Phil Collins explains why he can't play the drums due to health problems

Phil Collins He will always love playing the drums, but years of rocking and rolling have taken their toll on his hands.

“I've spent my whole life playing drums. And to suddenly not be able to do that is a shock,” Collins, 73, admitted. Phil Collins: Drummer first The documentary was released by Dromio on Wednesday, December 18.

The musician explained that after playing drums in concert with Genesis for five decades and on solo tours since the 1980s, it affected his hands and legs. The stress on his body led Collins to retire from playing drums in March 2022 after his last performance with his band Genesis.

“If I can't do what I did as well as I did, I'd rather relax and do nothing,” he said. “If I wake up one day and can hold a pair of drumsticks, I can.”

“I feel like I've used up my air miles,” Collins continued, noting that not being able to play “is still kind of sinking a little bit.”

The Oscar winner got his first plastic drum at the age of three, which was the start of it all. Two years later, Collins was playing music for his family. “It was something I could sit on, and I walked over to the TV,” he recalls.

Looking back at his career, Phil's son Nick Collins He said that his father was like many musicians of his time and did not think about what the drums would do to his muscles.

“Musicians and band members in general thought they were invincible,” Nick, 23, explained. “I think that's really the case with my dad, which is the feeling that you're a drummer, that you're invincible, that you do what you do. But you don't know that it's going to take a toll in the long run.”

In 2015, Phil underwent neck surgery “caused by all those years of drumming and bad posture,” according to Nick. Phil also suffers from foot drop, which is when there is no sensation in one of your feet. This illness led to the singer using a cane.

Before the Genesis reunion, Phil announced that Nick would be taking over as drummer for him due to his health. He remained as lead vocalist.

“I would love to, but you know, I mean I can barely hold a stick with this hand. So there are some physical things that get in the way,” Phil said. BBC Breakfast In September 2021. “I'm a bit physically challenged which is very frustrating because I would love to play out there with my son.”

Phil hinted at the time that the tour might be his last. “We're all men our age, and I think to some extent, we should probably put it aside,” he joked. “I think, yeah, I think in general just for me, I don't know if I want to get out on the road anymore.”

Phil joined Genesis in 1970 as drummer. The band consists of a bassist Mike Rutherfordkeyboard player Tony BanksGuitarist Steve Hackett And the singer Peter Gabriel. The group went on hiatus in 2000 but reunited in 2006 for Play it again for a spin.

Phil headed outside The last domino? a trip with Genesis in September 2021. His last show with the band took place in March 2022 with Nick on stage with him and his daughter. Lily Collins In the crowd.

“Tonight marks the end of an era. Watching this final show was truly a memory of a lifetime and an event that I will hold in my heart forever,” Lily, 35, said. he wrote via Instagram After the show in London.

She continued: “Endless gratitude does not begin to do justice. There was a lot of love left on the O2 stage and an even greater amount shared among the audience who didn't want it to end. Thank you @genesis_band for the memories, thank you Dad for being an inspiration and thank you @nic_collins for making me the proudest sister ever. 50 years of songs later and there are still more generations to celebrate you long after this tour is over…”

Phil shares son Simon, 48, and adopted daughter Joely, 52, with his first wife. Andrea BertorelliHe divorced her in 1980 after five years of marriage. Lily shares with Jill Tavelmanto whom he was married from 1984 to 1996. He also shares musicians Nick and son Matthew, 20, with his ex-wife Orian Sefi. The former couple was married from 1999 to 2008.