Legendary drummer Phil Collins, the human metronome and all-around rock god, has hit us with some bittersweet news that feels like a cymbal crash to the heart. At 73, the music icon has officially confirmed that his drumming days are behind him. Yes, the man who gave us In the Air Tonight and countless drum solos that could make your grandma headbang is stepping away from his beloved drum kit.
This emotional bombshell comes courtesy of Phil Collins: Drummer First, a documentary that dropped on December 18. In the film, Phil drops the mic (or drumsticks, in this case) with a heavy revelation: “I’ve spent all my life playing drums. To suddenly not be able to do that is a shock,” he said, and somewhere, an angel lost its rhythm.
Let’s rewind: Phil has been pounding the skins with Genesis since 1970, serving up beats that defined decades, and later went solo to serenade the world with classics. But after 50 years of drumming up a storm, his hands and legs have waved the white flag, forcing him to retire in March 2022.
And how does Phil feel about all this? Well, imagine being a superhero who lost their cape. “If I can’t do what I did as well as I did it, I’d rather relax and not do anything,” he said. Fair point, Phil. If we couldn’t air drum to Invisible Touch with the same gusto, we’d also call it quits.
But don’t count him out completely! Phil hasn’t ruled out a comeback: “If I wake up one day and I can hold a pair of drumsticks, then I’ll have a crack at it.” Translation: Phil is basically the Rocky Balboa of drummers, ready to pounce on those sticks if the universe gives him the green light.
Meanwhile, Phil’s son, Nic Collins, who has been carrying on the family tradition of drumming, chimed in with some deep wisdom. “Musicians, people in bands in general, had this thought that they were invincible,” he said. “But you don’t know it’s gonna take a toll in the long run.”
Nic isn’t wrong. After all, Phil didn’t just play the drums; he was the drums. Watching him retire feels like watching Thor hang up his hammer.
Phil’s last hurrah came in March 2022 during a Genesis concert with Nic backing him up on stage and his actress daughter Lily Collins cheering him on in the audience. If that isn’t the definition of a mic-drop (or stick-drop) moment, what is?
So here we are, a world without Phil Collins on the drums. It’s a little quieter, a little less funky. But let’s hold out hope for that magical morning when Phil wakes up, grabs some sticks, and gives us one last epic drumroll. Until then, let’s revisit the classics and keep his beats alive.
P.S. If you’re still crying, In the Air Tonight is the perfect soundtrack for your feels.
