Phil Collins Says He Can’t Play Drums Anymore

Vulture ^ | 09/13/21 | Devon Ivie

[Enlightened1]

We interrupt your daily “Invisible Touch” listen to share some upsetting news about Phil Collins, who revealed in a new interview that he’s no longer able to play the drums due to deteriorating health. Speaking with BBC Breakfast alongside his Genesis bandmates, Collins confirmed that he won’t be behind the kit for the band’s upcoming The Last Domino? world tour, and that his son, Nic, will be drumming in his place. (Meanwhile, his daughter, Lily, is famously in Paris.) “I’d love to, but you know, I mean, I can barely hold a stick with this hand. So there are certain physical things that get in the way,” Collins explained about his current state. “I’m kind of physically challenged a bit, which is very frustrating because I’d love to be playing up there with my son.” Collins also expressed skepticism that he’ll ever tour again after The Last Domino? concludes its run in December. “We’re all men of our age, and I think to some extent, I think it probably is putting it to bed,” he said. “I think just generally for me, I don’t know if I want to go out on the road anymore.”

Collins has been plagued with serious health issues over the past few years. In 2016, he revealed that he was living with dislocated vertebrae, nerve damage, and foot fractures, which left him feeling like he was walking “on sticks” and impeded his ability to perform. For The Last Domino? tour, Collins will solely be taking on vocal duties for Genesis’s catalogue of hits

[dfwgator]

This is great for Genesis fans.

Elpidia Giardina an Italian pianist plays a medley of Genesis songs on piano....Really makes you appreciate what a great composer Tony Banks is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFNLc5Q3Lc0

[frogjerk]

That the official video. What do you mean it probably wasn’t even their call?

[dfwgator]

The Record Company usually dictated the videos.

[nickcarraway]

You do realize he didn't make the video? Most musicians, especially back then, had very little to do with the video. Apparently, they saw a caricature the group made of Collins and asked them to do a video. Who knows if he actually ever watched it. So, you are basing your entire perception of him on some video?

In the U.K., many people disdain him as, "Tory scum," but that's probably an exaggeration.

[lee martell]

lol!

[dfwgator]

Phil also drummed on Steve Hackett’s “Voyage of the Acolyte” record.

Ace of Wands
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrMF2IeAve8

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

Funny that Hackett is still going strong. Always liked him, and the band was worse for him leaving.

[BipolarBob]

But can he do the parallel bars?

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

Bruford hated that tour - didn’t like the restrictions of playing another drummer’s parts.

[Paleo Pete]

Mad Man Moon OH YEAH...

Dance on A Volcano, great stuff too. Like I said, not a bad cut on the album. If I remember correctly, Dance on A Volcano was an instrumental.

If you’ve never heard it, look up “The Brazilian” from a later album. My favorite Genesis instrumental.

https://www.last.fm/music/Genesis/_/The+Brazilian

Best played as loud as you can stand it...piss the neighbors off loud... I like headphones...

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

Emerson also had bad carpal tunnel, and sadly committed suicide a few years back

[dfwgator]

I mean, I played Invisible Touch a lot when it first came out, but frankly haven’t been too motivated to listen to it for years, I generally stick with the albums up to Duke.

[dfwgator]

It’s understandable, I guess. I know Bruford retired from playing some years back.

I always imagine how Chester’s interview must have went:

“So, you have any references?”

“I played for Frank Zappa.”

“You’re Hired!”

[KevinB]

Paul McCartney is likely to agree.

Paul needs to hang it up as well. His voice is shot.

[dfwgator]

Paul needs to hang it up as well. His voice is shot.

True, but nobody cares, because everybody is singing along anyway at his shows.

[ChildOfThe60s]

But Keith Richards (77) can still play a mean guitar.

I like the man as must as the next guy. He's quite a character. But I was looking at his hands in an interview and he's got so much arthritis in them, there is no way he's doing any serious guitar work.

[KevinB]

True, but nobody cares, because everybody is singing along anyway at his shows.

Good point. He does need to stop making albums, though. They're just awful.

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

Chester was good. Not Bruford or Collins-level good, but better than most.

I did see the Zappa Band a couple of weeks ago.

[KevinB]

But I was looking at his hands in an interview and he's got so much arthritis in them, there is no way he's doing any serious guitar work.

Agreed. There have been rumors floating around for a few years that there's a player behind or below the stage who plays the Keith parts and that Keith is just a prop at this point.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I like the guy. His Autobiography was quite interesting. I love a 'Rags to Riches' story where the person doesn't turn out to be a jerk. :)

Genesis and Van Halen were the go-to bands of my youth. Having Phil replace Peter Gabriel (also awesome!) was a lot less traumatic than Sammy Hagar replacing my beloved David Lee Roth, LOL! Saw both bands in concert numerous times. Phil used to be very, VERY good at jumping around the stage. Give the guy a break. He's old. I'M old. Few are afforded this luxury!