Shame as it is a minor masterpiece, despite many a Genesis fan disliking it to this day. Fools! Now, nearly 60 years later, it is being given the royal reissue treatment in this multidisc box set. Songs like "In the Beginning," "The Conqueror," "In the Wilderness" and "The Serpent" remain lost classics from this band, while early demo recordings such as "Hey!" and "The Magic of Time" never made it to proper studio takes, yet still capture that magic of the era and the band.
Spread over four CDs and one Blu-ray, we are treated to remastered versions of the original stereo and rare mono mixes, a brand-new 2026 remix, the original mono singles remastered and an entire disc of early demos and outtakes, some previously unreleased. The music within has never sounded better! The Blu-ray also includes 96 kHz/24-bit Atmos, 5.1 surround sound and stereo mixes by Stephen W. Tayler as well as a recent video interview featuring Tony Banks, Peter Gabriel and Mike Rutherford in conversation at AIR Studios, London, discussing the album and its history.
So whether as historical content or just wonderful music, both releases are fantastically fascinating looks behind the curtain. Dig in!
Released by and photos courtesy of Parlophone/Rhino and Esoteric/Cherry Red
By: Sarah Swirsky, MSW, LISW-S, Music + Wellness Coordinator for the Summit FM
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and remind one another that support is available.
For those of us who love music, this issue can feel especially close to home. Unfortunately, we’ve lost many beloved musicians and members of the music community to suicide. Their losses are a reminder that mental health struggles can affect anyone—even the artists whose music has brought comfort, joy, and connection to so many of us.
Suicide prevention isn’t only about what happens in a moment of crisis. It’s also about connection—checking in on the people in our lives, listening without judgment, and making it a little easier to talk about mental health when things aren’t going well.
Music can help us create those connections, too. A song can help us say something we don’t quite have words for, remind us of someone we care about, or simply help us feel less alone. Send someone a song that made you think of them. Share a playlist. Invite a friend to a show. Or just ask someone how they’re doing—and take the time to really listen.
Throughout September, The Summit FM will be sharing special wellness moments focused on suicide prevention, mental health resources, and the importance of staying connected.
Resources
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org/). Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7. You do not have to be suicidal to reach out.
If you’re looking for mental health or substance use services locally, the Summit County Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health (ADM) Services Board and the Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board can help connect residents with local treatment, support, and community resources.
For musicians and people working in the music industry, MusiCares provides mental health, addiction recovery, and other wellness resources specifically for the music community.
The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation also offers QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training, which teaches everyday people how to recognize warning signs, have a conversation with someone they’re concerned about, and help connect them with support.
We all have a role to play in creating communities where people feel a little less alone. This September, check in, stay connected, share the music, and keep the conversation going.
Akron's Annie Lillis is the drummer with The Surfrajettes, the all-female four-piece instrumental surf-rock combo. She's on-the-road constantly, and has begun audio-blogging for The Summit FM from the road. These are dispatches from the tour vehicle, thoughts and concepts from the road, in the perspective of a full time musician who quit her real job to follow the beat of Rock N Roll!
Live Photo by Darrin Commerford
Drumkit Photo by Shermy Freeman
Congratulations to Jramayne Williams, our 2026 Jim Chenot Attitude for Gratitude Scholarship winner!
When Jramayne's mother was injured and suddenly unable to work last summer, he stepped up — working 50+ hour weeks to help cover his family's bills while balancing college courses, varsity athletics, and 60 miles a week of running, the anchor that kept him grounded.
He didn't just endure. He thrived: a 3.5+ GPA, team captain, First Team All-Conference, MVP honors, and 30+ college credit hours before graduation. This fall, he heads to college to study computer science and business, with a dream of building apps that help student-athletes manage academics, time, and mental health.
In his own words: "Gratitude does not mean ignoring hardship; it means recognizing the growth that comes from it."
Jim Chenot lived by finding the bright spot and acknowledging the positive around him — and Jramayne embodies that spirit completely. Jim would be proud. We sure are.
The Jim Chenot Attitude for Gratitude Scholarship is held and distributed by Akron Community Foundation. Learn more or donate: thesummit.fm/scholarships
"Attitude for Gratitude" Scholarship Selection Committee: Matt Anthony, Cheryl McMillan, Sarah Swirsky
Photos: Above: Jramayne Williams and The Summit FM's Matt Anthony, "Attitude for Gratitude" Scholarship Committee Chair. Below: Jramayne Williams
Last Thursday, May 22, Summit FM members gathered at the Lockview in downtown Akron for another Sounding Board session (#51!) — an exclusive perk of Summit membership. Hosted by Summit FM Music Director Chad Miller, attendees listened to 12 new songs and cast their votes to help decide which tracks will make their way onto The Summit FM airwaves.
It’s one of the many ways our members help shape the music you hear every day while supporting independent radio and discovering new artists first.
Want to be part of the next Sounding Board? Become a member today!
Results
1.) Lambrini Girls - "Cult of Celebrity"
2.) Thee Sacred Souls - "Any Old Fool"
3.) Shakey Graves - "When the Love Is New"
4.) Happy Landing - "Machines"
5.) Caroline Rose - "Yip Yip Yow"
6.) Houndmouth - "Tiger Blood"
7.) Allison Russell - "Cold April"
8.) American Football - "Wake Her Up"
9.) Kurt Vile - "Chance to Bleed"
10.) Julianna Riolino - "Like a Rembrandt"
11.) Grace Potter - "Love Me Not"
12.) Beth Orton - "Waiting"
By Sarah Swirsky, MSW, LISW-S
As a working talk therapist, I believe deeply in the power of a good conversation. Being heard, gaining insight, and feeling connected can be life-changing. But I can also tell you this: when I’m in a funk, one of the most reliable ways I shift my mood is by moving my body to music—whether that’s on my yoga mat, taking a walk with headphones on, or dancing in my kitchen. And when I had hip surgery, you better believe I was still dancing in my chair.
Because mental health doesn’t just live in the mind—it lives in the body, too. Stress, anxiety, grief, and burnout often show up physically, and movement can help us process, release, and regulate what words sometimes cannot. That’s also why we created our Music + Movement program: to help people experience wellness in ways that feel joyful, accessible, and real.
This May, for Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re celebrating Movement for Mental Health—and our Movement for Mental Health Challenge is already underway.
This challenge is rooted in a simple belief: movement is for every body.
For me, movement used to look like hiking a 14,000-foot mountain. I used to push my body hard and rarely questioned what it could do. But injuries, Fibromyalgia, and hip surgery changed my relationship with movement entirely. These days, movement often looks like gentle yoga, short walks, drumming, or simply listening more carefully to what my body needs instead of fighting against it.
And honestly, that shift has taught me something important: movement still matters, even when your body changes. Maybe especially then.
That’s the heart of EveryBody, EveryWay. Wellness isn’t reserved for people with perfect bodies, unlimited energy, or intense fitness routines. It belongs to all of us.
Whether you’re already a committed mover or also finding new ways to move in a changing body, you’re invited to join us. We’re encouraging our community to aim for 150 minutes of movement each week (in whatever way works for you), with simple check-ins, music, and shared encouragement along the way.
Because sometimes, the first step toward feeling better is quite literally a step.