“I’m Phil Collins and I’m a drummer”

The trailer for an upcoming documentary entitled “Phil Collins: Drummer First” up Phil Collins shows the historic drummer of Genesis (he joined the band on the occasion of their third album in 1971) sit down at the drums for the first time in several years.

His career as a musician ended due to health problems, linked to a back injury suffered in 2007 which caused nerve damage. He can no longer play the drums and has difficulty walking. He was also diagnosed with diabetes in 2015.

In 2021 he revealed he could “barely hold a stick”, admitting it was “very frustrating because I would have loved to play”.

It was the son Nicholas Collins (born 2001) to replace him behind the drums for Genesis’ farewell tour, which ended in 2022. Nic and Phil play together in 2016

Nic later reported that Phil has “definitely retired,” saying, “But I also think my dad is probably excited about the next step in his life.” His son also accompanied him in live solo performances after the end of the band.

Nic isn’t the only son to follow in his father’s footsteps. In fact, Simon Collins, born from Phil’s first marriage, is also the singer and drummer of the progressive rock band Sound of Contact.

The trailer is taken from the film “Phil Collins: Drummer First”, which will be launched by the site Drumeospecializing in drummer training on December 18th. In the clip, Collins is seen walking with the aid of a cane and also sitting behind a drum kit with the help of Nic.

“Peter Gabriel he said that as soon as he saw me sitting… he knew I was a drummer”, says Collins, who also remembers how Eric Clapton he reacted to one performance by saying, “Fuck, what was that?” After Peter Gabriel’s departure from Genesis, Collins moved to the microphone, alternating his role as drummer during the live shows.

Phil Collins says in the moving trailer: “If one day I wake up and can hold a pair of drumsticks again, I’ll give it a try. I feel like I’ve used up my airline miles.” After sitting down at the kit and holding up a few drumsticks, he muses, “It’s so weird to hold a pair in your hand.” He is also seen musing: “I’m not a singer who plays a bit of drums – I’m more of a drummer who sings a bit.” He later points out, “I’m Phil Collins and I’m a drummer.”

Drumeo said in a statement: “This is Phil’s story, told in his own words… starring Nic Collins, Chad Smith, Mike Portnoy, Leland Sklar, Tommy Aldridge, Eloy Casagrande, Billy Cobham, Matt Cameron, Daryl Stuermer, Luis Conte, Dom Famularo, Simon Phillips, Todd Sucherman, Jonathan Moffett, Jordan Rudess, Brann Dailor, Liberty DeVitto, Chad Wackerman”.