Phil Collins

Artist Image: Phil Collins
Attribution
Image Credit: Dicknroll (Own work), CC BY-SA 3.0

Biography

Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO (born 30 January 1951), is an English singer, songwriter and musician, who has also worked as a record producer and actor. He is best known as the drummer and lead singer in the rock band Genesis and as a solo artist. Between 1983 and 1990, Collins scored three UK and seven US number-one singles in his solo career. When his work with Genesis, his work with other artists, as well as his solo career is totalled, Collins had more US top 40 singles than any other artist during the 1980s. His most successful singles include "In the Air Tonight", "Against All Odds", "Sussudio" and "Another Day in Paradise". Born and raised in west London, Collins played drums from the age of five and completed drama school training, which secured him various roles as a child actor. He then pursued a music career, joining Genesis in 1970 as their drummer and becoming lead singer in 1975 following the departure of Peter Gabriel. Collins began a solo career in the 1980s, initially inspired by his marital breakdown and love of soul music, releasing a series of successful albums, including Face Value (1981), No Jacket Required (1985) and ...But Seriously (1989). Collins became "one of the most successful pop and adult contemporary singers of the '80s and beyond". He also became known for a distinctive gated reverb drum sound on many of his recordings. After leaving Genesis in 1996, Collins pursued various solo projects before a return in 2006 for the Turn It On Again Tour. In 2011, he retired to focus on his family life, but continued to write songs. He announced his return to the music industry in 2015. Collins' discography includes eight studio albums that have sold 33.5 million certified units in the US and an estimated 150 million worldwide, making him one of the world's best-selling artists. He is one of three recording artists, along with Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson, who have sold over 100 million albums worldwide both as solo artists and separately as principal members of a band. He has won seven Grammy Awards, six Brit Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, an Academy Award, and a Disney Legend Award. In 1999 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010 and the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2012. Despite his commercial success and his status as a respected and influential drummer, music critics are divided in their opinion of his work and he has publicly received both criticism and praise from other prominent music artists.

Details

Item Name Item Details
Year Formed 1968
Number of Albums 27
Record Label Virgin
Website philcollins.co.uk
Wikipedia Phil Collins on Wikipedia
Social Networks

Trivia

What country does the drummeractorsingerproducer live in?

England

...Living in: England While other major artists trudge painfully through a handful of over promoted releases each decade; this drummeractorsingerproducer...
What was the name of the band that lost Steve Hackett and Peter Gabriel?

Genesis

... in all manner of contradictory and unlikely projects. His history with Genesis is well documented from their arthouse beginnings to multiplatinum sta...
What was the name of the jazzfusion band Phil cofounded in 1975?

Brand X

...azz inspired an early sideproject when he cofounded the jazzfusion band Brand X in 1975, an association which lasted seven years and produced several ...
How long did Brand X last?

seven years

...nded the jazzfusion band Brand X in 1975, an association which lasted seven years and produced several albums. In the last few years he has formed his...
Who were the guests on the first tour of the Big Band?

Tony Bennett and Qunicy Jones

...e has formed his own Big Band, with the first tour featuring Tony Bennett and Qunicy Jones and the second with Oleta Adams and Gerald Albright as gues...
When was the live CD A Hot Night In Paris released?

1999

...erald Albright as guests. A live CD A Hot Night In Paris was released in 1999 . His acting CV reveals that he first trod the boards at 14 when he took ...
How many years later did he play Uncle Ernie in The Who's rock opera Tommy?

four

...tion to this Phil The Spiv turned up in a 1985 episode of Miami Vice and four years later he took the part of Uncle Ernie in The Who's rock opera Tomm...
Along with Phil Bailey, John Martyn and Eric Clapton, who has he worked with as a studio producer?

Adam Ant

...ck opera Tommy. As a studio producer, among those he's worked with are Adam Ant , Earth, Wind and Fire's Phil Bailey, John Martyn and Eric Clapton. He ...
How long did it take for him to practice his drum kit?

hours

...it, though a mere toy, delighted him and grabbed his attention. He spent hours practicing it, and as he grew up, he started getting more professional ...
As he grew up, he started getting more into what?

performing arts

...on stage. This inspired him and led to an increased interest in the performing arts , as he grew up. He received a drum kit from his parents on his bir...
At what age did he begin his acting and singing training?

14

...is professional training in acting and singing began at the tender age of 14 in Barbara Speake Stage School. Music was just another hobby for him at t...
At what stage school was he trained?

