Career Phil Collins

1 career

1.1 1963–1970: acting roles , flaming youth
1.2 1970–1978: joining genesis
1.3 1978–1983: solo debut face value , hello, must going!
1.4 1984–1996: no jacket required, ...but seriously, , both sides
1.5 1996–2006: leaving genesis, dance light, big band , disney work, , testify
1.6 2006–2015: genesis reunion, going back, , retirement
1.7 2015–present: out of retirement , touring

career
1963–1970: acting roles , flaming youth

collins began career child actor while @ barbara speake stage school , won first major role artful dodger in london stage production of oliver!, musical adaptation of charles dickens novel oliver twist. in beatles film hard day s night (1964) among screaming teenagers during television concert sequence. followed role in calamity cow (1967), produced children s film foundation, , chitty chitty bang bang (1968) 1 of children storm castle, scene cut. collins auditioned role of romeo in romeo , juliet (1968) role went leonard whiting.

despite beginnings of acting career, collins gravitated towards music. first record deal came drummer hickory guitarists ronnie caryl , gordon smith , keyboardist brian chatton. after changing name flaming youth recorded album, ark 2, released in october 1969 on uni records, premiered performance @ london planetarium. concept album inspired media attention surrounding 1969 moon landing, ark 2 featured each member sharing lead vocals. though commercial failure, received positive reviews; melody maker named pop album of month , describing adult music beautifully played nice tight harmonies . after year of touring, group disbanded in 1970. collins went on play percussion on art of dying beatles guitarist george harrison album things must pass. harrison acknowledged collins s contribution in remastered edition released in 2000.

1970–1978: joining genesis

in mid-1970, rock band genesis advertised drummer sensitive acoustic music , 12-string acoustic guitarist following departures of drummer john mayhew , guitarist anthony phillips. collins recognised charisma records owner tony stratton-smith s name in advert; , caryl decided audition roles. audition took place @ home of parents of singer peter gabriel in chobham, surrey. arrived early, collins took swim in pool , memorised pieces before audition. recalled: put on trespass , , initial impression of soft , round music, not edgy, vocal harmonies, , came away thinking crosby, stills , nash. in august 1970, collins became genesis s new drummer. caryl s audition unsuccessful; bassist/guitarist mike rutherford thought not fit group (they selected steve hackett in january 1971 new lead guitarist following stint mick barnard).

from 1970 1975, collins played drums, percussion, , sang backing vocals on genesis albums , live shows. first album recorded band, nursery cryme, recorded , released in 1971. absent friends , acoustic track written collins , hackett, first genesis song collins on lead vocals. sang more fool me on 1973 album selling england pound. in 1974, during recording of lamb lies down on broadway, collins played drums on brian eno s second album taking tiger mountain after eno had contributed electronic effects known enossification on in cage , grand parade of lifeless packaging .

in august 1975, following lamb lies down on broadway tour, gabriel left genesis. band placed advert replacement in melody maker , received around 400 replies. after lengthy auditioning process, during collins sang backup vocals applicants, collins became band s lead vocalist during recording of genesis s album trick of tail. trick of tail commercial , critical success, reaching number 3 in uk charts , 31 in u.s; rolling stone wrote genesis had managed turn possible catastrophe of gabriel s departure first broad-based american success. album s 1976 tour, collins accepted offer former yes , king crimson drummer bill bruford play drums while collins sang vocals. collins played percussion on album johnny fox thin lizzy.

wind & wuthering last album recorded hackett before 1977 departure. bruford replaced chester thompson, has since been mainstay of genesis live lineup, collins s solo backing band. in 1977, collins, banks, , rutherford decided continue genesis trio. decade closed, genesis began shift progressive rock roots more radio-friendly pop-rock sound. 1978 album ...and there three... featured first uk top 10 , u.s. top 40 single, follow follow me .

in 1975 collins played drums, vibraphone, percussion , sang on hackett s first solo album, voyage of acolyte; performed on eno s albums green world, before , after science, , music films; , replaced drummer phil spinelli of jazz fusion group brand x before recording 1976 debut album, unorthodox behaviour. time brand x gave collins first opportunity use drum machine , home 8-track tape machine. sang on phillips s solo album, geese , ghost, , second brand x album, moroccan roll.

