Phil Collins on the end of his drumming career: “It’s a shock”

Phil Collins (73) has spoken about his poor health. The 73-year-old “In the Air Tonight” interpreter explained in the documentary “Phil Collins: Drummer First” that he still has to process the fact that he can no longer play the drums: That still hasn’t fully gotten through to him, he said Collins in a conversation that was recorded in October 2022, according to US media reports.

“I’ve spent my whole life playing drums. To suddenly not be able to do it is a shock,” says Phil Collins. The musician started playing the instrument when he was five years old. He had to give it up in March 2022.

In addition to several health issues he has faced in recent years, the Genesis member was also diagnosed with a foot condition. This resulted in him no longer having feeling in one of his feet. He also had to undergo back surgery.

Phil Collins explained in the film that over the years, “playing drums has taken a toll” on his hands and legs. He added: “If I can’t do what I did as well as I did, I’d rather relax and not do anything at all.”

The music star also says in the documentary that if he wakes up one day and can hold the drumsticks, “then I’ll try.” But he feels like “I’ve used up my airline miles.”

Collins’ son Nic (23), who has followed in his father’s footsteps and plays drums, also speaks about his father’s health in the documentary. “Musicians, people in bands in general, had this idea that they were invincible,” he said. “I think that’s what concerns my father, this feeling that as a drummer you’re invincible, you do what you do. But you don’t know that in the long run it takes its toll.”