The former Genesis frontman was the subject of online rumours earlier this month that he was receiving hospice care, but his representative has confirmed that is not the case
Phil Collins is recuperating from knee surgery, it has been confirmed. The 74-year-old musician, who earlier this year confessed to being “very sick”, was the subject of online speculation last week, suggesting he was receiving hospice care.
However, his representative confirmed to The Independent that this is not the case. Instead, the former Genesis frontman is in hospital recovering after undergoing a procedure on his knee.
Phil, who has type 2 diabetes and ongoing complications from a 2007 spinal operation, which means he can “barely” hold a drumstick properly anymore, admitted earlier this year that his health issues have led to him losing interest in playing music.
He told MOJO magazine: “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 In the Air Tonight hitmaker would love to be able to drum again one day, but he devastatingly believes he’s “used up my air miles”.
Speaking in the Phil Collins: Drummer First documentary, he said: “It’s still kind of sinking in a bit… I’ve spent all my life playing drums.
“To suddenly not be able to do that is a shock.”
Phil picked up his first set of drumsticks aged five and he says the laborious playing has “taken its toll” on his hands and legs.
He added about his decision to retire: “If I can’t do what I did as well as I did it, I’d rather relax and not do anything.
“If I wake up one day and I can hold a pair of drumsticks then I’ll have a crack at it. But I just feel like I’ve used up my air miles.”
Phil has endured prolonged health struggles ever since damaging a vertebra in his upper neck during a performance in 2009.
Two years afterwards, he withdrew from live shows due to debilitating nerve damage that left him unable to play drums, before making a comeback in 2015.
While promoting Genesis’ reunion concerts, he had previously revealed: “I’m kind of physically challenged a bit, which is very frustrating because I’d love to be playing up there with my son.”