Barbara Speake Stage School

...aining in acting and singing began at the tender age of 14 in Barbara Speake Stage School . Music was just another hobby for him at that time, and acti...
What was a hobby for he at the time?

Music

...nd singing began at the tender age of 14 in Barbara Speake Stage School. Music was just another hobby for him at that time, and acting was the thing t...
At what age did Collins start playing drums?

three

...ren, to an insurance vendor and a children's talent agent. At the age of three he had taken up drums, and by age 14, he was playing in several school ...
When did Collins quit acting?

18

..., Collins was gaining a reputation as a session drummer and by the age of 18 quit acting all together. In 1968, Collins joined Flaming Youth, a progre...
What band did Collins join in 1968?

Flaming Youth

...d by the age of 18 quit acting all together. In 1968, Collins joined Flaming Youth , a progressive rock band who released one album, Ark 2, which went ...
What was the name of George Harrison's 1970 triple LP?

All Things Must Pass

...g on a few unreleased cuts for George Harrison's 1970 triple LP, All Things Must Pass . Having been dropped by mentorproducer Jonathan King, the man re...
Who was the mentorproducer for Every's Gone to the Moon?

Jonathan King

...iple LP, All Things Must Pass. Having been dropped by mentorproducer Jonathan King , the man responsible for Everyone's Gone to the Moon, after two alb...
How many albums did Genesis have?

two

...Jonathan King, the man responsible for Everyone's Gone to the Moon, after two albums and little success, Genesis was a band in need of a new direction...
What was the name of the guitarist who provided a shot in the arm for Genesis?

Steve Hackett

...t in the arm was needed, which Collins and other newcomer, guitarist Steve Hackett readily provided. Collins's first recordings with Genesis appeared ...
What was a problem with Genesis's instrument line up?

no permanent drummer and 12string guitars

...on. Studio inexperience and an odd instrument line up ( no permanent drummer and 12string guitars ) hindered the band. A shot in the arm was needed, whi...
What was the name of the third Genesis album?

Nursery Cryme

... other newcomer, guitarist Steve Hackett readily provided. Collins's first recordings with Genesis appeared on the group's third album, Nursery Cryme ....
When was Philip David Charles Collins LVO born?

30 January 1951

...il Collins (disambiguation). Philip David Charles Collins LVO (born 30 January 1951 ) is an English drummer, singersongwriter, record producer, and act...
When did Collins begin his solo career?

1981

...d singer of the rock band Genesis and for his solo career which began in 1981 . Between 1982 and 1990, Collins scored three UK and seven US numberone s...
How many U.S. Top Ten hits did Collins release between 1984 and 1990?

13

...face of the band Genesis in 1975. Between 1984 and 1990, Collins released 13 U.S. Top Ten hits, including In the Air Tonight, You Can't Hurry Love and...
What year was Philip David Charles Collins born?

1951

... Early Life Collins was born Philip David Charles Collins on January 30, 1951 , in London, England, to parents Greville Collins, an insurance agent, an...
What was Collins' father's occupation?

insurance agent

...nuary 30, 1951, in London, England, to parents Greville Collins, an insurance agent , and his wife June, a talent manager. One of three children, Colli...
What was Collins' older brother's profession?

cartoonist

...drive. His older brother, Clive, would go on to become a professional cartoonist , while his sister competed as an ice skater. From an early age, Colli...
At what age did Collins begin to love the drums?

5

...erence for the stage and music. His love for the drums began at the age of 5 when he was given a toy drum kit. By the age of 12, Collins had a real se...
What instrument did Collins receive at the age of 5?

toy drum kit

...ic. His love for the drums began at the age of 5 when he was given a toy drum kit . By the age of 12, Collins had a real set of drums and played every ...
By what age had Collins a set of drums in his hands?

12

...ums began at the age of 5 when he was given a toy drum kit. By the age of 12 , Collins had a real set of drums and played every chance he could get. Wh...
What school did Collins leave with his parents' blessing?

Chiswick Grammar School

...on production of Oliver!. To take on the part, Collins left the Chiswick Grammar School with his parents' blessing and enrolled in the Barbara Speake ...
What year does the Collins family move to Sheen?

1952

... 1952 : The Collins family moves to Sheen. 1954: The Collins family moves back to Hounslow. 1956: Lil Phil, aged 5, is presented with his first mini dru...
What club does The Collins family often perform at?

Richmond Yachting Club

... drum kit. The Collins family (with Phil) often performs at the Richmond Yachting Club . Phil also drums as the rhythm group to an organ player. 1958: ...
What year does Phil win first place at a talent show?

