Stephen Richard "Steve" Hackett (born 12 February 1950) is an English musician, songwriter and singer. He gained prominence as lead guitarist of the British progressive rock group Genesis, which he joined in 1970 and left in 1977 to pursue a solo career. Hackett contributed to six Genesis studio albums, three live albums and seven singles. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010.