A winner of seven Grammys and an Academy Award–and a proud one-time nominee for a Cable Ace award–Phil Collins has announced he is leaving the music business.
According to an account in the U.K. publication The Press Association, "Health problems such as hearing difficulties, a dislocated vertebra and nerve damage in his hands, brought on by years of hunching behind a drum kit, have helped make his decision. Father-of-two Phil told FHM: ‘I’m not worried about not being able to play the drums again, I’m more worried about being able to cut a loaf of bread safely or building things for my kids. My doctors tell me it’s a work in progress, that it will take about a year for me to recover.’
Collins rose to fame with the band Genesis and had a successful solo career as well.
The Press Association said it confirmed that Collins, who lives in Switzerland with his two sons, is retiring.
The report added: "The songwriter also claims listeners have grown ‘sick’ of him and that there isn’t a place for him in the current music scene. ‘I look at the MTV Music Awards and I think: ‘I can’t be in the same business as this’. I don’t really belong to that world and I don’t think anyone’s going to miss me. I’m much happier just to write myself out of the script entirely,’ he continued."
Phil has always been one on my favorite artists, so I will miss him. Many of us who were raised during the 60s, 70s, and 80s with rock and roll, have trouble relating to the newer popular music. But Phil should be focused on himself and his family. He gave us alot of great music.
Rock & Roll is dead and Collins is just wise enough to get out while on top form. I mean MUST we suffer from another Geezer musician putting out irrevelant trash like Sir Macca or the (Tomb) Stones?
I pumped my fist in the air when Andy Rooney whined he didn’t recognized anyone on the charts today…DITTO!!! hAll you have today is RAP, R&B acts, Blue Eyed Soul and ‘Entertainers’ backfilled by Geezer Acts. I just paid $36,000.00 for an Audiophile music rig and there is no new content for it. My latest download is from 1991?!!! How Sad indeed!!!
Rock is Dead and Collins got out early—good for him!!!