Phil Collins Offers Health Update in Rare Interview, Says “I’ve Used up My Air Miles”

With Phil Collins about to turn 74 in January, the famed musician first started his career in music during the 1960s. The following years brought a great deal of success as he produced singles like “In the Air Tonight” and “Another Day in Paradise.” He also recorded several studio albums, with his last, Going Back, released back in 2010. Helming tours and releasing music, Collins sold over 150 million albums thanks to his time as a solo artist and part of the rock band Genesis. Recently, Collins discussed his ongoing health issues and how he can’t play the drums.

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Back in 2022, Collins offered a glimpse into his life and his health issues. Although taking place over two years ago, the interview only now surfaced thanks to the new documentary Phil Collins: Drummer First. Revealing his struggles when it came to playing the drums, the musician explained how he wanted to step away from the instrument since he was unable to play them like he did before. “If I can’t do what I did as well as I did it, I’d rather relax and not do anything.”

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Phil Collins Needed Neck Surgery Due To Playing The Drums

Having produced an amazing career in the music industry, even Collins admitted his age is catching up to him. “If I wake up one day and I can hold a pair of drumsticks, then I’ll have a crack of it. But I just feel like I’ve used up my air miles. It’s still kind of sinking in a bit… I’ve spent all my life playing drums. To be suddenly not be able to do that is a shock.”

The new documentary even included Collins’ son Nic, who explained that the years of playing drums caused his father to undergo surgery. He recounted Collins needing a “big surgery on his neck that stemmed from all those years playing drums and bad posture.”

No matter his age, Collins remained an icon to fans, who commented on the documentary, writing, “Blimey, it was emotional watching this. Phil is a LEGEND. From the age of 14 he’s been an icon of mine and the soundtrack of my teens, youth and middle years. Thank you for everything!”

(Photo by David Wolff-Patrick/Redferns)