Phil Collins, la rivelazione in una intervista: “Non avevo mai ascoltato i Genesis. Sono diventato il batterista grazie a un tuffo in piscina”

Nel 1970, i Genesis si trovarono senza un batterista dopo l’uscita di John Mayhew, il terzo a lasciare la band dopo Jonathan Silver e Chris Stewart. Decisi a trovare un sostituto, organizzarono una serie di audizioni. Fu proprio in quell’occasione che avvenne l’incontro con Phil Collins. Lo ha raccontato lo stesso musicista inglese nel corso di un’intervista all’Ultimate Classic Rock Night. All’epoca, Collins era abituato a fare numerosi provini, quasi tutti senza successo. Ironia della sorte, quello con i Genesis fu probabilmente quello per cui si preparò di meno, eppure si rivelò decisivo. “Non avevo mai ascoltato i Genesis – ha ammesso – avevo solo sentito parlare di loro”.

Le audizioni si svolsero nella fattoria dei genitori di Peter Gabriel, in una splendida giornata di sole. I candidati erano numerosi e, mentre attendeva il suo turno, Collins notò la piscina della tenuta. Fu lo stesso Gabriel a suggerirgli di approfittarne per un tuffo. “Così mi sono fatto una nuotata – ha raccontato Phil – e nel frattempo ho ascoltato i pezzi che gli altri stavano suonando. Quando è arrivato il mio momento, ero sicuro di me: conoscevo già le canzoni e l’audizione andò alla grande. E così ho ottenuto il posto!”.

Quel giorno segnò una svolta per i Genesis. Lo stesso Peter Gabriel ha riconosciuto l’importanza dell’arrivo di Collins: “Qualcosa cambiò nettamente con lui nella band – ha spiegato – era un vero batterista, con una qualità che non credo di aver mai trovato nei suoi predecessori”.

Intanto, sul canale per batteristi Drumeo è stato pubblicato un documentario, della durata di circa due ore, interamente dedicato a Phil Collins. Al centro del film, intitolato “Phil Collins: Drummer First”, un’intervista registrata originariamente nel 2022, l’anno in cui – dopo una straordinaria carriera di 50 anni tra tournée e registrazioni – l’ex-batterista dei Genesis annunciò il suo ritiro dalle scene in seguito all’ultimo show della band a Londra.

The footage was shot at Château de l'Aile in Switzerland, Phil Collins's home, where he tells his son Nic – who took his place during the band's last Genesis live shows – many previously unheard details about his career and the gear he used.

From the groundbreaking work with Genesis to the pop hits of his solo career, the two Collins trace the story of one of the greatest drummers of all time. Along the way, countless fellow musicians share how Phil Collins's music influenced them, regardless of genre. From Chad Smith to Mike Portnoy, from Matt Cameron to Eloy Casagrande and Billy Cobham, many are on hand to explain Collins's impact on their music and creativity.

Watch the documentary "Phil Collins: Drummer First" below.

“I'm not a singer who plays a bit of drums; I'm more of a drummer who sings a bit” is the famous quote from Phil Collins, one that perfectly captures the essence of a man celebrated by millions as a pop legend.

The 73-year-old musician was also asked to sum up his life and career. "I'm not the biggest fan of Genesis," he admits. "There are things I like, things I'm proud of, but also things I like less." He quickly adds that he loved his time with the band, but reflects: "I've been playing drums since I was 5, there are things you enjoy listening back to and others less so."

For the first time in a documentary, Phil Collins takes us on a journey through his life and career from a drummer's perspective: from his earliest days behind the drum kit to his groundbreaking work with Genesis and his hugely successful solo career; from his time with jazz-fusion group Brand X to composing the score for Disney's "Tarzan", all the way to forming his own big band and passing the torch to his son Nic during his final tours with Genesis and as a solo artist. The documentary offers a rare, personal look at the life and legacy of a true drumming icon.

Below is the list of chapters the documentary is structured into:

00:00 – Introduction

02:36 – How Phil Became A Drummer

06:24 – Joining Genesis, Nursery Cryme & “The Musical Box”

11:29 – A Tale Of Two Stools & Early Drum Kits

14:41 – The Earliest Version Of Phil’s Famous Drum Fill

15:12 – Setting Up Phil’s Drum Kit & Tour Stories

19:57 – “Watcher Of The Skies” & “Supper’s Ready”

22:09 – Selling England By The Pound & Switching To Concert Toms

27:04 – The New Singer

31:25 – A Trick Of The Tail & Phil’s First Gig As Lead Singer

34:48 – Peter Gabriel Stage Stories

37:54 – Drum Duets & “Los Endos”

41:15 – A New Band: Brand X

44:39 – Almost Joining Yes & Hiring Bill Bruford

47:03 – The New Drummer: Chester Thompson

49:10 – “Wot Gorilla?” & “Follow You Follow Me”

51:39 - Phil's Least Favorite Genesis Song

52:39 – A New Era Of Genesis

54:34 - Led Zeppelin vs. Genesis: Melody Maker Awards

56:00 – The Face Value Demo

1:00:33 – The “In The Air Tonight” Live Catastrophe

1:02:02 – How To Play “In The Air Tonight” (The Correct Way)

1:02:54 – The Birth Of Gated Reverb

1:06:24 – Becoming A Music Icon

1:07:58 – “Behind The Lines”, “Take Me Home” & Drum Machines

1:12:12 – Simmons Drums, “Invisible Touch” & “Home By The Sea”

1:16:49 – Collaborations: Frida, Robert Plant, Eric Clapton & More

1:21:26 – "Easy Lover", "Sussudio" & "I Don't Care Anymore"

1:30:00 – Limitations Of Drum Equipment

1:32:17 – Phil Buys A Big Band!

1:35:52 – Jazz Heroes: Buddy Rich & Tony Williams

1:38:30 – Tarzan, Retirement & Injuries

1:45:49 – Nic Collins Carries The Torch

1:49:33 – Drum Secrets & The Father-Son Piano Duet

1:55:28 – Reflections On Nic Playing Drums

1:57:12 – Phil Looks Back On His 50-Year Career

1:58:45 – Final Reflections & End Credits

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