Phil Collins Photo: Courtesy of Warner Music
Phil Collins is a divisive figure in pop music, his schmaltzy, synth-heavy power ballads sparking love and hate in equal measures.
The Genesis drummer-cum-frontman set out solo in 1981 with Face Value, an album inspired by the collapse of his first marriage. Recorded while on downtime from Genesis, Face Value was a huge commercial success, and was the first in a series of solo LPs that made the British everyman an unlikely superstar.
A decade after he announced his retirement, Collins is plotting a new tour and album. First though, he’s trawled his archives for the Take a Look at Me Now reissues, with Face Value and 1993’s Both Sides first out the gate.
Sam Wicks talks to Phil Collins about his polarising effect on musicians, critics and listeners.
