Eric Clapton Encyclopedia

Collins, Phil

Collins, Phil

Entry published in Biographies - Other Musicians / Last modified on 26 August 2005

Collins was born in Chiswick, West London on 30 January 1951. A child actor / singer, he went on to find fame as the drummer of Genesis and as a solo artist. Between 1984 and 1990, he had 13 straight Top 10 hits in the U.S. He was one of the most successful adult contemporary singers of the 1980s. During that decade, he struck up a friendship with Clapton. Their first musical association was for Collins’ song “If Leaving Me Is Easy”, which is on his solo album, Face Value. Collins went on to produce and perform on Clapton’s Behind The Sun and August albums. Clapton guested on Collins’ album But Seriously, on the track “I Wish It Would Rain Down.” Clapton was also featured in the video. Collins toured as Clapton’s drummer in July 1986, April - October 1987, and January 1989. Clapton and Collins have also appeared together at numerous charity concerts including The Secret Policeman’s Other Ball, Live Aid, Concerts for The Princes Trust, and Music For Montserrat.