1958

...d Yachting Club. Phil also drums as the rhythm group to an organ player. 1958 : Grownsummatmore Phil wins first place at a talent show at a holiday cam...
Who organizes performances and hirings for the Barbara Speake Stage School?

Phils mother

...more Phil wins first place at a talent show at a holiday camp. 1961: Phils mother begins to organize performances and hirings for the Barbara Speake S...
What year is Phil given a new drum kit?

1963

... passes the exams for secondary education and is accepted at Chiswick County Grammar School. 1963 : Phil is given a new drum kit as a birthday present....
In what year did Phil Collins celebrate his 70th birthday?

2021

...He celebrated his 70th birthday in 2021 . The singer was born in Chiswick, Middlesex. Phil Collins scored three UK and seven US numberone singles in hi...
How many records has he sold worldwide?

150 million

... 'Two Hearts' and 'Another Day in Paradise'. He has sold an estimated 150 million records worldwide. They met as 11yearold students in a London drama ...
When did he meet his second wife, American Jill Tavelman?

1980

...nada when she was 18. He met his second wife, American Jill Tavelman, in 1980 . Collins married his third wife, Orianne Cevey, a Swiss national with Me...
What was Collins' third wife's ancestry?

Mexican

...0. Collins married his third wife, Orianne Cevey, a Swiss national with Mexican ancestry, in 1999. They divorced in 2008, with Collins paying 25 milli...
How much did Collins pay for his divorce from Orianne Cevey?

25 million

...Mexican ancestry, in 1999. They divorced in 2008, with Collins paying 25 million , which became the largest settlement in a British celebrity divorce a...
In what year was it reported that Phil was suing Orianne after it was revealed she was married to another man?

2020

...rgest settlement in a British celebrity divorce at the time. However, in 2020 , it was reported that Phil was suing Orianne after it was revealed she w...
In what city was Phil Collins born?

Chiswick

...Phil Collins was born in Chiswick , London, England, to Winifred (Strange), a theatrical agent, Greville Philip Austin Collins, an insurance agent. He ...
In what production of Oliver did Phil Collins play the Artful Dodger?

West End

...nt life as a young actor and model. He played the Artful Dodger in the West End production of Oliver! His interest in music and drumming began at scho...
What stage school band did Collins join?

The Real Thing

...drumming began at school, where he drummed with a stage school band The Real Thing , subsequently joining Freehold and Flaming Youth. Flaming Youth rec...
Who did Collins take over from when he left Genesis?

Peter Gabriel

...s later successfully auditioned for Genesis, taking over vocals from Peter Gabriel when he left the band in 1975. After separating from his first wife...
What was the name of Collins' first solo album?

Face Value

...eparating from his first wife, Collins recorded his first solo album, Face Value . The album was well received and Collins started to become a househol...
What was the name of Collins' third album?

No Jacket Required

...). This instigated a guest appearance on the show playing a game show host. His third LP, No Jacket Required , produced multiple chart hits and awards....
In what year did Miami Vice air In The Air Tonight?

1984

...r the song In the Air Tonight was featured on the US TV show Miami Vice ( 1984 ). This instigated a guest appearance on the show playing a game show hos...
On what TV show did Collins play a game show host?

Miami Vice

...name after the song In the Air Tonight was featured on the US TV show Miami Vice (1984). This instigated a guest appearance on the show playing a game...
When did Collins have a string of 13 straight hits?

Between 1984 and 1990

... hit in his native U.K. (the song was a Top 20 hit in the U.S.). Between 1984 and 1990 , Collins had a string of 13 straight U.S. Top Ten hits. Long be...
What role did Collins play in the London production of Oliver?

Artful Dodger

...ppened, however, Collins was a child actorsinger who appeared as the Artful Dodger in the London production of Oliver! (He also has a cameo in A Hard ...
Where did Collins appear in A Hard Day's Night?

cameo

... as the Artful Dodger in the London production of Oliver! (He also has a cameo in A Hard Day's Night, among other films.) He got his first break in mu...
When did Peter Gabriel leave the Genesis band?

1974

... the U.S. with elaborate concept albums, before Gabriel abruptly left in 1974 . Genesis auditioned 400 singers without success, then decided to let Col...
How many singers did Genesis audition?

400

... concept albums, before Gabriel abruptly left in 1974. Genesis auditioned 400 singers without success, then decided to let Collins have a go. And Then...
Who was even more successful?

Duke

...400 singers without success, then decided to let Collins have a go. And Then There Were Three... went gold in 1978, and Duke was even more successful....