1978–1983: solo debut face value , hello, must going!

in december 1978, genesis went on hiatus while collins went vancouver, canada, focus on family; marriage had become strained after extensive touring. having failed save relationship, collins returned uk in april 1979, time banks , rutherford recording solo albums. time spare before recording new genesis album, collins played on brand x album product , accompanying tour, played on john martyn s album grace , danger, , started writing first solo album, face value, @ home in shalford, surrey. after banks , rutherford rejoined collins, work began on genesis s album duke, released in 1980.

face value released in february 1981. features rework of behind lines duke more funk , dance-oriented style. collins sang , performed keyboards , drums. cited divorce main influence on album s lyrics , themes, , said: had wife, 2 children, 2 dogs, , next day didn t have anything. lot of these songs written because going through these emotional changes. collins produced album in collaboration hugh padgham, whom had worked on peter gabriel s self-titled 1980 album.

face value international success, reaching number 1 in 7 countries worldwide , number 7 in u.s, went on sell 5 million copies. in air tonight , album s lead single, became hit , reached number 2 in uk charts. song known gated reverb effect used on collins s drums, technique developed padgham when worked engineer on gabriel s song intruder , collins played drums on. following invitation record producer martin lewis, collins made debut live performance solo artist @ amnesty international benefit show secret policeman s other ball @ theatre royal, drury lane in london, in september 1981, performing in air tonight , roof leaking accompanied troy street united. collins worked again john martyn in year, producing album glorious fool.

collins performing in 1981.

in september 1981, genesis released abacab. followed 1981 supporting tour , two-month tour in 1982 promoting genesis live album 3 sides live. in 1982, collins produced , played on s going on, third solo album anni-frid lyngstad of abba, , performed of drum parts on pictures @ eleven, first solo album led zeppelin singer robert plant. in october 1982, collins took part in one-off genesis reunion concert 6 of best, marked return gabriel on lead vocals , hackett on guitar.

collins s second solo album, hello, must going!, released in november 1982. marital problems continued provide inspiration songs, including don t care anymore , know, care . album reached number 2 in uk , number 8 in u.s, sold 3 million copies. second single, cover of can t hurry love supremes, became collins s first uk number 1 single , went number 10 in u.s. collins supported album hello, must going! tour of europe , north america november 1982 february 1983. following tour, collins played drums on plant s second solo album, principle of moments, , produced , played on 2 tracks adam ant, puss n boots , strip . in may 1983, collins, banks , rutherford recorded self-titled genesis album; tour ended in february 1984.

1984–1996: no jacket required, ...but seriously, , both sides

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.

1996–2006: leaving genesis, dance light, big band , disney work, , testify

collins left genesis in march 1996 focus on solo career. formed phil collins big band himself on drums. band performed jazz renditions of songs genesis , solo career. sixth solo album, dance light, released in october 1996. album received negatively music press , sold less previous albums. entertainment weekly reviewed saying phil collins must know grew weary of phil collins . singles album included title track, reached no. 9 in uk, , beatles-inspired s in eyes . album achieved gold certification in us. on 15 september 1997, collins appeared @ music montserrat concert @ royal albert hall in london.

collins performing @ umbria jazz festival (perugia, italy, 1996)

the phil collins big band completed world tour in 1998 included performance @ montreux jazz festival. in 1999 released cd hot night in paris including big band versions of invisible touch , sussudio , , los endos suite trick of tail.

his first compilation album ...hits released in 1998 , sold well, returning collins multi-platinum status in us. album s 1 new track, cover of cyndi lauper hit true colors , produced kenneth babyface edmonds. , received considerable airplay on u.s. adult contemporary stations while peaking @ no. 2.

in 1999, collins saw small renaissance career. reunited genesis re-record carpet crawlers compilation album turn on again: hits.the album modest success, reaching number 4 on uk album charts , 65 on billboard 200. later same year, collins performed soundtrack animated adventure film tarzan (1999) walt disney company. film s lead song, ll in heart , spent 19 weeks @ no. 1 on billboard adult contemporary chart—the longest time ever point. collins sang german, italian, spanish , french versions of tarzan soundtrack respective film versions. song won collins academy award , golden globe award both best original song, , performed @ year s ceremony , disney-themed super bowl halftime show. collins awarded star on hollywood walk of fame, on 16 june 1999.

