Yahoo Lifestyle Inside Phil Collins’ Health Struggles: Why the Music Legend Stepped Away From the Stage
Legendary drummer Phil Collins has had an illustrious, decades-long career after finding mainstream success with rock band Genesis, as well as his solo gig. Due to ongoing health issues, however, Collins has stepped away from the stage in recent years.
"If I can't do what I did as well as I did it, I'd rather relax and not do anything," Collins said in his Phil Collins: Dummer First documentary, which hit YouTube in December 2024. "If I wake up one day and I can hold a pair of drumsticks then I will have a crack at it. I just feel like I've used up my air miles."
Keep reading for what to know about Phil Collins' health over the years:
What health condition does Phil Collins have?
Collins lives with a few different health conditions, including mobility issues, hearing loss and foot drop, and has had multiple surgeries on his neck and back, as he suffered a spinal injury in 2007 that damaged his vertebrae and caused nerve damage.
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"In one of his feet, he has like no sensation, which is why he can't really play drums and why he has to walk with a cane, because he doesn't have that control that he used to anymore," Collins' son, Nic Collins, said of his dad living with foot drop, a condition that Mayo Clinic describes as an "underlying neurological, muscular or anatomical problem."
Does Phil Collins use a wheelchair?
According to some reports, Phil occasionally uses a wheelchair. He also appears to walk with a cane.
After playing his final farewell show with Genesis in March 2022—for which he performed seated while son Nic played the drums—bandmate Mike Rutherford gave an update on his longtime friend's health during an appearance on BBC Breakfast the following year.
"Phil is much more immobile than he used to be, which is a shame," he said. "But at the tour, he was in good spirits and he’s fine now at home, enjoying life. He’s worked so hard over the years, I think he’s enjoying his time at home."
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Phil's daughter, Emily in Paris star Lily Collins, also paid tribute to her dad after his final show at O2 Arena in London, posting a heartfelt statement via Instagram at the time.
"Tonite marks the end of an era. To have witnessed this last show was truly the memory of a lifetime and an event I shall hold in my heart forever," she wrote. "Endlessly grateful doesn’t begin to do it justice. So much love was left on that O2 stage and an even bigger amount shared between an audience who didn’t want it to end."
She added, "Thank you @genesis_band for the memories, thank you dad for being such an inspiration and thank you @nic_collins for making me the proudest sister there is. 50 years of songs later and still generations more to celebrate you long after this tour has finished…"
Why did Phil Collins go deaf?
Phil suddenly went deaf in one ear in 2000 after suffering a viral infection. After getting multiple opinions from doctors who said there was "nothing" they could do about his sudden hearing loss, the musician eventually regained most of his hearing.
What has Phil Collins said about his health?
The eight-time Grammy winner has talked about his health in recent years.
In his documentary, which was filmed in October 2022 and released just over two years later, the "In the Air Tonight" drummer candidly opened up about not being able to perform like he used to.
“It’s still kind of sinking in a bit,” Phil said. “I’ve spent all my life playing drums. To suddenly not be able to do that is a shock.”
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