This 1969 Concept Album by Flaming Youth Was Phil Collins’ First Major Recording

Before Phil Collins was part of Genesis or a successful solo artist, he was the drummer for the short-lived 1960s band Flaming Youth. The band put out one concept album in 1969, titled Ark 2, which was partially inspired by the moon landing.

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The album was written and produced by the creative duo Ken Howard and Art Blaikley. A young Phil Collins contributed drums and vocals. Collins was only 18 when he started with Flaming Youth. In August 1970, he was working with Genesis after successfully auditioning to be their new drummer. Collins has since enjoyed a long and storied career as a vocalist, drummer, and overall artist. But he got his start on the little concept album that could, Ark 2.

Ark 2‘s lead single was “From Now On”. It also features tracks like “Weightless” and “In The Light Of Love”. There’s also an entire suite called “The Planets”, which includes seven parts and clocks in at 12 minutes 49 seconds. Each section is named after a different planet—Mars, Venus, Mercury, and so on—with a subtitle reminiscent of Holst’s famous composition The Planets. For example, Mars is called “The Bringer Of War”, Venus “The Bringer Of Peace”, and Mercury “The Winged Messenger”.

The Near-Forgotten 60s Band Flaming Youth Was Phil Collins’ First Home

“The Planets” by Flaming Youth may be similarly titled to Gustav Holst’s suite. But it couldn’t be further from that source material. Flaming Youth opens “The Planets” with what sounds like a rowdy pub tune for Mars before transitioning into a surf-rock style for Venus. Between each movement, however, there’s what seems to be the sound of strings, as if an orchestra is tuning up.

Phil Collins provided the vocals for “Jupiter – Bringer Of Jollity” and “Saturn – Bringer Of Old Age” along with his drumming contributions. These were Collins’ earliest recordings as a vocalist. His voice was already distinctive in a way that would become instantly recognizable during his time with Genesis.

When Ark 2 was released, it was met with a generally positive, if limited, response. It made a couple of Best Album lists in its time and was awarded unofficial superlatives as well. Melody Maker named it Pop Album of the Month, and Sunday Times allegedly called it Rock Album of the Year in 1969.

Ark 2 was relatively forgotten as a debut album and as a Phil Collins contribution, as Flaming Youth disbanded in 1970. However, the album’s legacy lives on in a 2023 reissue by French label Musea Records, making it available to a new generation. Additionally, the album was the inspiration for a BBC1 rock opera called Orion, which aired in 1977.

Featured Image by Ellen Poppinga – K & K/Redferns