in 2000, collins became partially deaf in 1 ear due viral infection. in june 2002, accepted invitation drum house band @ party @ palace concert celebrated queen elizabeth ii s golden jubilee.

on 11 november 2002, collins released seventh solo album, testify. metacritic s roundup of album reviews found record worst-reviewed album @ time of release, though has since been surpassed 3 more recent releases. album s single can t stop loving (a leo sayer cover) number-one adult contemporary hit. testify sold 140,000 copies in u.s. year s end, making worst selling album in u.s.

disney hired collins , tina turner perform on soundtrack 2003 animated feature brother bear, included song through eyes . june 2004 november 2005, collins performed first final farewell tour, reference multiple farewell tours of other popular artists. in 2006, worked disney on musical production of tarzan.

2006–2015: genesis reunion, going back, , retirement

collins performing genesis @ wachovia center, philadelphia, pennsylvania, u.s., 2007

collins reunited banks , rutherford , announced turn on again: tour on 7 november 2006, 40 years after band first formed. tour took place during summer 2007, , played in twelve countries across europe, followed second leg in north america. during tour genesis performed @ live earth concert @ wembley stadium, london. in 2007 honoured @ second annual vh1 rock honors, performing turn on again , no son of mine , los endos @ ceremony in las vegas.

in october 2009, reported collins record motown covers album. told german newspaper, want songs sound originals , , album feature 30 songs. in january 2010, chester thompson said album had been completed , released time soon. revealed collins managed play drums on album despite spinal operation.

the resulting album, going back, released on 13 september 2010. entered uk charts @ no. 4, rising no. 1 following week. in summer 2010, collins played 6 concerts music going back. these included special programme, phil collins: 1 night only, aired on itv1 on 18 september 2010. collins promoted going first , appearance on bbc s music series later... jools holland, broadcast on 17 september 2010.

collins star on hollywood walk of fame

in march 2010, collins inducted rock , roll hall of fame member of genesis @ ceremony in new york city. of january 2011, collins has spent 1,730 weeks in german music charts—766 weeks of them genesis albums , singles , 964 weeks solo releases.

on 4 march 2011, citing health problems , other concerns, collins announced taking time off career, prompting widespread reports of retirement. on 7 march uk representative told press, not, has no intention of, retiring. however, later day, collins posted message fans on own website, confirming intention retire focus on family life.

in july 2012, collins s greatest hits collection ...hits re-entered u.s. charts, reaching no. 6 on billboard 200.

in november 2013, collins told german media considering return music , speculated mean further live shows genesis, stating: possible. tour in australia , south america. haven t been there yet. speaking reporters in miami, florida in december 2013 @ event promoting charity work, collins indicated writing music once again , might tour again.

on 24 january 2014, collins announced in interview inside south florida writing new compositions fellow english singer adele. collins said had no idea adele when learned wanted collaborate him. said wasn t aware [of her]. live in cave. collins agreed join in studio after hearing voice. said, [she] achieved incredible amount. love voice. love of stuff s done, too. however, in september 2014, collins revealed collaboration had ended , said had been bit of non-starter .

in may 2014, collins gave live performance of in air tonight , land of confusion young student musicians @ miami country day school in miami, florida. collins asked perform there sons, students @ school. in august 2014, collins reported have accepted invitation perform in december @ benefit concert in miami in aid of little dreams foundation charity. missed concert due illness.

2015–present: out of retirement , touring

in may 2015 collins signed deal warner music group remaster 8 solo albums unreleased material. in october, announced no longer officially retired , planning tour , write new album. mid-2016, 8 of studio albums remastered , reissued deluxe editions bonus disc demos , live versions of of songs. collins redid artwork on albums, except recent, going back, featured new cover. autobiography, not dead yet, released on 25 october 2016. @ press conference held @ royal albert hall in london on 17 october 2016, collins announced not dead yet tour, european tour (named after autobiography) due occur in june 2017 5 concerts @ royal albert hall in london, , 5 each @ lanxess arena in cologne , @ accorhotels arena in paris. after tickets 5 royal albert hall shows sold out in 15 seconds. collins announced biggest-ever solo show in hyde park, london on 30 june. later on, 2 other shows in june 2017 in liverpool , dublin added tour while 2 shows (out of 5 shows) @ royal albert hall in june 2017 postponed , rescheduled in late november 2017.