Seven years ago, former Genesis and solo rock star, drummer and vocalist Phil Collins was forced to quit music, He retired due to a myriad of health issues. His back was seriously jacked up, but there were other problems, too.
Back in 2000, it was reported that Phil had hearing loss in his left ear. In 2007 he dislocated a vertebra in his neck, which caused nerve damage to his hands, making it impossible to play the drums anymore. His back operations have left him with “drop foot,” so walking is difficult and somewhat dangerous. He now gets around with a cane slowly. And in the midst of his health woes, he settled into a heavy vodka drinking habit that hospitalized him.
Now, Phil is physically limited, but wants to play his music for his fans. During his South American mini tour a few months ago, he performed the shows sitting in a chair. (See videos of it below.) Reviews of his voice, though, were good. This October, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is doing a 15-city, mini North American tour called “Not Dead Yet, Alive.” He’ll play Chicago’s United Center on October 22.
The tour takes its name from his recent autobiography, “Not Dead Yet: The Memoir.” Phil will have his full band, horn section and back up singers with him on tour, plus his 16-year-old son, Nicolas, will play the drums in his place, which is pretty cool. Wish him all the best, and for your fans, you never know when the 67-year-old won’t be able to tour. His last North Amercan tour was a dozen years ago.
Doc Watson
