why I dislike Phil Collins

memowakeman wrote: because he took Genesis to a Prog Pop Band

I think weve already established that Tony Banks was far more instrumentle in the musical direction that Genesis took after Hackett left.

Phil is an amazing talent. I first realized how hot a drummer he was when listening to the closing section of 'The Return of the Giant Hogweed (Giant Hogweed lives!) on the 'Genesis-Live' album back in 1973. Then of course we have his superb voice. In the early days of Genesis, hearing Peter and Phil sing together was magic. It was like Lennon and McCartney or in 'prog-terms' Jon Anderson and Chris Squire. I was not worried after Peter left when I heard that Phil was taking over lead vocals. I was more worried about the direction the band was heading in. In fact I believe that 'A Trick of the Tale' is one of the best Genesis albums. The band retained its prog-ethic until Steve Hackett left. I believe that Peter and Steve's influences helped the band lean towards prog-rock. Peter has always been a unique man, who seems to be in his own little world which tends to point toward the avante-garde. In layman's terms it comes out as prog-rock. As far as Steve goes, everyone knows that he is a true prog-rocker as well as being an excellent classical guitarist. King Crimson took its toll on him and has influenced him to this day. He even looked like Robert Fripp in his early days. (Didn't he become quite handsome after the beard and horn-rimmed glasses came off?). So to blame Phil for heading Genesis towards pop is a mistake. Phil, Tony and Mike all chose to move the band towards pop. I believe they thought by 1977 that prog was dead, and if they were to survive they better change their ways. Plus all three remaining members of Genesis enjoyed pop music (Peter does too but read my previous comments), so there you go! To the old prog fans this was a horrible mistake and an unforgivable decision. But in financial terms for the band it was a brilliant decision. I believe so much was lost when Peter and Steve left, and that their contributions, in writing helped the band achive the lofty artistic levels that exsisted while they were present. But what I don't like about Phil is his arrogance. He has always been in the spotlight. From his early childlhood acting, to Genesis and Brand-X, and on to solo-pop stardom and Disney. It's the commercial pop-machine in him that bothers me. Wasting such a brilliant talent on trashy simplistist pop, which is such an easy thing for him with his great talents, instead of using those God-given talents so much appreciated by us prog-heads in the classic Genesis and Brand-X. Thank God that his prog-drummer buddy Bill Bruford never sold out. Man I respect him so much. Even Yes was too pop for him (Leaving Yes to join King Crimson at the height of power for Yes was a ballsy move!). Musical integrity and artistic experimentation is where he's at! Also Phil's writing is great for pop, bad for prog. But it is obvious that he appreciates pop, and that's where he is at. We don't have to like it, in fact I loathe it, especially after we know what he WAS capable of doing, but we should not disrespect him for his choises.                  

Edited by Dennis

Phil Collins Says Genesis Reunion Possible

Photos AP Photo

Mon Nov 07, 4:59 PM ET

Phil Collins says he's open to the idea of a Genesis reunion.

Nothing has been announced, but the 54-year-old British singer, who is touring the Middle East, says: "There's a possibility. I'm open for it."

"If it doesn't happen, it won't be because we don't want to. It will just be because there are too many things in the way," he said Sunday. "I'm happy to sit behind the drum kit and let Peter (Gabriel) be the singer, but if it happens, I'll be there."

Genesis formed in 1967, performing for more than 30 years before disbanding in 1998. Collins fronted the band after lead singer Gabriel left in 1975 to pursue a solo career.

Collins went solo in 1996.

"We're all still good friends. We spent like 30 or 25 years of our life in the same office," Collins said. "Just because we don't play in the same band anymore doesn't mean we don't see each other and enjoy each other's company."

 

This u find all over the net, this in paticular taken from:

http://entertainment.tv.yahoo.com/entnews/ap/20051107/113141 154000.html

 

If they only play one show, and it's on the moon, I'll make my own rocket to get there!!!

    I meant money and cOmmercialism blinded him   

NetsNJFan wrote: I LOVE PHIL COLLINS Beautiful, unique voice (especially in 1980's Genesis) Incredible Drummer, for prog (Genesis) or Jazz (brand X) Key member of Genesis - he is not to blame for the pop direction, they had been moving towards it before h even began writing songs. Seems like an overall nice guy

Well said, Nets, as usual. 

Phil Collins is great.  I don't like his solo work AT ALL, but I respect him as a musician and his work with Genesis was superb.

Phenomenal drummer... More soulful than any of his BRITISH peers of the time....

While Phil's (post-But Seriously) solo career is not to my liking, his first four albums either were very good or excellent, but he did what he wanted to do (to the chagrin of everyone whom loved Brand X and Genesis) the complex, hard hitting drummer that was so well admired, grew up and decided complex music was no longer his thing...

Phil just happen to be the singer of a band that was once was one of Prog's definitive bands....

 

Charles

John Gargo wrote: Phil Collins is great.  I don't like his solo work AT ALL, but I respect him as a musician and his work with Genesis was superb.

gotta admit, "In the Air tonight" is a pretty rad song.