Love him or hate him, there's no denying that Phil Collins is one of the most recognizable names in popular music. Tracing his career back to his work as drummer in super prog-rock group Genesis with Peter Gabriel, Collins emerged to take the band in a decidedly pop direction before breaking out on his successful solo career. He has had Top 10 hit after Top 10 hit, starred in and composed scores for movies, and given hope to chubby, little English guys the world over.
We managed to catch up with Collins by phone recently, on the eve of his First Final Farewell Tour.
In interviews, you can often come across as dour and humorless. Personally, I find it endearing. What is the real you?
What is the real me? What does endearing mean?
That I like it. I kind of like the fact that you sort of take offense at some things and come across as straight-laced. You're not like this chubby, little English guy bouncing around the stage, being friendly to everybody.
Well, that's definitely me. The chubby, little English guy. That's what I do most of the time.
Do you ever talk with Peter Gabriel these days?
No, I've never actually met him.
So it sounds like, even with Genesis, he kept a distance from you, is what you're saying?
No, I'm saying I've never actually met him.
Wow, I can't believe he snubbed you like that for the four years you guys played together. Well, what's the deal with "Sussudio"? What does that mean?
I have no idea.
But it's your song, right? You came up with that word.
No, it isn't my song.
It's not? So, who wrote that?
I have no idea.
[
Despite protests, Collins is listed as the composer for "Sussudio"—Ed.]
Is that whole story about "In The Air Tonight" true? Where you watched someone else watch someone drown, sang the song to him in concert and he killed himself out of guilt?
I have heard a story about that. I've also asked people in the audience what they thought about that, but nobody's really given a really good answer. So, I'm not sure.
You're not sure you saw somebody drown?
No, I don't believe I ever saw anybody drown.
Ahh, but have you ever watched someone else watch someone drown?
No, I have not.
How do you explain your phenomenal success? I mean, you're at the point now where you even have tribute bands performing your material.
Well, we are a tribute band.
You're a tribute band?
We are a tribute band.
What are you a tribute band for?
Phil Collins and Genesis.
But you're Phil Collins and you're a tribute band for Phil Collins? Isn't that too post-modern for the audience?
No, no, no, I'm not Phil Collins.
You say you're not Phil Collins but you agree you're a chubby, little English guy?
Yes.
[
sarcastically]
Fine, Mr. Not-Phil-Collins, then, so what did you think of your portrayal on South Park? Have you seen that episode where they're making fun of you?
I can't remember if I've seen that one or not.
There's a line in there about you divorcing your wife by fax and marrying a 27-year-old? Did you think that was a cheap shot?
That sounds like it would be a cheap shot, yeah.
How did your ex-wife feel when you faxed her the divorce?
Again, it's not me. I'm not Phil Collins, so—
What about the implication in the same episode that people need to be on Ritalin to enjoy your music?
Ritalin? [
laughs in a balding, pudgy English sort of way] Don't really know about that one.
In your 1986 Playboy interview, you called Barry Manilow's work "gay little love songs." Do you still feel that way?
Well, that's not a bad thing, do you think?
I don't know. I guess there's nothing wrong with that.
That could be a nice compliment.
That's true, I hadn't thought about that.