Phil Collins (b. 1951)

Biography

Philip David Charles Collins is an English singer, drummer, songwriter, record producer and actor. He was the drummer and later became the lead singer of the rock band Genesis and had a successful solo career, achieving three UK number-one singles and seven US number-one singles as a solo artist. In total, his work with Genesis, other artists and solo resulted in more US top-40 singles than any other artist throughout the 1980s. His most successful singles from the period include "In the Air Tonight", "Against All Odds ", "One More Night", "Sussudio", "Another Day in Paradise", "Two Hearts" and "I Wish It Would Rain Down".

Timeline

The story of Phil Collins, told in moments.

1970 Event

Joined Genesis as drummer at age 19. He'd answered an ad in Melody Maker. When Peter Gabriel left in 1975, Collins reluctantly took over as lead singer. He never planned to front a band.

Did you want to be frontman, or did Genesis just need someone? What changed when you stepped out from behind the drums? Was replacing Peter Gabriel intimidating or liberating?

1981 Event

Released Face Value, his solo debut. "In the Air Tonight" became a phenomenon. That drum fill. He wrote it about his divorce. The album sold six million copies. He was still drumming and singing for Genesis at the same time.

Is the story behind 'In the Air Tonight' really about your divorce? How does it feel knowing that drum fill defined a decade? Could you sustain both a solo career and Genesis indefinitely?

1985 Event

Performed at both Live Aid concerts on the same day. London at Wembley, then a Concorde flight across the Atlantic, then Philadelphia at JFK Stadium. The only artist to play both. More US Top 40 singles in the 1980s than any other artist.

Was playing both Live Aid concerts in one day madness or a point of pride? What was the Concorde flight between shows actually like? Did you realize you were making history that day?

1999 Event

Won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "You'll Be in My Heart" from Tarzan. He also wrote "Two Worlds," "Son of Man," and "Strangers Like Me" for the film. Estimated 150 million records sold worldwide across solo and Genesis work.

Did winning an Oscar for a Disney song surprise you? Is writing for animated films different from writing for yourself? How do you feel about 150 million records?

In Their Own Words (11)

I wouldn't blow my head off. I'd overdose or do something that didn't hurt. But I wouldn't do that to the children. A comedian who committed suicide in the Sixties left a note saying, 'Too many things went wrong too often.' I often think about that.

On his suicidal thoughts in recent years — "Exclusive: Phil Collins Admits Suicidal Thoughts", Rolling Stone (9 November 2010), 2010

They're just horrible. Horrible, horrible guys. They're rude, not as talented as they think they are... I won't mince words here, but they've had a go at me personally.

On Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher, BBC programme Room 101, Series 10, Episode 8, 2005, 2005

Wait for it, wait for it! Anticipation is half the fun. So I've been told...

Live at Wembley Stadium DVD (July 1987), 1987

[On his Live Aid appearance with members of Led Zeppelin] They wanted me there early to rehearse the old Zeppelin songs, but I couldn't make it and I told them, "Listen, I know the songs. I know them backward and forward." Well, that day the tempos were all over the place, and it may have seemed like it was my fault, because I was the one who hadn't rehearsed, but I would pledge to my dying day that it wasn't me. In fact, it was Tony Thompson who was racing a bit; he was a bit nervous, I guess. It came off because of the magic of being Zeppelin; but I remember in the middle of the thing, I actually thought, How do I get out of here?

Playboy interview (October 1986), 1986

Stewart Copeland is an amazing drummer. I just wish he didn't think he was amazing. Sting is a lovely bloke. We've become friends. I felt honored to be on stage with him at Live Aid.

Playboy interview (October 1986), 1986