Introduction
Why People Think Phil Collins Dislikes Paul McCartney
In a 2016 interview with The Sunday Times, Phil Collins shared a story that sparked headlines and speculation about bad blood between him and Paul McCartney. According to Collins, the incident happened years earlier at a charity event where he had brought along a copy of The Beatles biography Hunter Davies: The Beatles and hoped to get it signed by McCartney.
“McCartney came up with [his then-wife] Heather Mills, and I said, ‘Hey Paul, do you mind signing this for me?’ And he said, ‘Oh, Heather, our little Phil’s a Beatles fan,’ as if I were a little boy. I was hurt,” Collins recalled.
Collins described the moment as patronizing and said it left a lasting impression on him. He admitted in the interview that it made him lose respect for McCartney, calling him “a bit of a condescending prick.”
Was It Hatred or Honest Frustration?
Despite the strong words, Collins never said he hated McCartney. Instead, he was expressing frustration over what he perceived as arrogance. Collins clarified in later interviews that he still admired McCartney as a musician and that he didn’t hold a grudge, but the moment had soured his personal view.
In a follow-up interview with Rolling Stone, Collins said:
“I didn’t mean to say it in a bitchy way. I just told the story, and it wasn’t meant to be slanderous. I have tremendous respect for Paul. But I was just honest about how I felt at the time.”
McCartney’s Response?
While McCartney never made a formal public statement about the story, it was reported that he reached out to Collins after the comments made headlines. Collins jokingly mentioned that McCartney sent him an email trying to smooth things over, saying something like, “Let’s get this sorted out, I’m not that guy.”
Two Icons, One Awkward Moment
Ultimately, the story isn’t about “vehement hatred,” but rather a moment of awkwardness and bruised ego between two major figures in music. Phil Collins has always been known for his emotional honesty, and he didn’t hesitate to share how he felt in the moment—even if it meant stirring a bit of controversy.