Phil Collins

A biography of Phil Collins, the British drummer,singer and actor.
2002, 799 words, 0 source(s).

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Phil Collins, the British drummer/singer/song writer from the British rock group Genesis, has added very much to the music world through his heart grabbing lyrics and original musical sounds. Collins is one of the great music artists of today and his many noted awards proof it. Born in 1951 London, Collins grew up with the sounds of the Beatles. His mother, June Collins, disapproved of his musical interests, and tried to direct his attention toward acting. She was a successful agent for child actors, and had gotten Collins' older brother and sister to bring out their creative talents in the performing arts. Clive Collins, Phil's older brother was a cartoonist for the London tabloid the Sun. The sister, Carole, was a professional ice skater and theatrical agent. Phil's father, in the insurance business, hoped his son would not follow the footsteps of his siblings and take a quiet job in an office somewhere. His mother wanted him to follow his natural talents, which she thought was acting. Phil took many parts on T.V. and film, as well as a part on the London stage in the production of Oliver! because of her. Phil did not care much for acting but instead developed his own interests of the drums. At five he began playing. At ten he owned his own set. At twelve he bought his first Beatles' album, "Please Please Me". After that he immersed himself in Brit rock, and American soul including Motown sounds of the Supremes, the Four Tops, and the Temptations. Collins dropped out of school in 1967 to become a full-time rock drummer, of course with opposition from his mother. For the next few years he played in a series of inconsequential bands until his first victory in 1970 when he auditioned for and won the spot of drummer for the seminal art-rock group, Genesis. Headed by Peter Gabriel it was gaining much popularity among British college students. Collins hid behind the drums until 1975 when Peter Gabriel decided to leave and start up a solo career. The group had been doing well powered with such hit albums as Nursery Cryme (1971) and a few others. Collins began auditions for replacement lead-singers but he became aware that he was better than any of the hoard of eager crowds. Phil had never considered being lead singer though he did well, with some help from his theatrical past. The band pulled out two more albums before they realized their competition in Britain was becoming tougher as the punk bands were becoming more anarchic. Genesis began planning extensive tours in the United States, Europe, and Japan. in 1979 Collins nearly quit the band to save his marriage. His wife was opposed to the music business and left him. Collins would not have been able to stop her if he had left the band because the marriage was rocky and would not have survived anyway. Some years went by as Phil pulled out album after album, including his first solo album. He used the divorce to write bitter songs about an unfaithful lover. Genesis' first gold album, ...And Then There Were Three...came out during that time. In 1984, Collins' "In the Air Tonight" became a hit for the second time when it was prominently used in Miami Vice's debut episode on the NBC network. In 1986, Collins received two Grammy awards for "One More Night". Later in the same year, Genesis' "Invisible Touch" made the Top Ten and Top Five. Last year in 1992, Genesis' "I Can't Dance" stood at number three on the charts for more that 21 weeks. With statistics like these, it is easy to see that Collins and Genesis have been doing very well. But to understand how, you must listen to the music. Collins plays both the drums and keyboards with equal authority, as well as singing his own lyrics with a glossy texture and suspense. Currently, there is discussion of the band breaking up, since the release of their best album yet, We Can't Dance in 1992. The band has flourished with Collins for 23 years now. But recently, though the success, the albums have given way to the newer forces of developing music. Again, Genesis has found it hard to exist with its competition, but it is unlikely they can stay afloat this time. Collins will continue to sing but its probable that he will not be writing as much anymore. Still it is nice to listen to such classics as "Sussudio" (1985), "Another Day in Paradise" (1988) and "In the Air Tonight" (1981). Incidentally, in 1984, Collins remarried to the former Jill Tavelman. Phil Collins should be regarded as one of the great rock musicians of our century. His many songs have become great hits and classics. This is power music.