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Phil Collins
Phil Collins
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Phil Collins' ascent to the status of one of the most successful pop and adult contemporary singers of the '80s and beyond was probably as much of a surprise to him as it was to many others. Balding and diminutive, Collins was almost 30 years old when his first solo single, "In the Air Tonight," became a number two hit in his native U.K. (the song was a Top 20 hit in the U.S.). Between 1984 and 1990, Collins had a string of 13 straight U.S. Top Ten hits.

Long before any of that happened, however, Collins was a child actor/singer who appeared as The Artful Dodger in the London production of Oliver! in 1964. (He also has a cameo in A Hard Day's Night, among other films.) He got his first break in music at the end of his teens, when he was chosen to be a replacement drummer in the British art-rock band Genesis in 1970. (Collins maintained a separate jazz career with the band Brand X, as well.) Genesis was fronted by singer Peter Gabriel. They had achieved a moderate level of success in the U.K. and the U.S., with elaborate concept albums, before Gabriel abruptly left in 1974. Genesis auditioned 400 singers without success, then decided to let Collins have a go.

The result was a gradual simplifying of Genesis' sound and an increasing focus on Collins' expressive, throaty voice. And Then There Were Three. . . went gold in 1978, and Duke was even more successful. Collins made his debut solo album Face Value in 1981, which turned out to be a bigger hit than any Genesis album. It concentrated on Collins' voice, often in stark, haunting contexts such as the piano-and-drum dirge "In the Air Tonight," which sounded like something from John Lennon's debut solo album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.

During the '80s, Collins balanced his continuing solo work with Genesis with enormous success. In 1992, Genesis released We Can't Dance and began an extensive tour. Upon its completion Collins released Both Sides in 1993, and the record became his first album not to produce a major hit single or go multi-platinum. In 1995, he announced that he was leaving Genesis permanently. The following year, he released Dance Into the Light. Although the album was a flop, its subsequent supporting tour was a success. The Hits collection followed in 1998, and a year later Collins made his first big-band record, Hot Night in Paris. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music GuideMore

Fan Comments

Aug 31st, 3:15pm Last edited Aug 31st, 3:17pm.
#1 fan 4 sure, has been since 1979, I was just a kid but ,I've always been able 2 relate 2 every or any song suitable 4 the moment. To date i have every album 4rm GENESIS,( IN the BEGINNIG)--- to his (Testify) album If you truly love his music u haven't heard it all untill you start 4rm the Genisis when he was just a drummer & a GREAT 1 @ that!!!!!! Phil I Love You!!!!!
Jun 23rd, 5:43am Last edited Jun 23rd, 5:43am.
another day in paradise, one more night and two worlds
the best
amazing
Jun 8th, 11:35pm
Mr. Collins is an awesome artist that surely knows how to entertain his fans,thank you, :)
May 16th, 1:51pm
Cool Phil Collins... Luv it 80's songs
Jan 18th, 7:46am
Good Morning Phil
Dec 10th, 12:06pm
I love all siongs, specially Against all odds. When Will he come to Portugal again?
Nov 11th, 10:38pm
i love all songs of Phil and his voice is wonderfull to hear and dream
Nov 7th, 11:04am
wha??im a the only one to comment on your page??????????????
Nov 7th, 11:02am
OMG!!!Phil!!!wooow... I'm a really big fan of yours!!!!! hope youll have another world tour... wish you could come here in the PHILS hehehehehe esp in cagayan de oro city in mindanao so i can watch haha