Phil Collins: A Look At The Legendary Musician On His 75th Birthday—The Daily Earworm
Iconic British singer, drummer, and songwriter Phil Collins turned 75 today. Collins has entertained us all for close to sixty years, so today’s Daily Earworm takes a look back over his historic career, from child actor to Genesis drummer and singer to solo hitmaker.
The Early Years
Collins was born in West London in 1951 and started playing the drums at the tender age of five. He didn’t start his entertainment career as a drummer, though. He started out as a child actor, taking on his first major role as the Artful Dodger in the West End production of the stage musical “Oliver!” At 13, Collins had a small role in the movie “A Hard Day’s Night.” By 19, Collins had accumulated a nice acting résumé, but he pivoted to music when he took over as the drummer for the rock band Genesis from John Mayhew.
Genesis: From Drummer to Frontman
Collins drummed for the band for five years before lead singer Peter Gabriel left. During the band’s break, he lent his drumming talents to the jazz fusion band Brand X. When Genesis reunited to record their next album, “A Trick of the Tail” in 1976, the band auditioned singers while laying down the instrumental tracks. When they finished without finding a suitable replacement for Gabriel, Collins took a stab at recording vocals for a song. The band liked what they heard, and Collins became the band’s new frontman.
During Collins’ time fronting the band, Genesis recorded hits like “Misunderstanding,” “That’s All,” “Invisible Touch” (featured above), “Throwing It All Away,” “In Too Deep,” “Land of Confusion,” “I Can’t Dance,” and “Tonight, Tonight, Tonight.” “Invisible Touch” became the band’s only single to top the charts in the United States and their only single to be certified gold. Genesis earned five Grammy nominations with Collins at the helm, winning Best Concept Music Video in 1988 for “Land of Confusion.”
Solo Career
On top of his work with Genesis and sneaking in time with Brand X during breaks, Collins began a solo career in 1981 with the release of Face Value. His solo debut sold over five million copies in the U.S. alone and landed in the Top 10 of charts all over the world. He continued to release solo work during breaks from Genesis, and in 1996, after more than 25 years with the group, he decided to leave the band to focus on his solo career.
Collins’ solo career has produced lasting hits like “In The Air Tonight” (featured above), “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Against All Odds,” “Easy Lover” with Phillip Bailey, “Sussudio,” “One More Night,” “A Groovy Kind of Love,” “Two Hearts,” and “Another Day in Paradise.” He has produced seven #1 singles and sold an estimated 150 million records worldwide.
Awards and Achievements
On top of Collins’ hit singles and staggering record sales, he has accumulated a number of awards through the years. He has won eight Grammy Awards, six Brit Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, three American Music Awards, two Golden Globes, an MTV Video Music Award, and an Academy Award. Collins was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Genesis in 2010.
Phil Collins’ Legacy
Collins recorded some of the most enduring hits of the ’80s and ’90s and has left a legacy of pop, rock, and jazz music that will be entertaining music lovers long after he is gone. (Who among us has not played air drums on the drum solo from “In the Air Tonight”?) Total Apex Entertainment wishes Mr. Collins a Happy 75th Birthday, and many more!
The Daily Earworm is a daily column that tells the stories, from the historic to the lesser-known, of some of the music industry’s greatest songs, albums, and artists. Here are some other music tales that you may find interesting:
The Rob Zombie Hit Based Off A Cult Classic Book And Movie
Pearl Turns 55: Janis Joplin’s Final Album Still Resonates
