How did Phil Collins injure his spine? Incident explored amid musician's health struggles

Phil Collins has shared a recent health update, admitting that he is not returning to drumming anytime soon. The news follows years of ongoing health struggle for the legendary Genesis drummer.

The veteran musician, who is also a successful singer, first suffered a dislocated vertebra in 2007 during a Genesis reunion tour. This injury intensified the discomfort he had already been experiencing from years of drumming in a crouched position. In an interview with Daily Mail, the Another Day in Paradise singer spoke about the challenges he currently faces, adding how difficult it was for him to even hold the sticks.

"My vertebrae have been crushing my spinal cord because of the position I drum in. It comes from years of playing. can’t even hold the sticks properly without it being painful. I even used to tape the sticks to my hands to get through. Don’t worry, I can still sing."

The injury also left him with severe nerve damage and limited mobility, eventually requiring Collins to use a cane. In 2015, the singer underwent a surgery but experienced a series of falls due to drop foot. Later, in 2019, he had another accident. While sitting down to perform at a Genisis concert, Phil fell backwards on his chair.

In a 2021 interview to Mirror, the eight-time Grammy winner admited that he was battling type 2 Diabetes, and no longer felt the same passion to make music, largely due to his decade-long health struggle. he said:

"I keep thinking I should go downstairs to the studio and see what happens. But I’m not hungry for it anymore.”

He added:

"It's still kind of sinking in a little bit. You know, I'm 71. I've spent all my life playing drums. To suddenly not be able to do that is a shock."

Phil Collins performed his last concert during the Genisis The Last Domino? tour of Genesis in 2022. He was joined by his ex-bandmates, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford. Peter Gabriel, who was also once a part of the band, was in attendance for their last concert. According to USA Today, Collins said:

"Me going was a rite of passage, really. I’d been part of the creation of Genesis, so I wanted to be there at the end.” He acknowledged that Phil Collins’ performance wasn’t as strong as it used to be."

Due to his ongoing health issues, the drumming legend was unable to perform, so his son Nic Collins took his place behind the drums during the concert.

In the Phil Collins: Drummer First documentary, released in December, Nic offers insights into his father's health struggles, saying:

"In one of his feet, he has like no sensation, which is why he can't really play drums and why he has to walk with a cane, because he doesn't have that control that he used to anymore."

Phil Collins life and career

Phil Collins was born in Chiswick, London on January 30, 1971. He joined the progressive rock band Genesis in 1970 as a drummer, but would go on to become their lead vocalist in 1975, after Peter Gabriel left to pursue a solo career.

Collins also has a highly successful and prolific solo career begining in the 1980s, with singles like In the Air Tonight, Another Day in Paradise, Against all odds, and many more.