Phil Collins, the legendary drummer and frontman of Genesis, has revealed that he now requires 24-hour live-in nursing care to manage his mounting health problems. The 74-year-old musician made the disclosure during a recent television interview, describing a cascade of medical issues that have accumulated over the past two decades and forced him to retire from live performances.
"I have a 24 hour live-in nurse, um, to make sure I take my medication as I should do. Uh, I've had challenges with my knee – I had everything that could go wrong with me did go wrong with me." – Phil Collins
Collins spoke candidly about his health struggles during a BBC Two special called Phil Collins Eras: In Conversation, which concludes on January 26. In the interview, he painted a picture of compounding medical crises that have left him unable to perform at the level he once did.
Background
Collins' health troubles stretch back nearly two decades. In 2007, he suffered a serious spinal injury that caused severe nerve damage. A subsequent back surgery resulted in a condition called "drop foot," which significantly impaired his ability to walk. These early injuries set the stage for the cascade of problems that would follow in later years.
For much of his career, Collins maintained a rigorous touring schedule with Genesis and as a solo artist. The demands of performing and life on the road took their toll. He eventually stepped away from live performances after Genesis completed their final tour in 2022, bringing an end to one of rock music's most storied careers.
Key Details
The Recent Health Crisis
Collins' health situation deteriorated sharply in recent years. He underwent five separate knee surgeries, each one compounding the physical challenges he already faced. The situation worsened when he contracted COVID-19 while hospitalized. During that hospital stay, his kidney function began to fail, creating a perfect storm of medical complications.
"You know, I mean, I got COVID in hospital my kidneys started to back up, you know, everything that start, that could all seemed to sort of converge at the same time." – Phil Collins
The kidney damage stems largely from years of heavy drinking. Collins acknowledged that he consumed alcohol regularly throughout much of his life, particularly during breaks from touring. He explained that while he was not someone who drank all night, he drank during the day and consumed more than was healthy for his body.
The Road to Recovery
Recognizing the damage his lifestyle was causing, Collins made a significant change. He has now been sober for two years, a decision he made after realizing the extent of the harm he had caused to his health. He spent months in the hospital recovering from his various ailments and adjusting to life with severely limited mobility.
The combination of his spinal injury, knee problems, and kidney damage has left Collins unable to perform at the physical level required for live concerts. Walking remains difficult, and his overall mobility is severely restricted. This is why he now requires round-the-clock nursing care to manage his medications and assist with daily living.
Career Impact
Collins has not released an album of original material since 2002, when he put out the album Testify. His most recent studio project was a collection of Motown covers called Goin' Back, released in 2010. Despite his health challenges, he did manage to return to the stage as a solo performer from 2017 to 2019, with his son Nic Collins playing drums alongside him. He then reunited with Genesis for one final tour from 2021 to 2022 before stepping away completely.
What This Means
Collins' situation shows the physical toll that a lifetime in rock music can exact on a performer's body. The combination of touring stress, physical exertion, and personal lifestyle choices has left one of rock's greatest musicians unable to do what he loves most.
His openness about his struggles is notable in an industry where performers often keep such details private. By discussing his health challenges publicly, Collins is shedding light on issues that many aging musicians face but rarely discuss. The need for 24-hour care at age 74 reflects the severity of his condition.
For fans of Genesis and Collins' solo work, his retirement from performing marks the end of an era. The musician who defined the sound of progressive rock and pop in the 1980s and 1990s is now focused entirely on managing his health and maintaining quality of life. His journey serves as a reminder that even the most successful and talented performers are not immune to the physical consequences of aging and the demands of a career in entertainment.
