Phil Collins spent most of his early entertainment life as a young actor and model. He played the "Artful Dodger" in the West End production of "Oliver!" alongside the future movie screen "Artful Dodger", Jack Wild. His interest in music and drumming began at school, where he drummed with a stage school band "The Real Thing", subsequently joining "Freehold" and "Flaming Youth". "Flaming Youth" recorded an album to some critical acclaim, although the group disbanded shortly afterward. Collins later successfully auditioned for Genesis, taking over vocals from Peter Gabriel when he left the band in 1975.

After separating from his first wife, Collins recorded his first solo album, "Face Value". The album was well received and Collins started to become a household name after the song "In the Air Tonight" was featured on the US TV show Miami Vice. This instigated a guest appearance on the show playing a game show host. His third LP, "No Jacket Required", produced multiple chart hits and awards.

Collins is an active musician and entertainer, contributing and guesting regularly on many albums, ranging from Gary Brooker and "Camel" (Peter Frampton's old band) to Eric Clapton. Current projects include his solo career as a vocalist, recording with Genesis, the Jazz Fusion group Brand X and his Swing Band.


Singer/drummer, ex-member of the rock band Genesis. Appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order in 1994. Left Genesis in 1996. Beat out many singers as a replacement for vocalist Peter Gabriel after Peter Gabriel left Genesis for a solo career. Most fans didn't really notice, not only due to the similarity in both singers voices, but because Collins had been singing back up to Gabriel for years in the band. Played at both Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia segments of Live Aid. He was able to accomplish the feat by hopping on the Concord and flying to Philadelphia as soon as he finished his set in London. Performed at the BBC's annual Children in Need charity event. [21 November 2003] He plays the piano. In 1999, he reunited with his former Genesis band mates Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Steve Hackett for a re-recording of the Genesis song "The Carpet Crawlers" (originally from their 1974 album "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway"), which appears on the Genesis compilation "Turn it on Again". Is of Irish and British descent. Played drums and sang back up on Eric Clapton's single "Bad Love" from his album "Journeyman" (1989). Started to play drums at the age of five. His favourite guitarist is Eric Clapton. Was only 19 when he was named drummer/backup vocalist for Genesis in 1970. Later took over main vocal duties when Peter Gabriel left the band in 1975 and no one successfully auditioned to be his replacement. His music video 'I Wish It Would Rain Down' saw him fictionally winning an Academy Award. He then actually won one for the soundtrack to Tarzan (1999). Winner of the 1990 Brit Awards for British Male Solo Artist and British Single for "Another Day in Paradise". He had US number one singles with "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (1984), "One More Night" (1985), "Sussudio" (1985), "Separate Lives" (1985), "A Groovy Kind of Love" (1988), "Two Hearts" (1989) and "Another Day in Paradise" (1989). Genesis had a US number one single with "Invisible Touch" (1986). Appointed Honourary Ambassador of Peace for the Harvey Ball Foundation along with Brooke Shields, Jackie Chan, A.V.T. Shankardass, Jerry Lewis, Prince Albert of Monaco, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Jimmy Buffett, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Darrell Waltrip, Heather Mills, Yoko Ono, Patch Adams, Sergei Khrushchev and Winnie Mandela. January 1989: Voted #4 Radio Artist for 1989 in France. First was Kylie Minogue; second David Hallyday and third Madonna. By 2006, he had sold 130 million albums as a member of Genesis and over 100 million solo albums around the world. In the UK alone, Genesis had achieved 500 weeks on the albums chart and 187 weeks on the singles chart. He had also achieved 846 weeks on the albums chart and 235 weeks on the singles chart as a solo artist. Credited with writing the music and lyrics of just three Genesis songs on his own. These are "Misunderstanding" and "Please Don't Ask" from the album "Duke" and "Man on the Corner" from the album "Abacab". A popular tradition in Genesis live shows since the late 1970s is the "Drum Duet" between Collins and Chester Thompson, in which the two men compete in a drumming duel for several minutes. Winner of the 2008 Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement. Phil Collins has an interest in the history of the Alamo located in San Antonio, TX. He visits there often and collects artifacts from the site. He provides narration to a "Battle of the Alamo" exhibit located just outside the grounds of the Alamo. Announced in 2009 that he was no longer able to drum due to a spinal injury.