Introduction
At 74, Phil Collins Finally Reveals the Drummers Who Shaped Him the Most
Phil Collins has long been celebrated as one of the greatest drummers in modern music. From his explosive work with Genesis to his solo career filled with iconic rhythms, Collins has left a legacy few can match. Now, at 74, he has opened up in rare detail about the drummers who shaped his journey—not with resentment, but with admiration, competition, and the fire to keep pushing himself further.
Over the years, Collins has often joked about being “haunted” by the brilliance of other drummers. “It wasn’t hate,” he clarified in a recent conversation. “It was envy, respect, and the feeling that I had to work harder to even come close.” What began as friendly rivalry became the fuel for his creativity.
So, who were the drummers that pushed Collins the hardest?
1. John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)
Collins never shied away from calling Bonham “the ultimate rock drummer.” He admitted that hearing Bonham’s thunderous style often left him questioning his own playing. “Every time I listened to When the Levee Breaks, I thought: that’s it—that’s how drums should sound.”
2. Buddy Rich
As a teenager, Collins was enthralled by jazz legend Buddy Rich. “I could never play like him,” he laughed, “but I spent hours trying.” Rich’s blistering speed and precision often made Collins feel like he was chasing an unreachable standard, yet it gave him the drive to refine his technique.
3. Ringo Starr (The Beatles)
While many underestimated Ringo’s contribution, Collins didn’t. “His simplicity was deceptive. He made drumming look easy, but it wasn’t. I used to think, why can’t I sound that natural?” Ringo’s feel for the song rather than technical flash left a lasting mark on Collins’s style.
4. Ginger Baker (Cream)
Known for his fiery temperament and jazz-inspired rock drumming, Baker was another source of frustration and fascination for Collins. “He was wild but disciplined at the same time. I hated how good he was, because it meant I had to dig deeper.”
5. Charlie Watts (The Rolling Stones)
Collins often spoke about Watts’s understated brilliance. “He was never showy, but that was the genius of it. I’d sit there thinking, how does he make it groove so effortlessly?” Watts reminded him that drumming was as much about restraint as it was about power.
6. Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson)
Perhaps closest to home, Bruford represented the progressive rock world Collins inhabited. “Bill was daring. He’d take risks that I wouldn’t. That always pushed me to step outside my comfort zone.”
Reflecting on these names, Collins smiled. “Did I hate them? No. I hated how much I loved what they could do. They all pushed me to be better. Without them, I wouldn’t be the drummer—or the musician—I became.”
At 74, Phil Collins’s confession is less about rivalry and more about gratitude. The very drummers he once “hated” for their brilliance were the same ones who made him great. And for fans, that honesty only reaffirms why Collins remains one of the most admired musicians in history.