I Appreciate You, Phil Collins
Poor Phil Collins. Not literally, as the guy is just rolling in it. But after 30+ years the guy still has a hard time getting respect from rock fans. I posted on Breaking Rock News today that Phil recently told a newspaper that he would be retiring from touring and recording. This information came from the NME, whose website is now full of people posting about how great it is that Phil will be “retiring”, saying how he’s never written a good song. Snobs everyone one of them, I say.
Now I’m not oblivious to the fact that Phil Collins has put out some schlock in his time. I never need to hear “Groovy Kind of Love” or “Against All Odds” again, and there’s no way his song from Tarzan should have beaten Aimee Mann’s “Save Me” at the Oscars, but Phil’s also the guy behind “In The Air Tonight”, “I Don’t Care Anymore”, “Take Me Home” and freakin’ “Sussudio”! And no, I’m not kidding about that last one.
And what about Phil’s time in Genesis, where he helped take a succesful prog rock band with Peter Gabriel as frontman and transform them into a stadium-playing, multi-platinum selling, chart topping group? You don’t do that by sucking. And then there’s the fact that he’s one of the greatest drummers in the history of rock. You can hate Phil Collins because he was so successful, but I don’t understand how some people can deny how good he was at what he did.
On that note, let’s check out the video to one of Phil’s excellent contributions to music (we’ll send this one out to Christian Bale). When you’re done, use the title for your weekend bonus code. Have a good one, and long live Phil Collins (preferably in Genesis, on a reunion tour with Gabriel and Hackett).
April 25th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I do not see anything wrong with Phil Collins. I do not know of one person
who hates him or his music. I hope there will be a reunion tour soon. I would like to go and see Genesis with Phil Collins. Never mind Phil what people say. I bet you will have two sold out shows if you come to Toronto.
I do not believe I am wrong. I love your music.
April 25th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
If Phil Collins has never written a good song, then I must be stupid. Why would I love his music so much. Wake up people.
April 25th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Hi Andrew: WOW!!! That brings back memories, I for one love Phil Collins. In the 70ies when I was a teenager listening to Genesis I loved them so much I was going to call my first born daughter “Genesis”. I had two son’s instead, so much for that idea. In your video, you have to laugh at the hairstyles back then. I guess I had one of them too. Poor Phil was a little challenged in that area and not able to do many freaky hairstyles. Gotta love him, he will truly be missed. Janice
April 25th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Phil Collins is a rock legend, forget what a bunch of non-educated retreads have to say about him. But then I guess only people with good taste like his music
April 25th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
You are right on about this Andrew. To my mind Face Value was a near perfect album. As for the mis-steps you listed, well the Beatles had Yellow Submarine and Octopusses Garden and the Rolling Stones…well pretty much everything after 1981…but you get the idea….
April 25th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Would never disrespect Phil Collins and what he has brought into the rock world..
Now for his show at the Toronto FC Stadium this past year..
Man….was I ever disappointed!
How does Genesis not play Abacab? Sorry, still smarting from that night! Grrr…
I have to say that this news doesn’t surprise me though..
Good Luck in your future endeavours Phil…
April 25th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Hi ANdrew,
First off, congrats on getting us an extra 50 points for your bonus code word, now 150 instead of 100 points!!
I LOVE PHIL AND GENISIS AND SEEN THEM BOTH IN CONCERT. Steve, how can you dislike him so much?
I went to a Robert Plant concert and Phil just happened to be the GUEST drummer for the show and I was 3rd row and when they announced Robert Plant I screamed and yelled “I LOVE YOU” and he heard me, leaned forward, looked right at me and said it back right to me (know it as I was sitting between my 2 guy friends that I went and they both elbowed me at the same time and yelled at me “did you see him say it too you?” and I said of course (my poor girlfriend was on the end and saw it too) and when Phil came out, I AGAIN screamed that I was so glad he was there and I loved him (hey, when you’re young, this happens) and he looked directly at me and blew me a kiss and then mouthed the words “Thanks A Lot”, again the elbows from the guys. I’ll never forget that night for as long as I live, what a GREAT SHOW. THe MIXTURE of music was awesome!!
Thanks for bringing this memory back for me Andrew and hope your weekend is a super one!!
April
April 25th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
P.S. Brendan.
Just read what you wrote about “Abacab” and I totally agree about that song, I ADORE it.
April 26th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Diddo to everything said except Brendan, Money talks & he has lots of it from his music. I love him & his music!
April 26th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Andrew 3rd degree Burns, what a great handle.
Nice choice of tunes Andrew. I heard/saw you make a comment about researching music the other day and I just smiled to myself, another youngin finding out just how good the music from the 60’s and 70’s truely is and will forever live on. You have a very enviable job there Andrew, just the history that youare getting to live through music must be fantastic way to make a living. I’m going on 50 in years but I don’t think I ever got past age 25 in heart.
Keep up the great work and enjoy the music I grew up with.
Paris bound Rick
April 27th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
April, I do not dislike Phil Collins. Maybe you read the blog wrong. This guy rocks. My wife and I would love to see him again.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:01 am
I love Phil and I appreciate your blog Andrew. I saw him with Genesis last September before I did the 60KM breast cancer walk and his music got me through the hard slumps in the pouring rain that weekend.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I am with you Andrew.
Even ths Tarzan I appreciated ’cause my son had it in our CD player (in the car) forever and now both my kids recognize him singing on any song. He has done alot for music and contributed alot to a variety of different generations. thanks Phil !
April 28th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Sorry Steve,
I read it too FAST!! My apologies!!
April