https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55 By Phil Collins en-us 2019-01-01 22:32:19 UTC 2026-03-17 00:24:05 UTC hello@padlet.com khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/316983683 Collins, Phil. Phil Collins Not Yet Dead Memoir. Great Britain: Century, 2016.]]> 2019-01-01 23:00:22 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/316983683 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/316984371 Phil Collins was born on January 30, 1951.  When he was age 3, he received his first infant drum set.  From that day forward, Phil would become an impressive drummer.]]> 2019-01-01 23:21:14 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/316984371 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/316985145 In 1968, at age 17, Phil was dating a girl and realized that she wanted to leave him.  Wracked with the heartbreak at the prospect of losing her, he starts to fool around on the piano and ends up writing his first song, "Lying, Crying, Dying."  When Bruce Rowland (a very impressive drummer) hears Phil's song, he tells Phil he should sing, not play drums.]]> 2019-01-01 23:42:51 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/316985145 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/316985243 In 1970, when Phil was 19, he was asked by a chauffeur friend to come audition for the drummer in a new band who were recording on Abbey Road (which is where only the big stars recorded at the time).  When he arrive, in walks George Harrison and Ringo Starr (prior Beatles).  They are making a new record and would like Phil to be their drummer for this album (or so he thinks).  Phil plays for hours on end, nonstop, his fingers and hands are bleeding and finally, after an eternity, they tell him he can go now.  When the album comes out, his name is no where on the record.  When he plays the album, he is not even in it.  This will spite Phil for 30 years.  

Years later, in the late 80s, George Harrison and Phil become great friends.  One day Phil asks him if he remembers that day above.  George says he has no recollection of it.  This hurts him even more.  Then in 2001, George Harrison makes a funny tape for Phil.  George was recording with Ray Cooper and told Ray to play the congas very badly.  Then George yells, "Phil? Phil? Do you think we can try it one more time without the conga player?"  So now Phil really thinks George found the tape and that George was talking to him.  Phil is in heaven.  George then calls Phil and asks him if he got the tape.  George proceeds to tell him it was a joke and was just recorded.  Phil is absolutely pissed, but still laughing about it.

This is a very infamous joke with many online articles detailing what George Harrison did to Phil.]]> 2019-01-01 23:46:54 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/316985243 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/316988031 Phil saw an ad in a music magazine for a drummer.  He noticed the name Tony Stratton-Smith looking for a drummer for his group.  Phil knew Tony and asked if he could audition.  Phil comes to Peter Gabriel's parents mansion to audition.  Genesis consisted of Tony Banks, Peter Gabriel and Mike Rutherford.  During the audition, Phil felt he did pretty good, but at the end, all he got from the band is "we'll let you know".  On August 8, 1970, Peter Gabriel tells Phil he got the gig and is now a member of Genesis.]]> 2019-01-02 01:09:34 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/316988031 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/319082986 On 5/22/1975 Peter Gabriel quit Genesis.  The news was officially released on 8/15/1975.  I dug a bit deeper as Phil does not really state why Peter left.  In an article on the Ultimate Classic Rock website, by Dave Swanson, Peter explains his feelings at the time, "There was all this big time stuff happening with long tours being planned way in the future, and I just felt I was getting to be part of a machine.  I felt I was becoming a sort of stereotype, sort of 'rock star', or falling into wanting that ego gratification.  I didn't like myself, I didn't like the situation, and I didn't feel free."  

After Peter quit, the 3 remaining members of Genesis held hundreds of auditions to find another singer for their band.  After nearly 400 auditions, Phil said, "how about I have a go?" And the rest of the guys shrugged: "Might as well." They later told Phil it was like a cartoon lightbulb moment. They look at each other in the control room and their eyebrows say it all: "By George I think he's got it! " Phil states, "Looking back it was a defining moment for me."  Late in 1975, Phil Collins became the singer of Genesis.

