Phil Collins turns 75 today – Happy Birthday!

Today, Phil Collins celebrates his 75th birthday. We congratulate him and venture a look ahead.

Phil Collins has been retired since the end of Genesis's The Last Domino? Tour. After many years of health problems, his departure from the music business was a logical step. Phil Collins is now 75 years old. And even more than six years after the end of his Not Dead Yet Tour, the tour motto still seems to fit. Phil Collins is toying with the idea of returning to the music business. What happened?

At the end of 2025, he gave an interview to the BBC, which is now available as a podcast and will also be shown on television tomorrow evening. In this interview, he takes stock of his career and his health problems. According to the interview, he has not drunk any alcohol for two years after consuming it 'during the day' caused him problems with his kidneys. Also, he has had several knee operations and has a medical assistant who accompanies him 24 hours a day.

Nevertheless, he made a much fresher impression in the interview than in interviews in recent years. Thanks to the knee operations, he can now walk again – he is mobile, even if he still needs support. And he speaks openly about his passion for playing live. He says he can do it physically, but the whole rigmarole is a bit too much for him. Because once the machine has been set in motion, you can't just cancel it again.

He also speaks openly about whether we can expect new music from him. 'Sometimes I think – that's it, done that,' says Phil. And: "But I could do it again and I can see it on my horizon. I have a few unfinished songs and also a few finished songs.' Until recently, new music was unthinkable. 'There's life in the old dog," he said mischievously at the end of the interview.

So what can we expect?

First of all, he is clearly feeling much better and seems to be more mobile than he was a few years ago. And it's quite obvious that the desire to make and record music is still there. At the same time, he seems to be primarily concerned with his own well-being. So, if he keeps feeling well, then it seems possible that he will make new music again. Incidentally, Phil released his last self-written song (I Can Change) 20 years ago – but only as part of a film (see Recording Compendium).

Live performances also seem more likely than years ago, but we shouldn't hold our breath. A tour seems unlikely.

In any case, none of this was to be expected. So we are happy that he is doing better – Happy Birthday, Phil!

Photo by Vero Pelletier

You can leave comments in our forum in the Happy Birthday Phil Thread.

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