In a troubling update about his ongoing health issues, Phil Collins has admitted that he has been so sick that he doesn’t have the urge to play music at all. The 74-year-old Genesis legend retired in 2022 after he became increasingly physically limited as a result of a spinal injury from 2007.
The drummer, singer and songwriter was also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2017. In a recent interview with Mojo magazine, the star gave a saddening update on his health battles and how these have greatly impacted his life.
He said: “I keep thinking I should go downstairs to the studio and see what happens. But I’m not hungry for it anymore. The thing is, I’ve been sick, I mean very sick.”
The Grammy winner first commented on his spinal problems in 2009, reports the Mirror. He explained: “My vertebrae have been crushing my spinal cord because of the position I drum in. It comes from years of playing. I 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.”
In December last year, Phil released a documentary – Phil Collins: Drummer First – in which he looked back on his life and music career. As the title suggests, the Rock Hall of Fame inductee chose to focus more on his drumming career rather than his vocal skills.
The filming took place over two years, and the film shows Phil emotionally coming to terms with the fact that drumming had become a lost love for him and that he would never perform live again.
While sitting at his drum kit, he admitted: “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. If I wake up one day and I can hold a pair of drumsticks, then I will have a crack at it. I just feel like I’ve used up my air miles.”
He also admitted he would never be the same: “To be suddenly not be able to do that is a shock. If I can’t do what I did as well as I did it, I’d rather relax and not do anything.” When describing himself as a musician he said: “I’m not a singer who plays the drums. I’m more of a drummer who sings a bit.”
Phil underwent surgery in 2009 in order to try and fix his 2007 spinal injury. However, the operation did not go completely smoothly, which has left the legendary musician with his current health issues. At the time, Phil made it clear he would keep performing for his children despite sharing he had lost feeling in his hands after the operation. This took a massive toll on mental health as he struggled to play his favourite instrument.