In an emotional moment captured for a new documentary, legendary musician Phil Collins recently sat behind his iconic Gretsch drum kit for the first time in over 10 years. The touching scene was filmed for "Phil Collins: Drummer First," a Drumeo documentary exploring Collins' remarkable journey as a drummer.
The former Genesis drummer and solo artist, known for hits like "In The Air Tonight," has battled serious health issues that forced him away from playing. A 2007 spinal injury left Collins with a condition called drop foot, making it difficult to control foot movements needed for drumming. Combined with chronic neck pain, these health challenges effectively ended his drumming career.
In the documentary, Collins' son Nic and Drumeo host Brandon Toews help set up the historic drum kit - the same one used during Genesis' 1992 "We Can't Dance" tour. Nic Collins, following in his father's footsteps, demonstrated the kit's capabilities by playing the famous drum fill from "In The Air Tonight."
The highlight came when Phil Collins himself approached the kit. Though brief, the moment carried deep meaning as he gave the drums a few gentle taps before stepping away with a characteristic chuckle, saying "That's enough of that."
During the session, Nic Collins provided insights into his father's past struggles, noting how the drum setup's positioning may have contributed to Phil's neck problems over the years.
While Collins can no longer play with his former intensity, this rare moment behind the kit offered fans a glimpse of the drummer who helped shape popular music for decades. The scene serves as a poignant reminder of both Collins' incredible legacy and the physical toll of his dedicated performances.
The documentary provides an intimate look at Collins' evolution from drumming prodigy to global superstar, while honestly addressing how health challenges have impacted his ability to continue playing the instrument that launched his career.