Born: 30-Jan–1951
Birthplace: London, England
Gender: Male
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Singer/Songwriter, Drummer
Nationality: England
Notable: Lead singer of Genesis
Official Website: http://www.philcollins.co.uk/
Philip David Charles “Phil” Collins, LVO (born 30 January 1951) is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis, Brand X, a solo artist, producer (Eric Clapton, John Martyn, Adam Ant, Howard Jones, Frida, Robert Plant etc.), author and session musician.
Wife: Andrea Bertorelli (m. 1976, div. 1980, one daughter, one son)
Daughter: Joely Collins (b. 8-Aug-1972, adopted by Collins)
Son: Simon (b. 14-Sep-1976)
Wife: Jill Tavelman (m. 1984, div. 1996, one daughter)
Daughter: Lily Collins [Pictured] (actress, b. 18-Mar-1990)
Wife: Orianne Cevey (m. 1999, separated 2006, two sons)
Son: Nicholas (b. 21-Apr-2001)
Son: Matthew (b. 1-Dec-2004)
Girlfriend: Dana Tyler (CBS news presenter, together since 2007)
Genesis Drummer/Vocalist (1970-91)
Brand X Drummer (1974-77 and 1979-82)
Songwriters Hall of Fame
Endorsement of Anheuser-Busch Michelob Miracle Tour (1987)
Risk Factors: Depression
FILMOGRAPHY AS ACTOR
The Jungle Book 2 (5-Feb-2003) [VOICE]
Balto (22-Dec-1995) [VOICE]
Frauds (16-Sep-1993)
And the Band Played On (11-Sep-1993)
It’s the Monty Python Story (1993) · Himself
Hook (11-Dec-1991)
Buster (3-Nov-1988) · Buster
Live Aid (13-Jul-1985) · Himself
The Secret Policeman’s Other Ball (21-May-1982) · Himself
Collins sang the lead vocals on several chart hits in the United Kingdom and the United States between 1975 and 2010, either as a solo artist or with Genesis. His singles, sometimes dealing with lost love, ranged from the drum-heavy “In the Air Tonight”, dance pop of “Sussudio”, piano-driven “Against All Odds”, to the political statements of “Another Day in Paradise”.
Collins’ professional music career began as a drummer, first with Flaming Youth and then more famously with Genesis. In Genesis, Collins originally supplied backing vocals for front man Peter Gabriel, singing lead on only two songs: “For Absent Friends” from 1971’s Nursery Cryme album and “More Fool Me” from Selling England by the Pound, which was released in 1973. Following Gabriel’s departure in 1975, Collins became the group’s lead singer.
His solo career, heavily influenced by his personal life, brought both him and Genesis commercial success. According to Atlantic Records, Collins’ total worldwide sales as a solo artist, as of 2000, were 150 million. Collins has won numerous music awards throughout his career, including seven Grammy Awards, five Brit Awards—winning Best British Male three times, an Academy Award, and two Golden Globes for his solo work. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010.
Collins is one of only three recording artists (along with Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson) who have sold over 100 million albums worldwide both as solo artists and (separately) as principal members of a band. When his work with Genesis, his work with other artists, as well as his solo career is totalled, Collins had more top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart during the 1980s than any other artist. In 2008, Collins was ranked the 22nd most successful artist on the “The Billboard Hot 100 Top All-Time Artists”
In October 2009, it was reported that Collins was to record a Motown covers album. He told a German newspaper, “I want the songs to sound exactly like the originals”, and that the album would feature up to 30 songs. In January 2010, Chester Thompson said that the album had been completed and would be released some time soon. He also revealed that Collins managed to play the drums on the album despite the adverse effects of his recent spinal operation. It was the first solo album Collins had recorded which consisted entirely of songs written by other people.
Going Back was released on 13 September 2010, entering the UK charts at number 4, rising to number one the following week. In early summer 2010, Collins played six concerts entirely dedicated to the music from Going Back. These included a special programme, Phil Collins: One Night Only, which was broadcast on ITV1 on 18 September 2010.
As of January 2011, Collins has spent 1,730 weeks in German music charts – 766 weeks of them with Genesis albums and singles and 964 weeks with solo releases.
Citing health problems and other concerns, Collins announced on 4 March 2011 that he was taking time off from his career, prompting widespread reports of his retirement. Days later, on 7 March, his UK representative told the press, “He is not, has no intention of, retiring.” However, later that day, Collins posted a message to his fans on his own website, confirming his intention to retire in order to focus on his family life.
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