After Phil took over singing for Genesis they became extremely popular.  Genesis goes on many tours and world tours.  Unfortunately, because of this, his marriage did not last.]]> 2019-01-10 03:38:45 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/319082986 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/319500768 When Phil was a teenager in Barbara Speake's Stage School, he met Andy Bertorelli. They became childhood sweethearts. Phil loved Andy's mom and loved spending time with her family. In the late sixties they went their separate ways. Phil had another on/off girlfriend, Lavinia Lang, who he saw in between seeing Andy. In the spring of 1974, Phil had not seen Andy for 3 or 4 years. He had heard through his mother that she had gone off into the wilderness, met someone, and lived in a cabin for a short time. She got pregnant and then the father of the baby abandoned her. Andy had Joely on August 8, 1972. Andy returned to her parents in 1972 in Vancouver, Canada. Genesis was coming to Vancouver so Phil called her family to invite them to his show. Andy's family insists Phil stay with them while he is in Vancouver.  By the time he leaves Vancouver, him and Andy are a thing again.  In 1975 Andy and Phil get married.  Andy then becomes pregnant with their first child.  Simon Philip Nando Collins is born on September 14, 1976.

Phil stayed married to Andy from 1975 to 1980.  During this time, he was rarely home and always on tour.  He never really had the time to give to his family.  His wife had an affair with a man who was redecorating their house.  Andy came clean and told him in an angry rant over the phone.  Back in those days, the only form of communication was via a telephone or a letter in the mail.  Phil states because of those limitations, it was difficult to keep in touch, especially when he was overseas.  In 1980, Phil and Andy divorced.
']]> 2019-01-10 22:31:33 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/319500768 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/319538099 In the summer of 1995, a team from Disney Headquarters in Burbank, Los Angeles, flew to Switzerland to meet with Phil (who was, at the time, permanently living in Switzerland with Orianne).  The men from Disney came with a proposal.  They wanted Phil to write the music for the company's 37th animated feature, Tarzan. Phil said,  "It was an offer I could not refuse."  

From 1995 to 1999, Phil worked on writing the songs for Tarzan.  In the beginning, the producers wanted the actors to sing Phil's songs.  Glenn Close, who played Tarzan's foster mother (who is also a Broadway singer), just could not grasp how to sing the song Phil wrote.  After many tries, the producers decide they want Phil to sing.  They want him to sing ALL the songs for the movie.  Phil is extremely thrilled with this outcome.  Phil states, "Not only will my songs be in a Disney movie, my voice will too.  On top of that, the songs will be performed as I wrote them."

On June 16, 1999, two days before the release of Tarzan, Phil is awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, outside Disney's own El Capitan Theatre.  He states, "Not something an end-of-the-line boy from Hounslow could ever have imagined in a million years."

On June 18, 1999, Tarzan was released.  It became a hit, grossing almost $500 million worldwide and becoming the fifth biggest film of the year.  "You'll Be in My Heart" is nominated for an Oscar and wins the Golden Globe for Best Original Song-Motion Picture.  At the Grammys, composer Mark Mancina and Phil win the award for Best Soundtrack Album.

At the Oscar's in 2000, Phil won the Award for Best Original Song.  

In 2000 Phil wins the Oscar for Best Original Son for "You'll be in my Heart."

]]> 2019-01-11 02:59:39 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/319538099 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/319993126 In the early 80', while at a bar/nightclub, Phil stretched out his arms, above his head and sort of bent them backwards, while sitting in a booth. When 
he did this, a girl reached back and grabbed his hands.  Next thing you know, this girl (Jill) and her friend are sitting with Phil and his friend.  They get married in 1984 and have a baby named Lily on March 18, 1989.  

Unfortunately, at one of his concerts, his ex-girlfriend (Lavinia) from when he was a teenager shows up. While his wife Jill is watching, Lavinia gives him a full on big kiss. He then takes Lavinia outside to his trailer to talk.  Later that night, when he gets into his limo with his wife and mother-in-law, Jill angrily states out loud "that was Lavinia."  

