[Paleo Pete]

Sad. I’ve been a Collins fan since the early days of Genesis, he was a great drummer in the early days too.
I think either Nursery Cryme or Lamb Lies Down on Broadway would have to take a slot in my 10 all tiime favorite albums. Maybe both. And Trick of the Tail is very close too. Not a bad cut on that one, first time he did lead vocals. Hard to find better songs than Squonk and Ripples, Entangled...Title cut is excellent too.

There was a story behind that. Phil did backup/harmony vocals while Peter Gabriel was lead vocalist, and he made a couple of demo tapes the band could use to show auditioning singers what they wanted. The rest of the band liked it, told Phil he should keep doing it, so he ended up their “new” singer.

But we all get old and playing onstage does take its toll. I’m 67, have a serious case of COPD after 45 years of smoking (finally quit when I got sick) then a case of pneumonia that damn near killed me 3 years ago, have to play on a stool now and cut back on vocals, but I’m still one of the better local guitar players. I’ve seen a couple of younger kids who seem to have a good future, but most are usually too drunk by the middle of the 2nd set to be too impressive. One kid in a music store was playing some really impressive licks on a telecaster, stuff I can’t touch, he was about 25 and I’d love to see what he can do in another 10 years. Never saw him again though.

I know what Phil’s dealing with, I carry my Blues Jr inside, stop and catch my breath. Carry a guitar in, catch my breath. Band practice yesterday just playing a couple of energetic songs in a chair I had to stop for a couple of minutes and get it back together...I remember seeing roadies carry Johnny Winter onstage in a chair and put his guitar in his lap. I hope I don’t get that bad...but he still played the ever lovin’ crap outta the thing...

I haven’t tried, but I probably couldn’t play drums any more, definitley can’t play sax or flute, just put my sax and flute up for sale, no takers. Then there’s 2 xylophones, 2 keyboards, a couple of old pedals sitting around...yeah I have GAS...gear acquisition syndrome...and I got it bad...5 amps, 5 or 6 guitars, half dozen pedals, saxes, flute, clarinet, xylophones, keyboards, I’m surprised I don’t have a drum set and 3 or 4 basses...and sold 3 or 4 guitars a few years ago, I brought 7 electrics onstage and an acoustic 20 years ago...

[dfwgator]

And Trick of the Tail is very close too. Not a bad cut on that one, first time he did lead vocals. Hard to find better songs than Squonk and Ripples, Entangled...Title cut is excellent too.

A Trick of the Tail is my all-time favorite album, period! I go back and forth as to whether Ripples or Mad Man Moon is my favorite track on it, but every song on it, is fantastic. If you follow Rick Beato, he does a great breakdown of "Dance on a Volcano".

[corkoman]

Phil jammed like a maniac in this jazz fusion Brand X lineup.

[Mr Fuji]

Aw man, hang in there brother/sister! I’m glad you kicked the habit and sad to hear there’s lingering damage with COPD.

I’m about 20 years younger than you and I wonder if I’m going to be in a similar situation 20 years from now. I used to be a half-way decent rhythm guitarist, love playing bass and had five years of classical piano training. I go back and forth on instruments depending on my interests. I’ve recently taking up drumming. It’s ironic starting it mid-life, since that will most likely be the first instrument that will have to go. The thought of being a gigging drummer sounds daunting having to haul them to gigs, etc.

I gave up my monster bass amps years ago and I’m thankful for modern designs. I hated lugging my Eden Metro 2x10 years that I think weighed close to 100 pounds. Now my 2x10 Fender Rumble is 39 pounds. My primary bass guitars are 7.8 and 8.6 pounds. Never liked heavy equipment even when I was half my age.

I haven’t gigged in years but I’m thinking about getting back into the game if this covid garbage ever dies down.

I still want to buy more and more but I try to control it. I actually try to convince myself to stop playing at times. HAHA.

Hang in there!

[Texaspeptoman]

Thanks for taking the time to write all of this. I heard you in the words. Blessings

[1Old Pro]

...and sold 3 or 4 guitars a few years ago

What I would give for my old 3/4 Gibson Melody maker circa 60's and even my 70's Fender Jaguar.