Phil Collins' bandmate says he's 'much more immobile'

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By Kim Novak

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Phil Collins's bandmate Mike Rutherford has updated fans on the Genesis star's health after he retired from touring with the band.

The drummer and lead singer, 72, performed his last show with Genesis in March 2022 after health issues had made taking part in shows difficult in recent years.

Collins had suffered a spinal injury in 2007, but after surgery in 2009 to correct the damage, he lost feeling in his fingers, which meant he struggled to grip his drumsticks.

He had also undergone further surgery in 2015 after revealing his issues stemmed from an undiagnosed nerve condition but was still struggling to drum with his left hand a year later.

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Phil Collins performed his last shows seated in a chair. Credit: Abaca Press / Alamy

In 2017, Collins underwent treatment in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber after developing an infected abscess on his foot as a result of diabetes and was forced to chancel two shows that year after slipping and hitting his head in his hotel room during the night, leaving him with a gash close to his eye which required stitches.

From that same year, the musician began using a cane to help him walk and would sit in a chair to perform live with the band.

He had paid an emotional farewell to fans at his final live show in March 2022, joking at the time that he'd have to "get a real job" after retiring from the band.

The 2007 injury had also caused damage to vertebrae in Collins' upper neck, which left him with lasting nerve damage and affected his ability to play.

He said in 2021: "I can barely hold a stick with this hand. So there are certain physical things that get in the way.

"I’m kind of physically challenged a bit, which is very frustrating because I’d love to be playing up there with my son."

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Mark Rutherford (left) shared an update on Collins's (center) health. Credit: ALL ACCESS / Alamy

Bassist Rutherford has now updated fans on how the 'In The Air Tonight' star is getting on following his retirement, telling BBC Breakfast that while Collins's mobility has diminished, he is enjoying a more relaxed pace of life.

"As you know, Phil is a bit... He’s much more immobile than he used to be, which is a shame, but at the tour, he was in good spirits," Rutherford revealed.

"He’s fine now at home, enjoying life. He’s worked so hard over the years. I think he’s enjoying his time at home."

Collins's son Nic will be filling in as drummer in the place of his dad, with Rutherford revealing: "I always support the dads because I’m this generation.

"Phil’s the most amazing drummer, but Nic is fantastic too. Like his dad, but a bit different."

Collins and his son had performed together during his final dates with Genesis last year, with Rutherford adding: "It was really nice to have the two of them side by side."

In April last year, Nic told Rolling Stone that while he believes his dad will never perform again, he wouldn't rule it out entirely.

He explained: "I think at the moment, he’s definitely retired. If you ask me on a serious level, I think that show in London was my dad’s last show. But then again, he said that in 2004 and we wound up doing a tour in 2018. You can never be sure.

"But I also do think that my dad is probably excited about the next step in his life. Music has given him so much, but he’s also given so much to it. His career has pretty much determined his life for the past 50 years.

"I think for him to be able to take a step back and not have that pressure that he’s had for decades, I think is going to be nice for him. For me, I think that was that, but who knows?"

Featured image credit: Abaca Press / Alamy

Phil Collins' bandmate says he's 'much more immobile'

vt-author-image

By Kim Novak

Article saved!Article saved!

Phil Collins's bandmate Mike Rutherford has updated fans on the Genesis star's health after he retired from touring with the band.

The drummer and lead singer, 72, performed his last show with Genesis in March 2022 after health issues had made taking part in shows difficult in recent years.

Collins had suffered a spinal injury in 2007, but after surgery in 2009 to correct the damage, he lost feeling in his fingers, which meant he struggled to grip his drumsticks.

He had also undergone further surgery in 2015 after revealing his issues stemmed from an undiagnosed nerve condition but was still struggling to drum with his left hand a year later.

wp-image-1263201121 size-full
Phil Collins performed his last shows seated in a chair. Credit: Abaca Press / Alamy

In 2017, Collins underwent treatment in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber after developing an infected abscess on his foot as a result of diabetes and was forced to chancel two shows that year after slipping and hitting his head in his hotel room during the night, leaving him with a gash close to his eye which required stitches.

From that same year, the musician began using a cane to help him walk and would sit in a chair to perform live with the band.

He had paid an emotional farewell to fans at his final live show in March 2022, joking at the time that he'd have to "get a real job" after retiring from the band.

The 2007 injury had also caused damage to vertebrae in Collins' upper neck, which left him with lasting nerve damage and affected his ability to play.

He said in 2021: "I can barely hold a stick with this hand. So there are certain physical things that get in the way.

"I’m kind of physically challenged a bit, which is very frustrating because I’d love to be playing up there with my son."

wp-image-1263201126 size-full
Mark Rutherford (left) shared an update on Collins's (center) health. Credit: ALL ACCESS / Alamy

Bassist Rutherford has now updated fans on how the 'In The Air Tonight' star is getting on following his retirement, telling BBC Breakfast that while Collins's mobility has diminished, he is enjoying a more relaxed pace of life.

"As you know, Phil is a bit... He’s much more immobile than he used to be, which is a shame, but at the tour, he was in good spirits," Rutherford revealed.

"He’s fine now at home, enjoying life. He’s worked so hard over the years. I think he’s enjoying his time at home."

Collins's son Nic will be filling in as drummer in the place of his dad, with Rutherford revealing: "I always support the dads because I’m this generation.

"Phil’s the most amazing drummer, but Nic is fantastic too. Like his dad, but a bit different."

Collins and his son had performed together during his final dates with Genesis last year, with Rutherford adding: "It was really nice to have the two of them side by side."

In April last year, Nic told Rolling Stone that while he believes his dad will never perform again, he wouldn't rule it out entirely.

He explained: "I think at the moment, he’s definitely retired. If you ask me on a serious level, I think that show in London was my dad’s last show. But then again, he said that in 2004 and we wound up doing a tour in 2018. You can never be sure.

"But I also do think that my dad is probably excited about the next step in his life. Music has given him so much, but he’s also given so much to it. His career has pretty much determined his life for the past 50 years.

"I think for him to be able to take a step back and not have that pressure that he’s had for decades, I think is going to be nice for him. For me, I think that was that, but who knows?"

Featured image credit: Abaca Press / Alamy