Phil Collins

Full Name:

Philip David Charles Collins

Born:

January 30, 1951

Birthplace:

London, England

Quote:

"The world is in your hands, now use it."

Significant Facts About Phil Collins:

• 13 solo albums between 1981 and 2004 have produced sales of more than 155-million
• 30 hit singles, including more than half of the tracks from just one album, 1989's But Seriously
• Success as a singer and songwriter has come despite the fact that he doesn't read music and suffers from impaired hearing

Phil Collins' First Steps:

As soon as he received a toy drum for Christmas at the age of five, he knew how he wanted to spend the rest of his life. He became a member of the fledgling progressive rock group Genesis in 1970 after answering a classified ad.

He was Genesis' drummer and primary backup vocalist until 1975, when he became lead vocalist after Peter Gabriel left to pursue a solo career.

Second Career for Phil Collins:

He started releasing solo albums in 1981, while he was still a member of Genesis, and produced most of the rest of his solo albums in this dual role.

During the '80s he continued to work both solo and with Genesis, starred in a feature film, Buster, and, thanks to the time difference and a supersonic jet managed to perform at the 1985 Live Aid concerts in both London and Philadelphia.

Essential Phil Collins CD:

No Jacket Required
This 1985 album was his most successful, with worldwide sales of 32-million. It featured Sting and Peter Gabriel doing backup vocals, and contains four of his highest charting singles.