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Phil Collins

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Phil Collins is an English drummer, singer and songwriter, born in West London in 1951. He began drumming at the age of five and worked as a child actor, playing the Artful Dodger in the West End production of Oliver!, among other roles. In 1970 he became the drummer of Genesis. When Peter Gabriel left in 1975, Collins took over the vocals, and under his leadership the group moved from progressive rock towards more accessible pop and rock. In addition, he played in the jazz fusion group Brand X from 1975 to 1979.

Music and breakthrough

His solo career began in 1981 with Face Value, an album shaped by his first failed marriage and his love of soul. Hello, I Must Be Going! followed in 1982, No Jacket Required in 1985 and ...But Seriously in 1989. Well-known singles include In the Air Tonight, Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now), Sussudio and Another Day in Paradise. He won an Oscar for the music of Tarzan from 1999. In 1996 he left Genesis, and in 2010 he was inducted with the group into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Influence

Collins is known for the gated reverb, a drum sound with a short, powerful reverb effect that could be heard everywhere in pop and rock in the 1980s. Rolling Stone ranks him among the hundred best drummers of all time. His work with Genesis, his solo records and his collaborations gave him more American top 40 hits in the 1980s than any other artist.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to In the Air Tonight and notice the moment when the drums come in. Try to hear how big and hard the drum sound is, above all because of the reverb effect.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Mentioned in other articles

See also

Categories: Artists