For fans who have followed the “In the Air Tonight” singer’s journey, the news offers a mix of sobering reality and inspiration. Collins revealed that he now requires a 24-hour live-in nurse to manage his daily medications and assist with his mobility. Reflecting on a series of medical setbacks that seemed to strike all at once, Collins remarked, “Everything that could go wrong with me did go wrong.”
The legendary drummer’s physical hurdles have been significant. He disclosed that he has undergone five separate operations on his knee. While he can now walk again, he noted that he still requires assistance, often using crutches to get around. These issues were compounded by a bout with COVID-19 while in the hospital, which led to further complications with his kidneys.
Perhaps most movingly, Collins addressed his past struggles with alcohol. He admitted that after coming off the road, he began drinking too much during the day, which took a severe toll on his internal health and led to months of hospitalization. However, the singer shared a major milestone: he has now been sober for two years. He credited his assistant for keeping track of the date, noting that while the last few years were “interesting” and “frustrating,” he feels much better now.
Despite the nerve damage that has famously prevented him from playing the drums, Collins isn’t ready to close the door on music entirely. He teased that he has been looking at unfinished projects in his studio, expressing a desire to “have a fiddle about” and see if there is more music left in him. “Maybe there’s life in the old dog yet,” he joked, signaling that while his touring days are over, his creative spirit remains intact.
As Collins prepares to celebrate his 75th birthday, his focus remains on his health and his family. He expressed deep pride in his children, including actress Lily Collins and son Nic Collins, who took over drumming duties during Genesis’s final tour. While the road to recovery has been long, the “Against All Odds” singer seems determined to keep moving forward, one step at a time.