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Genesis turns it on again

The word is finally out: Genesis ' most commercially successful lineup of Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks will hit the road for the first time in 15 years with a European tour of stadiums in the summer of 2007.

"Turn It On Again - The Tour," which kicks off June 11 in Helsinki, Finland, will visit at least 12 countries, including Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Germany, France, Holland, UK, Monte Carlo and Italy. The tour itinerary can be found at the band's website.

In a press conference, Collins said the group would also tour the US next year, but the details of that 20-date outing haven't been released.

"It is a privilege to work with one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and to see their musical talent together again onstage will be incredible," European tour promoter John Giddings said in a statement. "The live shows are as famous as their music."

Tickets for the Germany shows go on sale Nov. 10 and UK show ducats hit the market Nov. 24. Other on-sale dates have yet to be announced.

Collins, Rutherford and Banks will be joined onstage by longtime Genesis sidemen Chester Thompson (drums) and Daryl Steurmer (guitar), according to a press release.

To coincide with the tour, EMI Records will re-issue 14 Genesis studio albums in three stages next year. All releases will be SACD/DVD double-disc sets with newly remastered 5.1 surround sound and stereo mixes, the press release said. The albums are scheduled to drop in March, June/July and late 2007/early 2008.

Genesis has sold more than 130 million albums and sustained success over four decades. The prog-rock band was formed in 1966 by Rutherford, Banks, Peter Gabriel and Anthony Phillips. Its most commercially successful incarnation was in the late '70s and early '80s, when Collins moved up from the drum kit to take on lead-vocal duties.

Rumors have long circulated about a Genesis reunion, including the possibility of Gabriel joining in. Though he's not a part of this tour, Gabriel, who left the band in 1975, recently said in a video blog that he hasn't ruled out the possibility in the future.