1984–1996: No Jacket Required, ...But Seriously, and Both Sides Phil Collins

in 1984, collins released against odds , main theme 1984 film of same title. song produced arif mardin, , 1 of few songs released collins did not produce himself. single, more pop-oriented , commercially accessible collins s previous work, became first solo single top billboard hot 100 , earnt him first grammy award best pop vocal performance, male. collins had arranged tour accommodate possibility of appearing on telecast in event song nominated oscar. believed producers of year s academy awards show not aware of prominence musical performer. note collins s label telecast co-producer larry gelbart explaining lack of invitation stated: thank note regarding phil cooper [sic]. m afraid spots have been filled. collins instead watched actress , dancer ann reinking perform song. reinking s performance described 1 critic absurdly inept rendition of song. los angeles times said: reinking did incredible job of totally destroying beautiful song. best can said performance stage set nice. collins introduce @ subsequent concerts saying: m sorry miss ann reinking couldn t here tonight; guess have sing own song.

1984 saw collins contribute production on chinese wall, third solo album earth, wind & fire vocalist philip bailey, included duet 2 musicians, easy lover . song went no. 1 in uk. collins produced , played drums on several tracks on behind sun eric clapton. in november 1984 collins joined band aid, charity supergroup made of biggest british , irish musicians of era, , played drums on know s christmas? recorded @ sarm west studios in notting hill, london.

collins released successful album, diamond-certified no jacket required, in february 1985. reached no. 1 in both uk , u.s. contained u.s. number-one hits 1 more night , sussudio top ten hits don t lose number , take me home . contains lesser known said , , know , know . album featured contributions police s vocalist, sting, ex-bandmate peter gabriel, , helen terry backing vocalists. recorded successful song separate lives , duet marilyn martin film white nights (1985), , u.s. #1, movie white nights. collins had 3 u.s. number-one songs in 1985, artist year. no jacket required won 3 grammy awards including album of year.

no jacket required criticised being commercial , despite favourable reviews many music critics. positive review david fricke of rolling stone ended, after years on art-rock fringe, collins has established himself firmly in middle of road. perhaps should consider testing himself , new fans s expectations next time around. sussudio attracted negative attention sounding similar prince s 1999 , charge collins did not deny, , hook line has been named disliked element of career. in 1986, no jacket required earned collins first 2 of 6 brit awards best british male , best british album.

in july 1985, collins took part in live aid concert charity event, continuation of fundraising effort started band aid. collins had distinction of being performer appear @ london concert @ wembley stadium , u.s. concert @ jfk stadium in philadelphia on same day. after performed against odds , in air tonight , sang alongside sting, collins travelled philadelphia via concorde perform solo material, play drums clapton, , drum plant , jimmy page led zeppelin reunion. latter performance poorly received , later disowned band; page claimed collins had not learned parts set. collins responded band weren t , felt uncomfortable dribbling page, , continued set rather leave stage avoid negative attention.

the music press noted collins s astronomical success solo artist had made him more popular genesis. before release of no jacket required, collins insisted not leave band. next 1 leave band finish it, collins told rolling stone magazine in may 1985. feel happier re doing now, because feel s closer me. won t one. collins added, poor old genesis in way sometimes. still won t leave group, imagine end mutual consent.

in october 1985, collins reunited banks , rutherford record next genesis album, invisible touch. title track released single , reached no. 1 in us, genesis song so. group received grammy award (their one) , nomination mtv video music award video of year in 1987 single land of confusion featured puppet caricatures created british satirical team spitting image. video directed jim yukich , john lloyd. reviews of invisible touch mixed , many comparisons made collins s solo work, rolling stone s j. d. considine praised album s commercial appeal, stating, every tune pruned each flourish delivers not instrumental epiphany solid hook .

march 1986 saw release of no 1 blame , hit single howard jones included collins on drums, backing vocals, , co-production alongside padgham. collins 1 of drummers, backing vocalists, , producers on eric clapton s 1987 album august.

collins s first film role since embarking on music career came in 1988 british romantic comedy drama-crime film buster. starred buster edwards, criminal convicted role in great train robbery. reviews film mixed , controversy ensued on subject matter; prince charles , princess diana declined invitation film s première after accused of glorifying crime. however, collins s performance opposite julie walters received reviews , contributed 4 songs film s soundtrack. slow ballad rendition of groovy kind of love , mindbenders, became single reach no. 1 in uk , u.s. film spawned hit single 2 hearts , co-wrote lamont dozier; 2 artists won golden globe best original song , receive oscar nomination in same category. big noise , loco in acapulco collins , dozier, vocals latter performed 4 tops. film critic roger ebert said role of buster played surprising effectiveness collins, although film s soundtrack proved more successful film.

in 1989, collins worked on fourth studio album ...but seriously, , appeared on tour 1989, performing role of young tommy s wicked uncle ernie in reprisal of rock opera tommy (a part played late drummer, keith moon). in november, collins released ...but seriously, became huge success, featuring lead single anti-homelessness anthem day in paradise , david crosby singing backing vocals. day in paradise reached no. 1 on billboard charts @ end of 1989, won collins best british single @ brit awards in 1990, , grammy award record of year in 1991; 1 of germany s successful singles of time. became final u.s. number-one single of 1980s. despite success, song heavily criticised. became linked allegations of hypocrisy made against collins. responding criticism of song, collins stated: when drive down street, see same things else sees. s misconception if have lot of money re somehow out of touch reality.

...but became first number-one u.s. album of 1990s , best-selling album of 1990 in uk. other songs included happened on way heaven (#4 u.s., #15 uk), remember? (not released in uk, #4 in u.s.), , wish rain down (the latter featuring eric clapton on guitar; #3 u.s., #7 uk). songs apartheid , homelessness demonstrated collins s turn political themes. live album, serious hits... live!, followed, reached top ten around world. in september 1990 collins performed sussudio @ 1990 mtv video music awards in los angeles. collins played drums on 1989 tears fears hit single, woman in chains .

after hiatus of 5 years, genesis reconvened 1991 album release can t dance, collins s last studio album group date. features singles jesus knows me , can t dance , no son of mine , , hold on heart . collins performed on 1992 tour. @ 1993 american music awards, genesis won award favorite pop/rock band, duo, or group.

collins co-wrote, sang , played on hero on thousand roads david crosby. collins s record sales began drop 1993 release of both sides, largely experimental album that, according collins, included songs becoming personal, private, didn t want else s input . featuring less polished sound , fewer up-tempo songs previous albums, both sides significant departure. collins used no backing musicians , performed vocal , instrumental parts @ home studio, using rough vocal takes final product. album not received radio. 2 biggest hits both sides of story , everyday . in 1995, collins turned down chance contribute tower of song, album of covers of leonard cohen songs, due touring commitments.