The renowned Genesis lead singer and drummer Phil Collins has enjoyed enormous success in the music business over his illustrious career.
Joining Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney as the only performers with over 100 million records sold through both solo and collaborative projects, he is one of three. Collins was exposed to music at a young age. He was born on January 30, 1951, in London, England, to parents who were artists.
The move that would define his sound came when he was five years old and received a homemade drum kit from his uncle. It included tambourines, triangles, cymbals, and miniature drums.
Key bands like The Shadows led the way as the English beat genre started to take shape. In addition to leading this movement, Collins would frequently perform at get-togethers thrown by his parents’ sailing club.
Collins was first exposed to rock and roll at the age of fourteen, when The Beatles motivated him to buy a record player and Please Please Me. He would put his drums in front of a mirror and turn up the record player’s volume so he wouldn’t have to look at what he was doing.
To learn how to read drum music, which was necessary if one wished to work in an orchestra pit or dance band, he decided to take drum lessons from a teacher. But Collins soon discovered that reading sheet music was not nearly as good as playing spontaneously.
In the 1970s, Collin’s life took an unexpected turn after he came upon an advertisement for Genesis’ drummer. Collins got in touch with them, and they were happy to have him on board, which launched his incredible musical career.
Many of the songs from The Beatles’ five albums went on to become timeless classics that we still love to this day. Due to a dearth of worthy contenders, Collins assumed the role of lead vocalist for the band quite quickly.
He took a while to get used to being a drummer as well as a voice, but he persisted and became one of the greatest musicians of our time.
As a solo artist and a member of the legendary band Genesis, Collins enjoyed enormous success in the music industry. Hits like “I Don’t Care Anymore,” “In The Air Tonight,” and “You Can’t Hurry Love” propelled him to the top of the music business.
After 25 years with Genesis, Collins made the decision to change directions in his career, concentrating on jazz ventures, movie soundtracks, and his solo endeavors. He said he hoped his old comrades would have a successful career, but when 2017 came around, he decided to go back on the road with them for their Last Domino tour.
Sadly, the pandemic forced a postponement of this tour, and shortly before it started, Phil spoke with BBC Breakfast, raising some concerns regarding his health. With Phil on vocals and Nicholas Collins on drums, the band plans to play live again despite this setback.
Nic is a fantastic drummer, but according to Tony Banks, he could add even more intensity to the already strong early Phil Collins tunes.
Speaking on his retirement from drumming, Phil remarked, “I’d like to, but I can scarcely grip a stick with this hand.” Despite the challenges that come with being physically limited, Phil has not allowed them to deter him from pursuing his love of music.
The storyteller, a man our age, spoke with a palpable sense of loss as he outlined his physical struggles. He bemoaned not being able to travel with his kid and hear about his travels.
He wasn’t sure if he wanted to carry on traveling because of his health. His remarks gave off a dejected vibe, as though he had accepted that he could no longer engage in some activities and that they were off-limits to him.
He felt pressured and faced with a difficult decision: stick on his current course or stop his travels. It dawned on him that either way, a physical constraint or a deliberate choice would force him to give up something he valued. He was troubled by this and felt as though he might miss out on a lot of opportunities in life as a result of this sudden change in his circumstances.
CHRISTOPHER REEVE WAS READY TO GIVE UP—THEN HIS WIFE SAID 8 LIFE-CHANGING WORDS
Christopher Reeve had a major accident that left him paralyzed. He felt very hopeless and thought about ending his life. But everything changed when his wife said some supportive and encouraging words to him.
Christopher Reeve was well-known for playing Clark Kent in the popular “Superman” movies. His role made him loved by fans all over the world.
Christopher Reeve met his future wife through their shared love for the performing arts. One night, while taking a break, he went to a cabaret show and was captivated by a performer named Dana Morosini.
Winning Dana Morosini’s heart took some effort, but Christopher Reeve eventually succeeded. The couple married in 1992 and welcomed their son, William Reeve, later that same year.
