phil-collins

Phil Collins says "I am no longer retired," planning new LP & tour

Phil Collins

Phil Collins hasn’t released an album of original songs since 2002’s Testify but tells Rolling Stone, in a new interview, that he’s “no longer retired” and plans to both make an album and tour. “The horse is out of the stable and I’m raring to go.”

Collins has had a rough go of it the last decade or so. Following his “First Farewell Tour,” following Testify, he retired to raise a family with his new wife in Switzerland. (They divorced in 2008 and now both he and his ex-wife and two kids all live in Miami.) Health problems soon ensued, having lost almost all his hearing in his left ear, and a 2007 reunion tour with Genesis resulted in neck injuries that caused nerve damage in his hands, leaving him unable to play the drums. Successful surgery has restored things, though. “The doctor said to me that my vital signs were all there,” he told RS. “He said to me, ‘If you want to play drums again, all you have to do is practice.”

His two children from his recent marriage are also a contributing factor in Collins’ return to music. “My kids are now 10 and 14 and they want to see what their dad does. They were in nappies when I was last on the road. They love my music and I’d like to take them out so they can enjoy it.” Collins added that he’s not sure whether the tour will come before the album or after. Stay tuned.

Watch a few classic Phil videos below.