Genesis drummer and singer Phil Collins had formally announced his retirement from performing, citing persistent health issues as the reason. Now, the 74-year-old singer revealed in a recent interview with Mojo magazine that his physical condition has only made it difficult for him to continue being in the music industry.
He also added that his condition has made him less enthusiastic about creating new music. Collins considered his health and said that although he sometimes thinks about going back to his home studio, he lacks the motivation to take on new projects.
What sickness is Phil Collins dealing with?
Collins’ health took a nosedive when he sustained a spinal injury in 2007, which resulted in significant nerve damage. His vertebrae were harmed, leading to long-term issues that progressively got worse over time. Collins underwent back surgery, after which he acquired a drop foot, reducing his mobility and making walking difficult.
His medical issues did not end there, as Collins’ physical difficulties escalated in 2017 when he fell in his home and suffered a brain injury. His health got so bad that he was unable to play the drums anymore. In an interview that year, he described how the nerve damage in his hands had made it almost impossible for him to hold drumsticks. This was an especially heartbreaking truth for Collins, who had been a drummer all his life.
Is Phil Collins getting any better?
Collins has been mostly out of the music business as his health refuses to get better. His most recent original album Testify came out in 2002. In 2010, he released Going Back, which included Motown classics.
He has yet to release any new music since then, but his son Nic Collins took over on drums on his farewell tour with Genesis in 2022, where Collins himself performed while seated. His recent comments during his interview implied that his health has not improved enough for him to do anything productive.