One of music’s most iconic and celebrated figures, legendary British singer, songwriter, drummer, and producer Phil Collins has made an indelible mark on pop culture during his five-decade-long career, both as a member of Genesis and as a chart-topping solo artist. Long counted as one of the world’s all-time best-selling recording artists, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is also among its most decorated, with multiple GRAMMYS, Ivor Novellos, BRITs, and an Academy Award. But perhaps most impressive is his ability to reach so many fans – across borders and generations – with a string of hits that have become ingrained in the collective consciousness, including “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now),” “Sussudio,” “You’ll Be in My Heart,” and “In the Air Tonight,” which is not only one of the late 20th century’s most enduring songs, but features one of music’s most recognisable drum breakdowns.
The impact of Phil Collins’ nearly 50-year career is impossible to measure. As a drummer, he has long been ranked among the greatest in his craft by the likes of Modern Drummer and Rhythm. His musicianship has influenced a trove of peers, including the late Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters) and Neil Peart (Rush), as well as Anthrax’s Charlie Benante. As a singer-songwriter, his timeless work has been embraced by generations of fans (from Ice T and Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard to Alicia Keys and Lorde, to name a few) while his songs have been covered and sampled by scores of artists.