10 Phil Collins Facts That Most Fans Don’t Talk About
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 30: Phil Collins performs on stage at the Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time Festival in Hyde Park on June 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
In the 80s where we think about pop stars like Michael Jackson and Madonna, one man stood with the rest of them: Phil Collins, an unlikely rock hero. For over 50 years, he has established himself as both the drummer of the prog-rock group Genesis, and a soft-rock artist. Here are the 10 facts of Phil Collins’ life that are often overlooked by many. (Valium)
He’s had a fair share of health struggles.
Since he’s in his 70s, it’s harder for Collins to move well due to his several illnesses. From difficulty hearing in his one ear to the dislocation of his neck, Collins has endured it all.
“Another Day in Paradise” is inspired by homelessness.
Collins was on his way to his hotel when he found homeless people seeking shelter in boxes. “It struck me that these people were living like this within a stone’s throw of the Capitol building,” he said. After he wrote the hit, Collins assisted in charities helping people find homes and comfort.
He wanted to join The Who.
When The Who’s Keith Moon sadly passed away, Collins desperately wanted to fill in the late drummer’s role that he’d even sacrifice leaving Genesis for the gig. However, as much as Pete Townshend wanted him, The Who had already settled in with Kenney Jones, a frequent Who collaborator.
He juggled his work as a solo artist and as a member of Genesis.
The 80s was such a productive and busy time for Collins, who went and have an incredible career as a band member and a soloist. In the span of 14 years, 18 of his singles have reached top 40 – 6 of them topped the charts.
He became a part of the 2 simultaneous Live Aid event.
Live Aid was a conglomeration of fantastic artists of the UK and the US. Collins were among the few people who have simultaneously joined the two giant events of the same day: the first was his solo work in the UK Live Aid, and a speedy flight towards the US, to perform a disastrous show with Led Zeppelin.
Swimming gave him an advantage when he auditioned as a drummer.
When John Mayhew left Genesis, the band held auditions for his replacement. Collins came several hours early, so lead singer Peter Gabriel politely suggested that maybe he could go for a swim. This gave Collins the advantage: the auditioning drummers were asked to play a previously unheard piece right at the moment. “I could hear anything that was going down. I knew the tunes before I actually auditioned,” Collins explained. “So, when I came up to play, of course I walked straight into it. I knew all the things, so I got the job!”
He was a child actor.
Long before his venture in music, Collins has been a child actor in the 60s. He was said to be one of the concertgoers in The Beatles’ first movie “A Hard Day’s Night” but the scene was unfortunately cut. He has starred in theatrical adaptations of several musicals, and also landed a role in 1967 show Calamity the Cow, with the role as a farm kid.
He was hesitant in filling the role as the lead singer of Genesis.
Genesis truly lucked out on replacing Peter Gabriel with Phil Collins, but the drummer didn’t like the pressure of Gabriel’s theatrical performances on stage. Luckily, the band adapted to the new setting, and would go on to become incredibly successful in the later years.
He’s a retired musician now.
2020 was the last hurrah of Collins’ career, with his multiple illnesses depriving him from performing. But this doesn’t affect his love of performing in front of thousands of people.
He found his love for movies yet again
We’ve mentioned that Phil Collins started first in the movie industry; by the 90s, he revisits that old flame in the 90s, taking roles in Miami Vice and Hook. He’s also starred in movies as well.
Technology gave an impact to Collins’ previous marriages.
Collins has been married thrice – all of them got ended in divorce. What’s coincidental was from the last 2 marriages, technologies played a role in ending it. The first one was when Phil faxed an angry message to his 2nd wife, Jill Travelman. The 2nd time was when his 3rd wife, Orianne Cevey, texted Phil that she’s leaving him for a man he’d met.
