ROCK legend Steve Hackett returns to Merseyside later this year as part of his UK tour.

The former lead guitarist with '70s band Genesis is at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on October 19 as part of his Acolyte to Wolflight with Genesis revisited tour.

It features solo material from early albums including Voyage of the Acolyte which celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year, Spectral Mornings and new studio album Wolflight.

There will also be something for Genesis fans, with hits that have not been played by Steve for a while.

Looking forward to the show, Steve told the Globe today: "It's been a year or two since I last played the Philharmonic, but I'm looking forward to going back.

"It's a massive tour and choosing the songs was a tall order.

"I'm looking forward tremendously to creating a show celebrating both early material and my latest album Wolflight, using magical surround sound."

Joining Steve in the band are Roger King on keyboards, Gary O’Toole on drums, Rob Townsend on sax, Roine Stolt on bass and 12-string guitar and singer Nad Sylvan.

Guitarist and singer Amanda Lehmann will join some of the shows as special guest.

Steve continued: "We're also involving a whole new set of Genesis Classics, including several numbers I've not played since the '70s, such as Can-Utility and the Coastliners, Cinema Show and Lamb Lies Down On Broadway."

Steve's aim with new album Wolflight is to take the listener on an imaginary journey through time and space on the eternal quest for freedom.

He said: "I've been touring relentlessly for the last two or three years, so finding the time to record the album was difficult.

"But I did it and am very pleased with it. It's the kind of album that I've been trying to make for many years. It's gone down massively well.

"It combines the classic with rock and uses world instruments. For example, I used a Tar from Azerbhijan and didgeridoo from Australia."

Following his split Genesis in 1977, Steve started a prolific solo career, drawing on influences from blues, jazz, classical and ethnic music.

He also influenced some of the biggest names in music, including Queen's Brian May and American rocker Eddie Van Halen.

On his time with Genesis, he said: “The band was very good to all that were involved with it.

“The times with Genesis were great, particularly when Peter Gabriel was lead singer.

"In 1973 we were in America trying to get gigs and John Lennon said he listening to us.

"The fact that we caught Lennon’s ear for more than five seconds gave us the boost we needed."

Tickets for his show at the Liverpool Philharmonic are from the box office on 0151 709 3789.