Introduction
Phil Collins Admits: “I’m Terrible at Retirement”
London, UK — For most people, retirement is a chance to slow down, enjoy family, and step away from the demands of work. But for Phil Collins, one of the most celebrated musicians of the past half-century, retirement has never been quite so simple. In a candid conversation, the legendary drummer, singer, and songwriter admitted what fans have long suspected: he’s simply not very good at staying retired.
“I’ve tried it more than once,” Collins joked. “But the truth is, I’m terrible at retirement. Music has been my life for so long that stepping away completely never really worked.”
It’s a confession that rings true when looking back at his career. Collins first announced his retirement in 2011 after years of health struggles, including spinal injuries that left him unable to play the drums in his usual explosive style. Fans around the world were heartbroken, believing they had seen the last of him on stage. Yet only a few years later, Collins surprised everyone with his “Not Dead Yet” tour, a cheeky nod to his refusal to fade quietly into the background.
Those shows, which ran from 2017 to 2019, drew enormous crowds across Europe and North America. Though he performed seated and leaned heavily on his band to bring the songs to life, Collins’s unmistakable voice and stage presence reminded audiences why he remains one of the greatest performers of his generation. From In the Air Tonight to Against All Odds, the concerts were less about technical perfection and more about emotional connection—something Collins has always delivered in abundance.
His most recent return came with Genesis’s The Last Domino? Tour in 2021 and 2022. Sharing the stage with longtime bandmates Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford, Collins gave fans one final chance to relive the magic of Genesis classics. It was bittersweet—his health challenges were clear, but so was his determination to give everything he had left. Many critics described the tour as a farewell worthy of Genesis’s immense legacy.
So why does retirement never seem to stick? Collins admits it comes down to passion. “When you’ve spent your whole life creating, touring, and being part of something bigger than yourself, it’s hard to just stop,” he explained. “The stage is part of who I am. Even when my body tells me to slow down, my heart still wants to perform.”
Still, Collins acknowledges that the pace has changed. These days, he spends most of his time with family, especially his children, and enjoys quieter pursuits. Yet he doesn’t rule out the occasional project—whether it’s mentoring, writing, or even the possibility of recording. “I may not be touring stadiums anymore, but I’ll always find ways to be involved in music,” he said.
For fans, Collins’s admission is no surprise. His music has been a constant in their lives, and the idea of him fully retiring never quite felt real. If anything, his honesty only reinforces what people love about him: Phil Collins may slow down, but he’ll never truly stop.