Phil Collins Hospitalized But Not Terminally Ill

Phil Collins has been hospitalized, but thankfully it’s not due to a terminal illness, according to his representative. The 74-year-old Genesis frontman is currently recovering from knee surgery, and rumors claiming he is in hospice care are “completely wrong.”

His rep made it clear there is no truth to those unsettling speculations. In February, Collins shared in an interview that he is not particularly eager to create new music, largely because of ongoing health issues. He revealed that in 2022, he struggled to play the drums as it had become too difficult for him physically.

“I think I should go downstairs to the studio and see what happens. But I’m not hungry for that anymore. I mean I was sick. I’m very sick,” he mentioned, reflecting on his situation. The last original album Collins released was in 2002, while a collection of Motown covers came out in 2010, but nothing since then.

During a Genesis tour in 2022, Collins performed while seated and his son, Nick, took over drum duties. This was a noticeable shift since Collins was forced to step back from drumming in 2007 due to a serious spinal injury, which resulted in nerve damage. He described the pain, stating, “I can’t even hold the stick properly without pain.” Such a profound change must be hard for someone who spent decades defining the sound of Genesis.

Collins initially joined Genesis in 1970 with singer-songwriter Peter Gabriel at the helm. After Gabriel’s departure in 1975, Collins became the lead singer, propelling the band to even greater heights. However, by 1996, he left to focus on his solo career, enjoying tremendous success throughout the 1980s.

Fans will certainly hope for his continued recovery and perhaps, one day, a resurgence in his music career.