In a recent episode of The Jonathan Ross Show, legendary musician Phil Collins made a surprise appearance and got quizzed on his own music. The talk show host introduced Collins to roaring applause and expressed how great it was to have him there.
Ross pointed out that Collins had been away from the public eye for about six years, ever since he announced his retirement. Collins explained that he had been tired and wanted to focus on being a father to his young kids at the time.
Interestingly, this wasn’t the first time Collins had retired. He admitted to retiring once before, but it seems he just can’t stay away from music for too long. Ross jokingly mentioned that it’s hard to trust Collins when he keeps coming back. Collins responded, “Don’t believe anything I say, including anything I say tonight.”
The conversation then shifted to Collins’ career with Genesis, where he started as the drummer and later became the frontman. Collins revealed that he didn’t initially want to be the singer but took on the role because they couldn’t find anyone else suitable. He confessed that he was more terrified about what to say between songs, as his bandmate Peter Gabriel was known for his storytelling abilities.
The talk show host also highlighted Collins’ remarkable success as a solo artist. Collins humbly acknowledged that while the fame and money were nice, they were not what drove him. In fact, Collins realized the extent of his hard work when writing his book, “Not Dead Yet.” He reflected on the sacrifices he made and the missed moments in his personal life due to being constantly on the road.
Despite his incredible success, Collins has always been an easy target for jokes. Ross, who himself had made jokes about Collins in the past, admitted that he didn’t know why he had targeted him. Collins appreciated the honesty and acknowledged that being successful made him an easy subject for jokes.
The conversation took an interesting turn when Prince Charles and Princess Diana were brought up. Collins revealed that he had played at both their birthdays. He even recalled an amusing incident where Prince Charles asked him if he could organize a birthday party like Michael Jackson’s. Collins, being a part of the Prince’s Trust, couldn’t say no and eventually put together a memorable event.
To add some exciting fun to the interview, Ross decided to have a drumming quiz for Collins. Drummer John Thompson joined the set and played a series of famous drum solos for Collins to identify. While Collins struggled to recognize some of the tracks, it was entertaining to see his reaction.
Overall, the episode was a delightful mix of nostalgia, music, and humor. Phil Collins‘ appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show not only reminded us of his incredible career but also showcased his down-to-earth personality. It’s safe to say that even though he may have retired a couple of times, his passion for music continues to shine through.
