The final concert in London’s 02 Arena is over. Genesis as a live band is rock history. Phil Collins’ cervical vertebrae disease makes it impossible to catch up on the tour dates in Italy, Australia and South America that were postponed during the lockdown era. Goodbye and farewell after 55 years. Or maybe not?
“As of now, he’s definitely retired. London was my father’s last show. But on the other hand, he said that before in 2004. And then we did a solo tour in 2018,” says Nic Collins (20) in an interview with the American ROLLING STONE.
“Being on the ‘Not Dead Yet’ tour with my dad changed a lot. It showed that he could still sing brilliantly despite his health issues. It was a good show. Fans could once again celebrate the music they grew up with. Or that they have never heard live before because they belong to a new generation.”
“He misses it like hell not being able to play the drums anymore”
Nic Collins is torn between his own band project Better Strangers, which tours at indie club level, and the mega structures with his father Phil as a solo artist or with Genesis. He had to find his way between the extremes. You would have thrown him in at the deep end when he was 16 and suddenly he would have played in a completely different dimension. Super exciting, but the percentage for own would have been close to zero.
For Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford, these father/son performances would ultimately have been the decisive kick to embark on the adventure of Genesis again. “If my dad had just been on the mic without my part, it would have been weird. He misses not being able to play drums like hell: And I also know the fans would love to see him. I just wish he could keep doing it.”
“There is no security there. But I think my father is excited about the next step in his life. Music gave him so much, but he invested just as much. It will do him good to take a step back and just shake off decades of pressure.”
On the day of the tour finale, Nic Collins learned of the death of his friend and mentor, Taylor Hawkins. This shock was followed by the last show with Genesis. “I knew it was going to be an emotional set. What a strange day for me.”
What do you think of the rumored scenario that Peter Gabriel is going to play a few concerts with the old band on the drums again? According to Nic Collins, dozens of details would have to be clarified. “To me that would be a tribute to a certain Genesis era. That would have to be implemented with a lot of taste and knowledge. And everyone should be on board. And with people who have been in each other’s lives for so long, that’s easier said than done!”