Phil Collins, the legendary voice behind “In The Air Tonight”, hasn’t had the easiest time in recent years. Health challenges have kept the 73-year-old icon from performing and playing the drums that helped define a generation. But thanks to a new video from Drumeo, Collins recently experienced a powerful moment: reconnecting with his iconic Gretsch tom drum kit for the first time in over ten years.
Collins’ health struggles began around 2007 following a severe spinal injury, which led to a condition known as drop foot — a mobility issue that makes lifting the front part of the foot difficult. He’s also dealt with chronic neck pain, a common ailment among drummers, which has made sitting behind a drum kit increasingly difficult.
A Drummer First: Phil Collins in a New Light
Drumeo’s new documentary, Phil Collins: Drummer First, dives deep into the life and rhythm of one of music’s most influential drummers. The film explores his remarkable career, his personal battles, and his legacy — all with the help of his son, Nic Collins, who has taken up the family tradition as the drummer for Better Strangers.
In a moving moment from the documentary, Drumeo host Brandon Toews and Nic Collins set out to reconstruct Phil’s classic drum kit — the same one he used on Genesis’ epic 1992 We Can’t Dance tour. Once reassembled, Nic sits down to give it a spin, even delivering the famous drum fill from “In The Air Tonight.” (Fun fact: this isn’t the same kit used in the original recording — but it’s close.)
Nic also shares an interesting insight: the positioning of the drums likely forced his father to lean forward during performances, contributing to his long-term posture and neck issues.
A Bittersweet Return to the Throne
Toward the end of the clip, the moment fans have been waiting for arrives — Phil Collins steps up to his old drum kit. Sitting down, he taps out a few rhythms with quiet reflection. Then, with a smile and a simple, “That’s enough of that,” he gets back up.
It’s a brief but emotional reminder of Collins’ enduring connection to his instrument — and the power of music, memory, and legacy.