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Phil Collins

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Phil Collins is an English musician, singer, and actor.

Phil Collins 1981
Phil Collins 1981

He is recognized for his immense success as both a solo artist and a member of the rock band Genesis. His career spans several decades of musical evolution. He has achieved massive commercial success across the globe. Collins is one of the most successful pop and adult contemporary singers of the 1980s and beyond. His work has influenced many others in the music industry.

Collins's musical foundation began in West London during his childhood. He was born in 1951 and received a toy drum kit at age five.

Gretsch drums
Gretsch drums

To practice, he played along to music on the radio and television. His uncles even built a makeshift drum set using a suitcase with triangles and tambourines. He later studied drum rudiments, which are basic patterns used in drumming, under Lloyd Ryan and Frank King. Interestingly, Collins never learned to read or write standard musical notation. Instead, he developed his own personal system to communicate music. He often relied on his ability to hum a melody to play it.

Before finding fame in music, Collins was a professional child actor.

Barbara-speake-school-close-up
Barbara-speake-school-close-up

He attended the Barbara Speake stage school to train for performing. His early roles included being an extra in the Beatles' film, A Hard Day's Night. He also famously played the Artful Dodger in the West End production of the musical Oliver!. Eventually, he decided to pivot from acting to a full-time music career. This transition led him to join the band Genesis in 1970 as their drummer. He later became the lead singer of Genesis in 1975 after Peter Gabriel departed.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Collins navigated several different musical roles. He played drums for the jazz rock band Brand X between Genesis projects. In the 1980s, he launched a massive solo career inspired by soul music.

Phil Collins 1980s (cropped)
Phil Collins 1980s (cropped)

He released several influential albums, including Face Value and No Jacket Required. He became famous for a distinctive drum sound known as gated reverb. This technique creates a specific, powerful percussion effect in recordings. His solo work produced many hits, such as "In the Air Tonight" and "Sussudio." He also wrote music for the Disney film Tarzan, earning an Academy Award for "You'll Be in My Heart."

Collins's impact on the music industry is reflected in significant numbers.

His studio albums have sold 33.5 million certified units in the United States alone. Globally, his estimated record sales reach approximately 150 million. He belongs to an elite group of recording artists. Along with Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney, he is one of only three artists to sell over 100 million records both as a solo artist and as a member of a band. His success in the 1980s was unparalleled, as his work resulted in more US top-40 singles than any other artist during that decade.

His career is marked by many prestigious awards and honors. He has won eight Grammy Awards and six Brit Awards. He also holds two Golden Globe Awards and one Academy Award. In 1999, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Phil Collins star
Phil Collins star

He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003. Additionally, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010. He has also been recognized by the Modern Drummer and Classic Drummer Halls of Fame for his percussion skills.

Throughout his life, Collins has balanced his time between different musical entities. He left Genesis in 1996 to focus on his solo work and film contributions. However, he later rejoined the band for several reunion tours. These included the Turn It On Again Tour in 2007 and a second reunion tour from 2021 to 2022.

2369 - Philadelphia - Wachovia Center - Genesis - I Can't Dance
2369 - Philadelphia - Wachovia Center - Genesis - I Can't Dance

Even after a five-year retirement to focus on family, he returned to the stage. His career demonstrates how an artist can successfully bridge the worlds of rock, pop, and film scoring.

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🖼️ Images & Media (12)
File:Barbara-speake-school-close-up.jpeg
Barbara-speake-school-close-up.jpeg
File:Genesis 1977-06-03 (cropped).jpg
Genesis 1977-06-03 (cropped).jpg
File:Phil Collins 1981.jpg
Phil Collins 1981.jpg
File:Wembley Stadium Twin Towers.jpg
Wembley Stadium Twin Towers.jpg
File:Phil Collins 1980s (cropped).jpg
Phil Collins 1980s (cropped).jpg
File:Phil Collins.jpg
Phil Collins.jpg
File:Phil Collins Duesseldorf.jpg
Phil Collins Duesseldorf.jpg
File:2369 - Philadelphia - Wachovia Center - Genesis - I Can't Dance.JPG
2369 - Philadelphia - Wachovia Center -...
File:Phil Collins - Royal Albert Hall - Wednesday 7th June 2017 PhilCollinsRAH070617-7 (35215802066).jpg
Phil Collins - Royal Albert Hall -...
File:Gretsch drums.jpg
Gretsch drums.jpg
File:Phil Collins star.jpg
Phil Collins star.jpg
File:Phil Collins - BST Hyde Park - Friday 30th June 2017 PCollinsBST300617-26 (35649688476).jpg
Phil Collins - BST Hyde Park - Friday...
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