Phil Collins says he can “barely hold a drumstick anymore”
One of the most well-known artists in the world, Genesis’ drummer and lead singer Phil Collins has won eight Grammy awards. He is one of only three musicians who have sold more than 100 million records both as a solo performer and as a band member, along with Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney.
Collins was born to talented parents who fostered a love of music in him on January 30, 1951, in London, England.
Collins remembers when he was just five years old, his uncle made him a drum kit with tambourines, triangles, cymbals, and toy drums. “The old cliché is, well, at least that will keep him quiet,” he said.
Soon after, he started doing performances at his parents’ boating club.
“The English beat scene was just starting to emerge when I first began performing seriously, with bands like the Shadows and others. It was in the very early 1960s,” according to Collins.
“I can remember buying Please Please Me.” To avoid having to look at what I was playing while playing the drums, I used to pump up the record player’s volume and place my drums in front of a mirror.
When I was fourteen, I then went to a teacher to learn to read drum music. I anticipated having to work in a dance band or the orchestra pit when this rock and roll thing was finished. I then began to read drum music, but I soon realized that playing intuitively was far superior to reading.
