After spending many years at the forefront of global music, Phil Collins now faces a quieter and more demanding period marked by health struggles, introspection, and appreciation, and as he speaks openly about his situation, the musician provides a sincere perspective on endurance, responsibility, and the significance of a life molded by artistic expression.
Phil Collins, one of the most influential musicians to emerge from the United Kingdom, has spoken openly about the complex health issues that have marked his recent years. Now approaching his 75th birthday, the former Genesis frontman described a period in which multiple medical setbacks converged, fundamentally altering his day-to-day life. His remarks, shared during a conversation with British broadcaster Zoe Ball for the BBC podcast series Eras, reveal both the physical toll of these experiences and the emotional clarity that has followed.
Collins indicated that his condition now demands ongoing professional care, supported by a nurse who lives with him and provides assistance at all hours. This degree of supervision, he said, helps ensure that his medications are taken properly and that his mobility issues are handled safely. Although he can still walk, he does so with help, a circumstance shaped by years of knee troubles and multiple surgeries. Collins stated that he has had five procedures on his knee alone, each one gradually adding to the limitations he faces today.
A convergence of medical challenges
The musician characterized the past few years as a period in which multiple health complications emerged one after another, accelerating in severity. What initially appeared to be orthopedic troubles eventually developed into broader systemic issues. While in the hospital, Collins contracted Covid-19, an illness that placed additional stress on his already weakened condition. Around the same time, he also faced kidney difficulties that demanded prolonged medical care.
Reflecting on these complications, Collins acknowledged lifestyle factors that may have contributed to his condition. He spoke frankly about alcohol consumption, explaining that while he was never one for excessive late-night drinking, his daytime habits eventually took their toll. Over time, he said, these choices caught up with him, leading to months spent in hospital and a prolonged recovery process.
Although the weight of these experiences was substantial, Collins avoided dramatizing them or indulging in self-pity, portraying them instead as a succession of moments that built up over the years and highlighting how the physical strain of a lengthy career, paired with personal routines, can leave enduring effects. His narrative delivered an uncommon, candid glimpse from an artist whose public persona has long been linked to endurance, exactness, and self-mastery.
The physical cost of a lifetime in music
Long before these most recent hospital stays, Collins had already been contending with ailments tied to decades of performing, and the physical demands of his long career continued to take their toll. Celebrated as a singer and songwriter as well as an adept drummer, he spent years exposed to the intense strain caused by constant repetition and rigorous touring. A 2015 back operation became a pivotal moment, as complications from the surgery led to nerve damage that permanently limited his capacity to play the drums.
Subsequent injuries and a major fall in 2017 further curtailed his mobility, eventually leaving him dependent on a cane. By 2021, Collins openly acknowledged that he could no longer drum, a poignant admission considering how essential the instrument had been to his musical identity. During Genesis’ reunion tour, his son Nic Collins took over on drums, enabling his father to stay on stage as the vocalist while symbolically handing the rhythmic legacy to the next generation.
Collins’ final live performance took place in 2022, an event that now stands as the closing chapter of a remarkable onstage career. While he has expressed hope that he might regain greater mobility and overall health, he has also been realistic about the possibility that he may never perform live again. This uncertainty, he suggested, is something he has learned to live with rather than resist.
Reflecting on a remarkable career journey
Even as he discussed his health with candor, Collins repeatedly returned to a sense of appreciation for the life he has lived in music. He described his career as exceptionally varied, noting that it allowed him to explore multiple creative identities: drummer, frontman, solo artist, songwriter, and producer. From progressive rock with Genesis to chart-topping solo albums that defined an era of popular music, Collins’ influence spans decades and genres.
Rather than spotlighting awards or financial milestones, Collins underscored how meaningful the journey had been on its own, noting that few artists are afforded the chance to reinvent themselves as frequently as he did or to stay influential through so many shifts in the industry, a viewpoint that seemed to steady his reflections and bring perspective to the more serious aspects of his health.
The Eras podcast interview, the final installment of the series, was framed not as a farewell but as a thoughtful summation. A televised version of the conversation is set to air on the BBC shortly after his birthday, providing a wider audience with insight into both his professional legacy and his current state of mind.
Family, accountability and personal growth
Beyond music and health, Collins also addressed more personal themes, particularly his role as a father. Three times divorced, he is the parent of five children, including actress Lily Collins, widely known for her leading role in the Netflix series Emily in Paris. When asked what life has taught him, Collins spoke about accountability and the desire to make amends for moments when his actions may have caused pain.
He recognized a part of himself that still considers how his decisions shaped the lives of those closest to him, particularly his children. Yet this moment of self‑reflection came intertwined with a sense of pride. Collins portrayed his children as strong and well‑balanced, highlighting their self‑reliance and dedication to their own principles. Watching them carve out their individual journeys, he noted, has become one of the most fulfilling experiences of his life.
This reflection hinted at a change in priorities that typically accompanies growing older and gaining experience, and whereas success had previously been tied to album sales or packed arenas, Collins appeared increasingly devoted to his personal connections and to the qualities of those he helped influence.
Embracing change, strengthening resilience and continuing onward
Although uncertainty continues to shape Collins’ present circumstances, his outlook did not sink into hopelessness; rather, he communicated a calm acceptance and a guarded sense of optimism, voicing the belief that ongoing recovery could help him rebuild strength and maintain independence, even if stepping back onto the stage remains improbable.
This attitude conveys a larger message woven into his narrative: adaptation matters. Much as Collins reshaped his musical style over the course of his career, he now adjusts to his physical challenges with the same forthrightness and discipline that once guided his work ethic. Having continuous care, though a major change, has evolved into a routine centered on protection and overall well-being.
By openly recounting these experiences, Collins helps shape a more layered dialogue about aging, wellness, and legacy within the entertainment industry, reminding readers that even highly acclaimed careers carry private burdens and that embracing one’s fragility never lessens accomplishment but rather enriches an already meaningful legacy.
As Phil Collins moves through his mid-seventies, his reflections reveal an artist who has shifted from performing to quietly taking stock of his journey. This stage of life is defined less by ovations and more by sincerity, accountability, and a lasting gratitude for a life richly experienced both in the spotlight and in private.
