Multi-platinum musician Phil Collins can tell you that timing is everything when it comes to playing the drums, and it looks like Edward Walson of Mahanoy City, PA will soon get the chance to find out.

Walson certainly had the timing down when he became the $30,000 high-bidder for a signed Collins drum kit at the benefit auction portion of last night's 2002 Spirit of Life Award dinner, in support of the world-renowned City of Hope Medical Center. The fete, held at Manhattan's Cipriani on 42nd Street, brought together the worlds of music, fashion, and publishing to honor both Collins and Conde Nast President/CEO Steve Florio. The auction was emceed by the ever-ebullient fashion guru Isaac Mizrahi, whose skills as auctioneer even had Collins himself bidding (and winning) on one of the prizes -- a "Conde Nast Man's Experience." The event, which was hosted by television personality Mark McEwen, was capped off in grand style by an ovation-gathering private concert by Collins and his band. Collins's first solo album in six years, "TESTIFY," was released this week by Atlantic Records.