Phil Collins Has Been 'Very Sick' And 'Not Hungry' To Perform

Phil Collins has shared a new health update, revealing that he’s been “very sick” and doesn’t have the hunger for performing.

In a new interview with Mojo Magazine, the Invisible Touch singer discussed his ongoing health issues – namely, how they don’t just affect his ability to play the drums but how they impact his desire to perform. “I keep thinking I should go downstairs to the studio and see what happens,” Collins told the publication.

He added, “But I’m not hungry for it anymore. The thing is, I’ve been sick. I mean, very sick.”

Since experiencing a serious spinal injury in 2007, Collins has suffered from severe nerve damage, leading to deteriorating mobility in recent years. During the 2022 Genesis farewell shows, the singer and drummer had to sing while seated, and his son, Nic, played the drums.

In the recent documentary Phil Collins: Drummer First, the English music icon detailed the “shock” of no longer being able to play the drums. “I’ve spent all my life playing drums. To suddenly not be able to do that is a shock,” he said (per Billboard).

Collins continued, “If I can’t do what I did as well as I did it, I’d rather relax and not do anything. If I wake up one day and I can hold a pair of drumsticks, then I’ll have a crack at it. But I just feel like I’ve used up my air miles.”

Phil Collins last toured Australia in 2019 on his Not Dead Yet tour. Upon announcing the tour, he said, “I thought I would retire quietly, but thanks to the fans, my family and support from some extraordinary artists, I have rediscovered my passion for music and performing.

“It’s time to do it all again, and I’m excited. It just feels right.”

Reviewing the musician’s show at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, The Music’s Mick Radojkovic wrote: “Take Me Home was a delightful way to end a night that showed no matter how much your body might fail you, if you can still sing, you can hold a crowd in the palm of your hand.”