Phil Collins Biography

Phil Collins was born in 1951 in Hounslow, London, and developed a passion for music at a young age, particularly for the drums. He received his first drum kit at five years old and honed his skills by playing consistently throughout his childhood. Although he never learned to read music, Collins developed a unique written system to help him compose, relying heavily on his keen ear.

At the age of fourteen, Collins began studying at a stage school in London, which paved the way for his early career as a child model and actor. He made his debut in the London production of Oliver! and appeared as an extra in notable films such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and A Hard Day’s Night. During this time, Collins also performed with local bands, cultivating both his vocal talent and drumming abilities.

Collins earned his first record deal as the drummer for the band Flaming Youth, which released the album Ark 2 in 1969. Despite its lackluster commercial reception, this experience led to a turning point in his career. He responded to an ad in the Melody Maker, resulting in him joining the iconic band Genesis. Collins used his time with Genesis to enhance his vocal and songwriting skills, contributing significantly to celebrated albums like Duke, Abacab, Genesis, and Invisible Touch.

In the early 1980s, Collins embarked on a successful solo career, releasing his debut album, Face Value, in 1981. This album marked a new peak in his career, featuring the legendary hit "In the Air Tonight." This was followed by a string of successful albums and singles, including No Jacket Required (1985), Both Sides (1993), and Testify (2002), solidifying his status in the music industry. From 1984 to 1990, he achieved an impressive thirteen Top Ten hits while still maintaining his role in Genesis until his permanent departure in 1995.

After releasing Going Back in 2010 and performing special concerts, Collins was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Genesis. He announced a hiatus in 2011 but returned to the music scene in 2015, signing with Warner Music Group to release remastered material. His autobiography, Not Dead Yet, was published in 2016, detailing his life and experiences in the music world.

Collins also wrote songs for Disney's animated film Tarzan (1999), including the Oscar-winning "You'll Be in My Heart." He briefly reunited with Genesis for the Turn It On Again Tour in 2007 before focusing again on his family life. After a five-year break, he went on the Not Dead Yet Tour from 2017 to 2019 and later rejoined Genesis for a final reunion tour from 2021 to 2022.

With a remarkable discography comprising eight studio albums, Collins has achieved sales of 33.5 million certified units in the U.S. alone, and an estimated 150 million records worldwide. He is among the few artists, including Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson, to have sold over 100 million records both as solo artists and as principal members of bands. Throughout his storied career, he has received numerous accolades, including eight Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes, and an Academy Award, establishing himself as one of the world's best-selling music artists and a respected figure in the industry.