Phil Collins

[Guest rohale]

End of the road for one of the most remarkable success stories in pop music of the last twenty years. Phil Collins has embarked on what will be one of his only and final farewell tour and giving his fans one last chance to see him live. In a way a sly dig at people like Cher and the Who who just wont lie down. In a way all this brings Mr Collins career full circle. The bald, diminutive, affable Londoner who went from drumming for art-rock outfit Genesis to unexpectedly fronting after original vocalist Peter Gabriel departed - and who not long after that skyrocketed into a solo career that made the world's most unlikely MTV-exalted pop star - now wishes to resume a lower-key, behind the scenes role.

 

His next big step is the Broadway version of Disney's animated Tarzan for which Collins wrote the music and won a Golden Globe and Oscar for " You'll Be In My Heart, " considered one the most popular adult contemporary hits in history. For the past four years Collins has been partially deaf in his left ear, the result of a viral infection. I suppose he wants to say goodbye properly to his fans and allow them to walk away with some memorable moments from his farewell tour. I was in Vegas last week attending his only concert in Nevada and that is exactly what he did for his fans. Before the concert I was talking to my buddies and we started talking about future acts that we want to see, acts like Dave Matthews Band, U2, The Calling, Hoobostank, Eric Clapton. I remember saying that we shouldn't think too far ahead because right in front of us the man from Chiswick was about to take center stage and I reminded them that this is the same guy that we totally got into in high school and college. He was calling it quits at the end of September.

 

What struck me the most about this particular concert, regardless of what people think of Phil's music. He is very much an extraordinarily gifted musician. He made a suitably suspenseful " In The Air Tonight " the centerpiece, culminating in his drum kit rising via hydraulics for him to bash out one of the most recognizable fills in rock. It was fitting that Phil returned to the drums more than once during his two hour plus concert, for that remains his primary passion. Overall the concert itself was great and Phil really has the respect of his fans that he so richly deserves. Some people classify him as a ham. Even as far back as a role in the London production of Oliver in 1964. He simply fell into being a pop star with an unmistakable voice. He never will be played on MTV again, he's probably even too old for VH1 nowadays, and that was created for people like him. If everyone out there gets their fifteen minutes of fame, he has had a good two or three hours of it. The likes of Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue and Atomic Kitten have surpassed him but compared to them, he's made an everlasting mark in pop music history.

 

He maybe not be done quite done yet in live touring. He always talks about a possible Genesis reunion with legendary keysman Tony Banks and bassist Mike Rutherford or also including Gabriel and Steve Hacket. I know the latter incarnation interests him more. The problem is with Peter, instead of just wanting to learn the old songs and have fun with them, he'd want to do something more intellectually and artistically fulfilling. I suppose it would remind them all of why they split up in the first place.

 

The irony for me is that Phil Collins is a multi millionaire, but he has never lived the life of a rock star, say Michael Jackson, Prince or Madonna. This man from Chiswick has led the life of an ordinary bloke. He has reputation of being honest and wears his heart on his sleeve. Not bad for a guy who sang on Against All Odds and the social commentary on Another Day In Paradise and a take on the Minders classic A Groovy Kind Of Love. All he ever wanted to do was play drums his whole life for the sake of passion. I've always admired his work ethic, he has a reputation of being a person who never stops to smell the roses. In the process he has garnered a reputation of being one of the most respected musicians in pop music today.

 

As I was leaving the concert in Vegas, I thought this really is the beginning of the end of one of the Great Britain's best ambassadors in the world of pop music. He really has made a remarkable career to be proud of.

 

Rohale

[FourAces]

>As I was leaving the concert in Vegas,

 

What? You were in town and didn't stop by to visit:7

 

RT

 

PS Nice commentary.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Phil Collins... Genius, yes. But why not tell us about your dealings at the blackjack tables~

 

*evil grin* You lucky and talented guy. Teach me Ro

 

 

Warmest Always,

 

 

 

Benjamin Nicholas

[Guest rohale]

>Phil Collins... Genius, yes. But why not tell us about your

>dealings at the blackjack tables~

>

>*evil grin* You lucky and talented guy. Teach me Ro

>

>

>Warmest Always,

>

>

>

>Benjamin Nicholas

 

 

I was about turn off my lap-top for the night. For some odd reason a little voice in my head said " Come Back ". Low and behold there he is the great one known and Benjoriffic wants the Ro to teach him black jack. How about if I throw in Poker and Crapps. I was thinking, I was talking to someone who I work with last week about casinos in San Diego. As always she was telling me that her husband lost big time money. Now wants to teach him how to play the dealers game in Black Jack. I'm charging him quite a considerable amount of money. The sad part is he has to work around me, I wish him the best of luck around my scheduling. However for you Benjamin, I'll do it for free. How does that sound?

 

Rohale

[Rick Munroe]

>In a way a sly dig at people like Cher and the Who who

>just wont lie down.

 

Hey, The Who still fucking rock hard! And so does Heart...the best 2 concerts I've seen in the last 2 years.