Life for Philip David Charles Collins began at 00.05 on the 30th of Jan. 1951 in Chiswick, London.Growing up he has done almost anything from West End plays to modelling...even teaching others the art of dancing!
At the age of about 5 he gets interested in playing the drums, and when he's about 7 his uncle builds him a drum kit, so that he can play along to the music on television.
He's played in so many bands while he grew up that he has tried almost any kind of music, from Rock to Blues.
In the late 60's he played in the band Flaming Youth, they made one album before the band broke up. So in 1970 he and his friend from Flaming Youth, Ronnie Caryl read in Melody Maker that a band called Genesis was looking for a new drummer and guitarist. They both went to an audition at Peter Gabriel's house, here Phil simply blew their minds.
And a couple if weeks later he joined Genesis, and his first album with Genesis was Nursery Cryme.
But Phil gave more than just his drumming to the band, he proved to be a very funny man and that he has the talent of keeping the audience right where he wants them.
On the album Nursery Cryme Phil sings a song written by Steve Hackett and himself.
The second album he did with Genesis was Tresspass.
The years 70 to 74 he's been in charge of the drums and backing vocals, and on the album Selling England By The Pound he did his second real lead singing in the song More Fool Me.
And when Peter Gabriel left the band in 1974 he took over the role of lead singer, but not till Genesis after had tried about 200 singers, almost gave up and gave Phil a chance. The first album with Phil behind the microphone was A Trick Of The Tale from 1976.
Going on tour Genesis had to find a drummer to fill in for Phil Collins. They chose Bill Bruford, a person whom Phil had admired when he was younger.
Also in 1974, Phil joined a fusion band called Brand X. He made four albums with this group, two notable songs from this group on which Phil is the singer are Don't Make Waves and Soho.When Steve Hackett left the band in 1977, the band was reduced to a trio, with only Tony Banks, Michael Rutherford and Phil left. They released the album ...and then there were three...in 1978. The title was a way of telling everybody that they would not give up.
This time when they went on tour they had to find both a drummer, but now also a guitarist/bass player, the new elements in Genesis was now Chester Thompson on drums and Daryl Steurmer on guitar / bass.
In 1981 after his 2nd divorce Phil released his first solo album Face Value, which contains the very popular In The Air Tonight and I Missed Again. Eric Clapton also played on this album although it is not very notable. On the album is also a cover version of the old Beatles single Tomorrow Never Knows.
In the early 80’s he participated in various charity concerts like The Prince’s Trust concerts and The Secret Police Band’s concerts.
In 1982 he released his 2nd solo album Hello, I Must Be Going. Two very big hits from this album are I Don’t Care Anymore and the Supremes cover You Can’t Hurry Love.In 1983 he wrote an Oscar nominated song for the movie Against All Odds. Although he did not sing it himself at the Oscars.
In the 80’s he also play in the very popular quartet with Eric Clapton, Nathan East and Greg Phillinganes.
Together they made a couple of albums, like the 1986 Eric Clapton album August.
The 3rd album No Jacket Required came out in 1985, again two hits came Sussudio and One More Night. The album featured two guest stars Sting and Peter Gabriel.
In 1988 Phil made his first appearance in a leading role in a motion picture, the movie Buster.
At the beginning he didn’t want to make any music for the film, but he ended up making three songs for the album Big Noise, Two Hearts and A Groovy Kind Of Love.
In the movie he plays the role of Ronald “Buster” Edwards, one of the men behind one of Britain’s greatest train robberies.
In 1989 he released the very popular album ...But Seriously. And again two big hits came, the song he wrote with Eric Clapton I Wish It Would Rain Down and Another Day In Paradise.
1990 offered a live album, Serious Hits Live. This is the only live album he’s made as a solo artist and it features almost all the hits from 1981 to 1990.
In 1992 he made two movies: in the Robin Williams movie Hook he played the role of Inspector Good. And the almost unknown film Frauds, here he plays the role of Roland Copping a very wicked insurance agent.
A big break followed until 1996 where we again heard from the most busy musician in the world, this was the release of his first album after he had left Genesis.
Dance Into The Light is also the first album he’d made without any kind of drum machines. The story goes that he’d broken his wrist very badly and he was told by his doctor that maybe he could not play anymore. So when he could play again he was so happy that he play all the drums himself.
(quote taken from an interview from SHOWBIZZ)
The album DITL, contains two special songs: the Bob Dylan cover The Times They Are A-Changin’ and the song Lorenzo, on which the lyrics are written by Michaela Odone, mother to the boy about whom the movie Lorenzo’s Oil was made.Two very big hits from the album are Dance Into The Light and Wear My Hat.
Phil finally won an Oscar, something that should have happened a long time ago. Good going!!!!
Rumors say that Phil is planning a tour some time this year, but nothing has been confirmed so far!
some facts about Phil Collins:
Full name - Philip David Charles Collins
Date of birth - 30th of Jan. 1951
Height: about 5’6” / about 176 cm. (short?)
Hair: OK, his hairline is a bit in the back!
Occupation: Drummer, singer, producer, actor, songwriter and quite a funny guy!
And YES he’s left handed!!!
The band:
Phil Collins: drums, percussion, vocal, keys
Nathan East: bass, vocals
Daryl Steurmer: guitar
Ricky Lawson: drums
Amy Keys: vocals
Arnold McCuller: vocals
Brad Cole: keys
Ronnie Caryl: guitar
Luis Conte: percussion
The Vine St. Horns
Harry Kim: trumpet
Daniel Fornero: trumpet
Arturo Velasco: trombone
Andrew Woolfolk: saxophones
Take Me Home
