Finally, Phil’s wife, Andy, suggested that he move out front and do the lead vocals, himself. It was like a light bulb came on for the band. Phil gave it a go and everyone was very happy with the outcome. He had sung some acoustic songs, as well as backup vocals, on previous Genesis albums, but no one was sure that he had the power to pull off the louder numbers. He did.
He became the drummer in jazz/fusion band, Brand X in 1973-74. He says, “I joined Brand X because I was getting a bit stifled with just doing Genesis. I found it very hard to get the band to play the kind of music that I was listening to—Mahavishnu Orchestra and Buddy Rich...”
He played with Brand X when he could and they had other drummers sub when Phil couldn’t make it. This two-band situation seemed to work for him, especially since Genesis was striking gold worldwide.
It wasn’t until Phil’s marriage broke up and he had time on his hands, that he started composing on his own with just a piano and drum machine. Thus was born his first solo album, “Face Value,” in 1981. It became a hit and Collins became a hit machine quite by accident.
Many successful solo and Genesis albums followed and Phil’s name became the proverbial household word.
He left Genesis officially in 1996 to concentrate on his solo career. However, 2007 saw a reunion with the band for the “Turn It On Again—The Tour” concert series touring throughout Europe and the U. S. and playing the “Live Earth” concert in Wembley Stadium, which was televised around the world. It was on this tour that he dislocated the vertebrae in his neck.
In 2010, Genesis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame; the first progressive-rock band to be so honored.
Phil has never forgotten his roots or his history. Later that year, he released “Going Back,” his homage to 60's Motown music, which he loves and continues to plow it's way up the charts.
On March 4, 2010, Phil announced that, due to his ongoing health problems, he was going to retire and devote himself to raising his two sons.
Comments