Phil Collins’ ascent to be one of the most successful singers from the ’80s and beyond was as much of a surprise to him as it was to many others. Collins was almost 30 when his first solo single, “In the Air Tonight,” became a number two hit in his native UK. Between 1984 and 1990, Collins had a string of 13 straight US Top Ten hits. He got his first break in music when he was chosen to be a replacement drummer in the band Genesis in 1970. Genesis was fronted by singer Peter Gabriel. They had achieved success in with elaborate concept albums – before Gabriel abruptly left in 1974. Genesis auditioned 400 singers, then decided to let Collins have a go. The result was a simplifying of Genesis’ sound and an increasing focus on Collins’ voice. And Then There Were Three. . . went gold in 1978, and Duke was even more successful. Collins released his debut solo album, Face Value, in 1981, which turned out to be a bigger hit than any Genesis album. During the ’80s, Collins balanced his solo work with Genesis with enormous success. In 1995, however, he left Genesis permanently. The following year, he released Dance Into the Light and in 1999, Collins made his first big-band record, Hot Night in Paris. Collins performed the soundtrack to the animated film Tarzan and won an Academy Award for “You’ll Be in My Heart,”which he performed at that year’s telecast, as well as during the Super Bowl halftime show. In 2006, Disney’s Tarzan was adapted for Broadway. Collins contributed 11 new songs. Phil Collins continues to rock and perform all over the world. Beloved!
