Phil Collins: Drummer First

"I’m not a singer that plays a bit of drums; I’m more of a drummer that sings a bit”. This famous Phil Collins quote perfectly captures the essence of a man celebrated by millions as a pop legend. But ask Phil himself, and he’ll tell you: “I’m a drummer”.

On March 26, 2022, after an extraordinary 50-year career of touring and recording, Phil Collins announced his retirement. Later that year, we had the incredible honor of inviting Phil and his son, Nic Collins, to the breathtaking Château de l'Aile in Vevey, Switzerland. From October 18-21, 2022, Phil shared his story like never before in a series of brand-new interviews.

For the first time on film, Phil takes us on a journey through his life and career from a drumming perspective—from his early days behind the kit to his groundbreaking work with Genesis and his celebrated solo career, from his time with the jazz-fusion group Brand X to composing for Disney’s Tarzan, forming his own big band, and ultimately passing the torch to Nic during the final Genesis and Phil Collins tours.

This is Phil’s story, told in his own words.

This documentary offers a rare and personal glimpse into the life and legacy of a true drumming icon. Phil’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and sacrifice—a testament to the power of giving everything you have for what you love. We are deeply grateful to Phil for trusting Drumeo to share his remarkable story.

The Genesis Of Phil Collins (FREE eBook)
► https://www.drumeo.com/phil-collins
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Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction
02:36 - How Phil Became A Drummer
06:24 - Joining Genesis, Nursery Cryme & “The Musical Box”
11:29 - A Tale Of Two Stools & Early Drum Kits
14:41 - The Earliest Version Of Phil's Famous Drum Fill
15:12 - Setting Up Phil’s Drum Kit & Tour Stories
19:57 - “Watcher Of The Skies” & “Supper’s Ready”
22:09 - Selling England By The Pound & Switching To Concert Toms
27:04 - The New Singer
31:25 - A Trick Of The Tail & Phil’s First Gig As Lead Singer
34:48 - Peter Gabriel Stage Stories
37:54 - Drum Duets & “Los Endos”
41:15 - A New Band: Brand X
44:39 - Almost Joining Yes & Hiring Bill Bruford
47:03 - The New Drummer: Chester Thompson
49:10 - “Wot Gorilla?” & “Follow You Follow Me”
51:39 - Phil’s Least Favorite Genesis Song
52:39 - A New Era Of Genesis
54:34 - Led Zeppelin vs. Genesis: Melody Maker Awards
56:00 - The Face Value Demo
1:00:33 - The “In The Air Tonight” Live Catastrophe
1:02:02 - How To Play “In The Air Tonight” (The Correct Way)
1:02:54 - The Birth Of Gated Reverb
1:06:24 - Becoming A Music Icon
1:07:58 - “Behind The Lines”, “Take Me Home” & Drum Machines
1:12:12 - Simmons Drums, “Invisible Touch” & “Home By The Sea”
1:16:49 - Collaborations: Frida, Robert Plant, Eric Clapton & More
1:21:26 - “Easy Lover”, “Sussudio” & “I Don’t Care Anymore”
1:30:00 - Limitations Of Drum Equipment
1:32:17 - Phil Buys A Big Band!
1:35:52 - Jazz Heroes: Buddy Rich & Tony Williams
1:38:30 - Tarzan, Retirement & Injuries
1:45:49 - Nic Collins Carries The Torch
1:49:33 - Drum Secrets & The Father-Son Piano Duet
1:55:28 - Reflections On Nic Playing Drums
1:57:12 - Phil Looks Back On His 50-Year Career
1:58:45 - Final Reflections & End Credits
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Concord Music, the rights holder for Phil Collins and Genesis recordings, has declined to participate in this documentary and has not granted Drumeo permission to feature any music or past video footage of Phil Collins or Genesis. As a result, we have explored alternative ways to tell Phil’s story and present the narrative without their involvement.
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