In 1995, Christopher’s life changed dramatically when he was paralyzed from the neck down after a horse-riding accident during a cross-country competition.
In a heartfelt interview in May 2001, six years after his accident, Christopher Reeve talked about how his life had changed. He found it hard to believe that six years had gone by, feeling like the time was both very long and very short.
Christopher shared that he sometimes had flashbacks to the day of the accident, even though he tried not to think about it. He described that day as “very hot, very humid, and very lethargic.”
The Emmy Award winner also remembered feeling that “things weren’t really in the groove” that day. He admitted that he wasn’t fully into the competition and had even thought about going sailing instead.
Over time, Christopher found it easier to accept what had happened. The thoughts about what he could have done differently slowly began to fade.
Although Christopher knew his injuries might feel heavier over time, he decided to keep moving forward and not let those thoughts control his future.
When asked about how the accident affected his family, Christopher explained that while he had faced many injuries before, he always managed to recover without lasting effects.
He admitted that he used to think, “I must not injure myself to avoid becoming incapacitated.” This time, he realized how deeply his injury affected his loved ones.
He felt very guilty and recognized the burden his condition placed on his wife and children. “It’s okay to make your own mess, as long as it doesn’t affect others,” he said. But this injury had clearly impacted those closest to him.
Christopher recalled always trying to avoid serious injuries that could leave him incapacitated. But this time, he understood how deeply his injury affected his loved ones.
He admitted feeling very guilty, recognizing the burden his condition placed on his wife and children. He reflected, “It’s okay to make your own mess, as long as it doesn’t affect others.” Unfortunately, his injuries had a significant impact on those closest to him.
Christopher wondered how his family would cope and adjust to his condition. He realized they couldn’t do the things they used to do before the accident.
He also worried about how he would support his family financially and felt especially sad for his two older children, Matthew and Alexandra, from his previous relationship. They were only 15 and 11 when he got injured.
When Christopher woke up in the hospital after the accident, he was filled with despair and even thought about ending his life. In a moment of deep vulnerability, he asked his wife, Dana, if she would let him go. Dana looked him in the eye and said, “‘But you’re still you, and I love you.’” Her words gave him hope and strength to keep going.
On Instagram, social media users had strong reactions to this story. One person commented, “That’s so heartbreaking but the strength she gave him has me in awe.” Another user praised Dana, saying, “That is an amazing woman,” while someone else simply stated, “What a sad story.”
Dana’s unwavering love and support became a crucial turning point for Christopher, motivating him to aim for walking again. Her powerful words also inspired the title of his book, “Still Me.” This deep support helped Christopher find reasons to continue despite his injury.
The author encouraged people not to give up, reminding them that breakthroughs can happen. He talked about how, after the initial shock and grief of an accident, people face a choice: to give in to despair or to use their resources to make a positive difference.
For Christopher, the choice was clear—he chose to fight against the physical and emotional challenges, driven by his competitive spirit and determination to overcome the effects of his condition.
Christopher shared that for three years after his accident, he never dreamed of being in a wheelchair. Each morning, it took him a few moments to adjust and remember that he couldn’t move his arms or legs.
Reality often took five to ten minutes to sink in. In his dreams, he still saw himself doing activities he once enjoyed—sailing, riding, traveling, and acting on stage. His mind held onto memories of when he was able-bodied.
Christopher emphasized that while he couldn’t represent all disabilities due to his limited knowledge, he was dedicated to raising awareness. He worked hard to secure a two-hour primetime TV special that highlighted spinal cord injuries and showcased disabled performers.
Through his foundation, Christopher directed 30 percent of the funds raised to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. He personally focused on research, therapies, and finding cures.
The actor acknowledged that, like any public figure, he was aware of differing opinions about his work. He believed everyone, including those with disabilities, had the right to focus their energy on their chosen goals, even if others disagreed with their approach.
Sadly, Christopher Reeve passed away in October 2004 from an infection. A year later, his wife Dana Reeve was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. She also passed away, two years later, in March 2006.
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