Phil Collins, the iconic drummer and vocalist of Genesis, recently shared insights into his health struggles and his decision to retire from drumming in a new documentary, Phil Collins: Drummer First, released by Drumeo. In an October 2022 interview featured in the film, the 73-year-old musician reflected on the physical toll a lifetime of drumming has taken on his body.
“It’s still kind of sinking in a bit…” Collins admitted. “I’ve spent all my life playing drums. To suddenly not be able to do that is a shock.” Having started playing drums at the age of 5, Collins explained that decades behind the kit have significantly impacted his hands and legs.
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Collins emphasized his commitment to quality performance, stating, “If I can’t do what I did as well as I did it, I’d rather relax and not do anything. If I wake up one day and I can hold a pair of drumsticks, then I’ll have a crack at it. But I just feel like I’ve used up my air miles.” This sentiment reflects the musician’s dedication to maintaining his high standards of musicianship.
His son, Nic Collins, who has taken over drumming duties for his father, offered further details on Phil’s health. “Musicians, people in bands in general had this thought that they were invincible,” Nic explained. “I think that’s really what it is with my dad is just this kind of sense of you’re a drummer, you’re invincible, you do what you do. But you don’t know it’s gonna take a toll in the long run.”
Nic highlighted the lasting effects of years of performing and touring, revealing that his father underwent significant neck surgery in 2015 due to the cumulative strain of drumming and poor posture. He also mentioned that Phil suffers from drop-foot, a condition affecting nerve damage in the foot, requiring him to use a cane for mobility.
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Collins officially retired from drumming in March 2022, marking the end of an era for the legendary musician and Genesis. The documentary Phil Collins: Drummer First provides a comprehensive look at Collins’s illustrious career, spanning his early years to his groundbreaking work with Genesis, his successful solo career, and his contributions to projects like Disney’s Tarzan. The film also features his involvement with the jazz-fusion group Brand X, his own big band, and the eventual passing of the drumming torch to his son, Nic. The documentary is currently available for streaming on YouTube.
