In a rare and deeply personal interview, music icon Phil Collins has spoken openly about facing a "difficult, frustrating few years" due to significant health challenges and his journey to sobriety. The legendary musician, who will celebrate his 75th birthday on 30 January, sat down with presenter Zoe Ball for the BBC's Eras podcast, offering a candid glimpse into his life away from the stage.
A Life Altered by Injury and Health Setbacks
Collins, the former frontman of Genesis and a hugely successful solo artist, detailed the lasting impact of a serious spinal injury he sustained in 2007. The incident damaged vertebrae in his upper neck and caused permanent nerve damage, which he said left him unable to "barely hold a drumstick". This injury contributed to his decision to play his final live concert in 2022, marking the end of an era for the performer who began playing drums at just five years old.
Multiple Surgeries and Ongoing Care
The musician revealed he has undergone five separate surgeries on his knee, describing a lengthy process of rehabilitation. "I've had challenges with my knee... I had everything that could go wrong with me, did go wrong with me," he told Ball. He now has a knee that functions, allowing him to walk with the assistance of crutches. Collins also disclosed that he requires a 24-hour live-in nurse to ensure he takes his medication correctly, indicating the ongoing nature of his health management.
Embracing Sobriety After Hospitalisation
A significant portion of the conversation focused on Collins's relationship with alcohol and his recent commitment to sobriety. He admitted that after coming off tour, he began drinking during the day, "probably been drinking too much", which ultimately affected his kidneys. This period led to multiple hospital stays. "I spent months in hospital," he recalled. Collins has now celebrated two years of sobriety, a milestone his assistant recently pointed out to him.
Reflecting on a Career and Family Life
During the interview, Collins reflected on the shock of being unable to play the drums, an activity that defined much of his life. He was filmed visiting his drum kit for a 2024 documentary, an emotional moment where he noted, "It's still kind of sinking in." He expressed pride in his five children from three marriages, who have all pursued their own paths in music, acting, and sports. "My kids are amazingly well-adjusted," he said, acknowledging the complexities of family life in the spotlight.
Addressing Rumours and Looking Forward
The interview also touched on rumours from July last year that falsely claimed Collins was in hospice care. His representative clarified at the time that he was actually in hospital recovering from his latest knee surgery. Looking ahead, Collins expressed a desire to return to the studio to "have a fiddle about and see if there's more music", though he remains realistic about his physical capabilities.
Presenter Zoe Ball, a lifelong fan, described the conversation as a "special, intimate conversation about music, family and everything in between." The interview serves as the fifth and final episode of the new series of the BBC Eras podcast, providing fans with a poignant update on the life of one of music's most enduring figures.
