Music legend Phil Collins is to retire from the music business. The former drummer, turned lead singer for Genesis, solo superstar and producer extraordinaire says it is time to quit.
57-year-old Collins told The Times that he has no more plans to record or perform in the future.In fact, he was in a state of self-imposed retirement when his Genesis band mates coaxed him out of the house for a reunion tour last year.
Collins current favourite past time is collecting memorabilia from the Battle of the Alamo.
Collins has had an amazing career spanning more than 40 years. Few know that Phil got his first break with thanks to The Beatles. As a 13 year old, he was an extra in the movie A Hard Day's Night.
Maybe that is where the love of acting started. Years later, he would star in the movie Buster and supply a voice for the movie 'The Jungle Book 2'. Let's not forget the countless soundtracks that he composed for movies like 'Against All Odds', 'White Knights', 'Tarzan' and 'Buster'.
Collins joined Genesis as the drummer in 1971 but in 1975, after the departure of Peter Gabriel, he took up lead vocals. The result ... the band's first hit song 'Follow You Follow Me'.
At the peak of Genesis' commercial success, Collins launched a sideline solo career. The resulting album was bigger than he ever imagined. 'Face Value' featured the song that went on to become his signature tune, 'In The Air Tonight'.
Phil Collins was unstoppable in the 80s. When he turned to production, he made a solo hit for Abba's Frida with 'I Know There's Something Going On'. The song had his template drum sound and became her only solo global hit.
Collins last solo album was 'Testify' in 2002'. Last year, Genesis released a live album from their 2007 tour.
So has Phil Collins really, really retired? He claims he will still write because he can't stop that. Somehow I don't think this story really has ended.
