Phil Collins Quits

[war_n_peace]

also being a drummer, i can see where the constant repetative motion and impact from hitting the drums for decades could cause some nerve damage and other chronic pain...

 

[markkoelsch]

I'm glad someone else said it so I didn't have to.

+1 to this.

The health issues for Phil popped up on the last Genesis tour, and I thought he was officially done then. Well, now it is official. He was a fine drummer, good song writer, and decent singer. Any of us would be happy to have a career that sold 10% of what he has.

 

[MrLenny1]

I have hearing loss, severe tinnitus and nerve damage from playing bass but
can't afford to drop out. Thank God for pain killers!
I'm gonna miss Phil Collins.

 

[Nick901]

I really Like him. I think I'm in the minority.

 

[Keyser Soze]

Thanks, TBers. This is a much classier group epitaph than I expected. I've been a music fan for his entire career. Never much cared for "art rock" or "Brit jazz/rock fusion" and, other than respecting the "near-perfection" of his '80s pop hits, didn't much love those either.

But I have profound respect for a lifer, a rhythm section cat who sustained a career over decades and made some dough, gererated a lot of paydays for other musos (and support staff) and can retire and pay his medical bills, buy a little comfort, take his shoes off.

As a few of you said, perhaps a hipper-than-thou snarkfest might have been expected here. I'm glad we showed respect to this hard working drummer.

 

[Mike M.]

Hey, he's one of the lucky few who can say "been there, done that." Before I read the article I thought at least he could still write on the piano, but it sounds like he can't even do that! That sucks. Hopefully he'll get himself fixed up to the point where he could at least play piano and write again, even if it's for other people.

I always like him. Thought he was a great writer and a class act.

Hope you get it sorted out, Phil.

 

[Nev375]

I think Phil was always great at whatever he did.

 

[hrodbert696]

Classic Rock: Prog magazine did an interview with him recently, so this isn't news news. There's no doubt that his later work was very commercial, and how people are going to feel about that is going to depend on how they feel about commercial music in the first place. There's no doubt he's a talented guy with an amazing career, and anyone with a soul should feel for a guy whose injuries mean he can no longer play.

 

[BassfromSpace]

well i cant believe none of you listen to npr , they did a whole 30 min segment with him on fresh air. While he does have the health problems his main reason for giving it up was family and how he never gets to see his kids because hes so dam busy. That is the biggest thing a musician has done lately in my eyes. instead of looking like the who or something he stays honest with us, himself and his family. Big props to him, a timeless musician who rules the sticks. I applaude you phil. ABBACAB

 

[Scotia]

According to an update on the original article, and a link to a People article in said update, he's just taking a break.. not retiring.

I'm kind of neutral on the whole thing. I certainly did enjoy a lot of his work, Genesis and solo, but after a while I just got bored with listening to him.

Still, Easy Lover is one of my fave basslines to noodle around with. Ever.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20471616,00.html

 

[jaywa]

also being a drummer, i can see where the constant repetative motion and impact from hitting the drums for decades could cause some nerve damage and other chronic pain...

Almost every drummer I know who is at least my age (45) and has been doing it for 20 years or more, is now experiencing some sort of back problems... in the case of a couple of my friends, requiring surgery. It is definitely the most physically demanding of any instrument in modern music.

As for Phil Colliins as a drummer... well, IIRC he was Robert Plant's choice to drum on Plant's first post-Zeppelin album so that's good enough for me. As a singer... meh... "annoying" is a word that comes to mind. But he did always bring emotion to the vocal even on the schlockiest of tracks.

 

[mcm]

we need more men like lemmy, muddy, levon helm, angus, etc., in this world.

 

[MiniMoose234]

I always liked his singing, and in all honesty I have a soft spot cause I loved the disney Tarzan movie soundtrack a ton when I was like 6 or 7 when it came out. I still have it somewhere, I gotta find it..
I always really liked his singing, lyrics were eh but no worse than a lot of other stuff. Plus he seemed like a pretty cool guy anyway.

 

[avvie]

Wow... even Phil Collins hates Phil Collins...

Invalid Link Removed

 

[davec]

Just because everyone no longer loves everything you do, doesn't mean the world hates you......

He'll be back

 

[cnltb]

I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Christy, take off your robe. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. Sabrina, remove your dress. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Sabrina, why don't you, uh, dance a little. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock. Christy, get down on your knees so Sabrina can see your ********. Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. Sabrina, don't just stare at it, *** **. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.

...and looking at this picture I am reminded of how good the film would have been with anyone but Christian Bail playing the lead...

 

[perogato02]

I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Christy, take off your robe. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. Sabrina, remove your dress. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Sabrina, why don't you, uh, dance a little. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock. Christy, get down on your knees so Sabrina can see your ********. Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. Sabrina, don't just stare at it, *** **. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.

+ 1