What’s wrong Phil?
In 1985 when ’Sussudio’ was released I was only 11 years old. Even though I was very young, it did change my life – and gave me a lifelong dream. Since then my interest for music was wrapped around the work of Phil Collins.
Luckily in those days he took up a lot of space in the news, the tabloids and of course in the radio and record shops. So every week I turned the pages of my favorite music magazine and gave a sigh of relief when they included him or Genesis.
I became a journalist at a big tv_station. Somehow the desire to sit down and ask Mr. Collins just about everything was all of a sudden more realistic than ever. So over the years I met a lot of famous people … but unfortunately never my big idol.
Today I can’t help but wonder if my hero is okay?
All of a sudden he started looking like he didn’t care anymore. Not shaving, losing weight and always dressed in all dark and loose trainingoutfits. I guess, I expected him to shape up eventually after his divorce … like most do. Now I wonder if he ever will be the man, who changed my life, again?
Big hopes – and I’m sure very unrealistic. Cause people do change. I’ve changed since only 11 years old - and again and again. At 35 years life seems never ending and still filled with dangers and constant worries.
I get a little bit sad; when I hear Phil express that ‘The Phil’ we once knew will never be back. It’s almost like someone close to you died while you were out. I miss my big hero and I will never find anyone like him again.
And Phil if you read this … the interview can still be arranged :-)
COMMENTS
Similar feelings here, my
Similar feelings here, my friend. Our hero has been hurt and it's hard to watch him prepare what he claims is his swan song.
He's a grown man and welcome to do as he pleases, but its hard to watch him do all of this without that sparkle in his eye and that real smile of his. The one where you can't help but return it even watching a video recording.
He's got multiple generations of fans who want him to stay with us in any way he can manage, but I guess the good times are all past us. We do have some damn good memories at least.
Motown was his childhood soundtrack, I wish he realized that he's been the same for us.
It doesnt have to be over yet.
PS - Maiken - I really hope you get your interview one day soon :)
I'm just a bit
I'm just a bit confused....
Phil was not shaving and wearing track suites before during and after the Turn it on Again Tour 2007. But who really cares? The man is almost 60 years old, has enough money to live comfortably and no need to continue the grind of album making, full touring, etc. He wants the quiet life he didn't have for 40 years while in genesis and on his own. Can you blame him? three marriages all broken up by music. He wants to be a dad and thats that.
As for the enjoyment factor that is said to be lacking, I didn;t see that at the Roseland Ballroom. I saw a very happy to be there energetic guy who was glad to be in front of fans, laughing with us, making jokes, etc. You could tell that in some respects his hands didn't have the mobility that you and I may have, but he was happy to be there.
I think Phil very much realizes how big the fan base he and Genesis still has. The difference is he doesn't feel the need to continue to "feed the fire". 2004 was his farewell tour for himself and 2007 was the same for Genesis. We will never see that again. I prefer the memories...Two great tours that had Phil and the boys in their prime doing what they love.
Phil has decided to be a Dad, plain and simple. He wants to make sure his two boys know who he is. I don't think he had that with Lily and Simon and I think there is a lot of guilt in Phil's mind about that. He doesn't want to repeat the past again. If he is happy getting up at 7 int he morning to take the boys to school, who are we to judge?
I dont think ANYONE would
I dont think ANYONE would ever demand Phil to put his children on the backburner for anything, let alone keeping fans happy. Does anyone here really think we're THAT imporant? His kids make him happy and he's realized the joys that go with being in his kids lives. That isn't being argued. He has said that he was more there for Lily than for Simon and Joely and was able to be more of a day to day father to Lily than his eldest children. Being there for his children is not a new revelation for him. He's said repeatedly that he doesnt need the money, can't argue that one either. (and if he needs someone to hold a few mill, I've got a piggy bank in need of some coins. I take pennies.)
I wasn't referring to the size of the fan-base when I mentioned influence. I was inferring "legacy." The aspect of Phil's career that the critics seem to ignore when they go for his creative jugular. Phil keeps repeating in interviews how he gets trashed no matter what he releases and it's worn him down to not wanting to release anything. How long do you think you could handle being written off no matter what you produced and being judged on things that are either shallow or misrepresentations? He's made it 40 years without breaking a drumstick up some 22 year-old jounalism major's ass who repeated the same question for billionth time (usually Peter related). That's another thing I admire about the man: Class.
Can't blame music for causing the downfall of his marriages. His first marriage, indirect possibly. His second and third? Read Chapter and Verse for why his second marrage died. Yeah he put it in print. His third, well, he claims that even he doesnt know why it died so how could anyone put the blame on music? Especially if music is what got him through the breakups of those relationships.
He's a grown man and he's been a grown man for some time now (looking good at almost 60) who's had some time on his own to think about his actions and his inactions. It seems he's in a self-flagellating state of mind according to his latest round of interviews and media appearances. Those works he's using to beat himself up over were enjoyed by large population and still mean something to them, even if it doesnt seem to mean as much to him.
You're lucky you were able to see him in the Coming Back promo appearances. I wish I could have seen him just once in person, but sadly all I have are youtube videos of various nights including the Roseland and a few videos hosted elsewhere. Random as they may be, he was rarely smiling or showing anyting but awkward body language beyond just his han's impairment. I would love to see anything you were able to catch that showed other wise.