Phil Collins reveals in health update he’s been “very sick” and doesn’t want to make any new music
In a new interview, Phil Collins has conceded that his health struggles have stopped him from wanting to make new music.
During Genesis’ farewell tour in 2022, Collins’ son, Nic, deputised on the drums because his father could no longer play the instrument to the best of his abilities due to his health issues. However, Collins still performed as their frontman and was aided by a walking stick for the tour.
His health problems began in 2007 when he suffered a spinal injury while touring with Genesis. Despite undergoing surgery in 2009 and further surgery in 2017, Collins’ condition has worsened over the years.
Now, in the April edition of Mojo, Collins admitted: “I keep thinking I should go downstairs to the studio and see what happens. But I’m not hungry for it anymore. The thing is, I’ve been sick, I mean very sick.”
Collins’ close friend, Simon Napier Bell, stated last August that the musician was plotting a return to music. “He’s just had his studio revamped,” he said on Facebook, having visited Collins at his Lake Geneva home. He added, “For sure, before too long, we’re going to hear some new music.”
However, Collins’ latest comments refute Napier Bell’s suggestion that new music was incoming. The former Genesis frontman’s last album, Going Back, which largely consisted of covers, was released 15 years ago.
Meanwhile, in December, Collins opened up about his ongoing health struggles in a new documentary, claiming he’s “used up my air miles” as a performer.
“If I can’t do what I did as well as I did it, I’d rather relax and not do anything,” Collins said of his decision to no longer play the drums because he can no longer reach the standards that he set for himself.
Collins also admitted it has taken a toll on him to no longer be able to play the drums, adding, “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.”
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