A few weeks later, Jill is in the US and Phil is back home in Europe.  Lavinia comes to Europe for a visit.  After that, Phil and Lavinia decide to tell their spouses that they want a divorce.  Unfortunately, Lavinia's husband says he will take their children and ruin her career.  Jill digs her heels in also.

For many years, Phil and Jill tried to make it work, but again, he just was never home to be part of his family.  He could not be much of a father while he was always on tour or busy making albums.  

In March, 1994, while on tour in Switzerland, a representative from a recording agency met Genesis at the airport.  Out steps Orianne, age 21 (Phil age 43).  Phil cannot take his eyes off Orianne.  After his concert, he tries desperately to get in touch with her.  In the meantime, she was actually trying to break up with her boyfriend.  After her boyfriend beats her up, she goes to Phil and then their affair begins.

FAXGATE:  Phil had tried to call Jill many times to call it quits with their marriage, but she never would answer the phone.  In May, 1994, Phil decides he is going to fax Jill a 5 page letter explaining his affair.  Unfortunately, he did not dispose of this fax properly and the tabloids got a hold of it BEFORE Jill even saw it.  The tabloids ran an ugly spread on Phil in their magazine.  They actually changed the words in his fax.  The tabloids screamed "Phil Collins divorces wife via fax!"  Of course, this ran all over Europe and Phil became quite hated amongst the general public.  But in the USA, they did not really even care about the story with the fax.

Finally in 1996, Jill and Phil get divorced.  At the time, he was living in Switzerland full-time with Orianne.]]> 2019-01-12 23:31:42 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/319993126 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/320081162 In January 1996, Genesis has a meeting at Tony's (band member) house.  Phil and the band have some small talk, but he says they all knew why they were there.  Phil states "I'm leaving."  Tony replies "Well, it's a sad day."  Mike said "We understand.  We're just surprised you stayed this long."  Phil felt Genesis would end after he left, but Tony and Mike wanted to go on.  They said they would find another singer.  On March 28, 1996, the official announcement was made via a press release issued by their management.  It read "Genesis end twenty-year experiment, decide to replace Peter Gabriel as vocalist...For the past twenty years, drummer Phil Collins has been temping as a singer, to great acclaim..."]]> 2019-01-13 18:51:53 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/320081162 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321065771 After his marriage with Andy ended in divorce, Phil took a sabbatical from Genesis.  During this time, Phil bought a drum machine and set up quite a nice studio in his home.  He began to write songs, songs that were related to his failed marriage with Andy.  In 1979, Phil wrote "In the Air Tonight."  He said a few of the lines of this song were a message to Andy.  He was trying to say that when he would try to call her in Vancouver, he would have difficulty getting through, literally and figuratively.  He felt that he wasn't reaching her.  He states this song also means "that I am getting on with my life, or trying to."

In the summer of 1980, Phil played his demo tape to Ahmet Ertegun of Atlantic Records. Phil states that Ahmet listened to the demo and declared with emphatic enthusiasm, "THIS IS A RECORD!" "In the air tonight" will become one of Phil Collins most notable songs. When his first solo album titled, Face Value came out on Feburary 13, 1981 it climbed to No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart for three weeks and No. 7 on the US Billboard 200.]]> 2019-01-16 02:16:50 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321065771 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321068510 Phil decides in the summer of 1981 to take on another career:  Record producer.  How Phil puts it, "Band success begets solo success begets lots of people wanting a bit of whatever perceived "magic" I've got."  Phil went on to produce 38 albums for many people, and many of his own albums too.

]]> 2019-01-16 02:35:32 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321068510 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321076097 In 1985, Phil won a Grammy for "Against All Odds", for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male. Phil states, "I didn't even know my song was nominated for a Grammy. I only found out when the award arrived in the post. "What's this? Something else for Paul Collins?" (they had misspelled his name). 

