Phil Collins has faced serious health struggles for years, dealing with nerve damage and back issues that forced him to step away from drumming—and ultimately, from touring. The Genesis frontman and solo superstar last performed live in 2022, closing out the band’s farewell tour while singing from a chair as his son Nic handled drums.
At 74, Collins hasn’t released a new album since 2010’s Going Back, a collection of soul covers. And based on a new interview with Mojo magazine, fans shouldn’t expect any new music anytime soon.
No Plans for New Music
When asked if he might record again, Collins gave a disappointing but honest answer:
“I keep thinking I should go downstairs to the studio and see what happens,” he told Mojo. “But I’m not hungry for it anymore. The thing is, I’ve been sick, I mean very sick.”
His last solo album of original material, Testify, came out over two decades ago in 2002. Since then, his health has taken priority, and it’s clear he no longer has the same drive to create music.
Reflecting on Genesis’ Farewell
The latest issue of Mojo takes a deep dive into Genesis’ history, featuring interviews with all five members of their classic lineup: Collins, Peter Gabriel, Mike Rutherford, Tony Banks, and Steve Hackett. The conversation comes 50 years after Gabriel departs from the band.
Gabriel, who left in 1975, attended Genesis’ final show in 2022 and shared his thoughts on Collins’ performance:
“Phil wasn’t in as great a shape as he used to be, but they did a great job,” he said. “Me going was a rite of passage, really. I’d been part of the creation of Genesis, so I wanted to be there at the end.”
Collins also reflected on taking over as frontman after Gabriel left:
“I honestly thought we could just carry on and be an instrumental group,” he admitted. “Of course, the others didn’t!”
As history shows, Genesis went on to achieve even greater commercial success with Collins as their lead singer, shifting to a more accessible sound that brought them mainstream fame.
How Collins First Joined Genesis
Collins became part of Genesis in 1970, after the band’s second album, Trespass. According to keyboardist Tony Banks, he and Gabriel were blown away by Collins’ drumming skills during his audition:
“We were a bit amateurish, and Phil made it sound good,” Banks recalled. “But he was also funny. Every time we met him, he had another funny story.”
Collins, however, had his own thoughts on Genesis’ early work:
“It was sort of formless,” he said. “At my audition, we’d listened to some of Trespass, and it wasn’t one thing or the other. There were harmonies that reminded me of Crosby, Stills & Nash, but when it was meant to be hard, like on ‘The Knife,’ it didn’t sound like they really meant it.”
Though Collins may not be making new music, his impact on Genesis and rock history is undeniable. And while his touring days are behind him, his legacy as one of the most influential drummers and singers in rock remains strong.