One of the most well-known artists in the world, Genesis’ drummer and lead singer Phil Collins has won eight Grammy awards. He is one of only three musicians who have sold more than 100 million records both as a solo performer and as a band member, along with Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney.
Collins was born to talented parents who fostered a love of music in him on January 30, 1951, in London, England.
Collins remembers when he was just five years old, his uncle made him a drum kit with tambourines, triangles, cymbals, and toy drums. “The old cliché is, well, at least that will keep him quiet,” he said.
Soon after, he started doing performances at his parents’ boating club.
“The English beat scene was just starting to emerge when I first began performing seriously, with bands like the Shadows and others. It was in the very early 1960s,” according to Collins.
“I can remember buying Please Please Me.” To avoid having to look at what I was playing while playing the drums, I used to pump up the record player’s volume and place my drums in front of a mirror.
When I was fourteen, I then went to a teacher to learn to read drum music. I anticipated having to work in a dance band or the orchestra pit when this rock and roll thing was finished. I then began to read drum music, but I soon realized that playing intuitively was far superior to reading.
In the 1970s, Collin’s life underwent a profound transformation. When he saw an advertisement for a drummer from the band Genesis, he had previously played in a few bands. The choice to get in touch with them was him, and the rest is history. The Beatles recorded five albums with hit songs in Collins’ early years in the group.
After the band’s founder and lead vocalist left, Collins took over as the group’s primary singer. He was a drummer and a vocalist. He acknowledged that he wasn’t comfortable in his new role but claimed he took it on since the band was having trouble finding a singer.
Collins was a member of Genesis as well as having a fruitful solo career. He soon rose to the top of the field thanks to hits like In The Air Tonight, You Can’t Hurry Love, and I Don’t Care Anymore.
After 25 years with Genesis, Collins said of his decision to quit the band and launch a solo career, “I thought it was time to change direction in my musical life.”
It will currently be jazz projects, cinema music, and, of course, my solo career. I hope the Genesis team has a successful future. We remain best friends.
But in 2017, he made the choice to rejoin the group. They started The Last Domino, a global tour, last year, but had to postpone it due to the pandemic.