"Against All Odds" was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song.  Sadly, Stevie Wonder won the Oscar with his song, "I just called to say I love you."]]> 2019-01-16 03:34:16 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321076097 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321078083 Phil had always loved Big Band music.  From early on, Buddy Rich (one of the most influential drummers of all time) was someone he truly admired and was a huge fan.  In 1996, the Montreux Jazz Festival made him an offer he could not refuse.  Monsieur Nobs, in charge of the jazz festival, invited Phil to pick a day and do anything he wanted to in the festival.  Phil states that he said, "Well Claude, I've always wanted to play in a big band."  Phil decided to start his own Big Band .  He was able to get Tony Bennett to join them and sing a few songs while they went on a small tour.  Phil enjoyed his Big Band from 1996-1998.]]> 2019-01-16 03:52:04 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321078083 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321078941 After 5 years of dating, Phil and Orianne married in 1999.  They had a son (Nicholas Grey Austin Collins) on April 21, 2001.   Then on December 1, 2004, they had another son (Matthew Thomas Clemmons Collins).]]> 2019-01-16 03:58:09 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321078941 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321080507 On June 12, 2003, Phil Collins was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Phil states, "To be deemed worthy of inclusion by my peers is a thrill". In 2016, there were fewer than 400 members in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.]]> 2019-01-16 04:11:13 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321080507 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321081560 In early 2006, Orianne filed for divorce.  Sadly, the same story of his prior marriages continues with Orianne.  Phil is never able to be home because of all the projects and tours he continues to do.  After their divorce, Phil is introduced to TV news anchor, Dana Tyler.  He asks her to call him Phillip as he feels "Phil" is a mess and he wants a new identity.]]> 2019-01-16 04:23:05 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321081560 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321082266 In mid-2007, while on tour, Phil developed a problem with his left arm. It got to the point where he could barely hold his drumsticks. While on tour, he visited a few medical professionals. Even a faith healer. He has severe numbness in his fingers, no strength in his hand, and it just kept getting worse. In Switzerland, he gets an MRI. This shows that the vertebrae on top of his spine are in terrible condition. He undergoes surgery to screw his vertebrae back together with man-made calcium. After one year, he still has no feeling in his fingers on the left hand. Another doctor looks at his arm and says that there is a misplaced nerve in his arm. In early 2008 Phil undergoes two operations as the doctors try to re-lay the nerve. Because of all these surgeries and nothing to do during his recovery time, he turns to alcohol to numb his pain.

From 2008 to 2013, Phil Collins drunk himself into oblivion.  Dana stood by his side through all of this, even though she lived in the US and he lived overseas in Europe.  His first stint in rehab lasted 1 week.  By late 2012, Phil had been in and out of the ICU many times.  His doctor explained that if he drank again, he would die.  His pancreas had become irreparably damaged.  In January 2013, Phil Collins is finally clean.]]> 2019-01-16 04:33:11 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321082266 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321084337 In March, 2014, BBC contacted Phil's manager and stated that they wanted to do a documentary on Genesis. During the filming, they had a very jovial time together. One thing Phil tells Peter (that he had never had the opportunity to communicate directly), "A lot of people have always thought that I tried to push you out so I could become the singer. I just want you to know that that was not the case." ]]> 2019-01-16 04:50:35 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321084337 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321085119 Dana was with Phil during all his years of alcoholism. This took quite a toll on their relationship.  Also, she had a gnawing feeling that Orianne and Phil were drawing closer together again.  Dana had expected to be married by this time.  In the end, Dana walked out on Phil.

In June, 2015, after his relationship with Dana ended, Orianne and Phil got back together again much to the joy of their children.]]> 2019-01-16 04:57:23 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321085119 khansof000 https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321086243 In 2016 , for the first time, at the US Open, Nic, Phil's son, played the drums for his dad.  After their performance of "In The Air Tonight", backstage, Phil stated he sat there soaking it all in, remembering the applause, thinking, "I've missed that." And, "yeah, Nic is really good.  Really, really good."]]> 2019-01-16 05:08:50 UTC https://padlet.com/khansof000/2gcctahjdz55/wish/321086243