Phil Collins

 Phil Collins first learned to play the drums. Long before his rise to fame with Genesis and his hugely successful solo career, Phil Collins was drawn to rhythm at an early age. According to Collins, his interest in drumming began around the age of five, when he received a toy drum kit as a Christmas gift. What started as a childhood fascination quickly became a serious pursuit, setting the foundation for his future in music.

As he grew older, Collins continued developing his drumming skills largely through self-teaching and practice rather than formal music schooling. He spent countless hours playing along to records, closely studying the rhythms and techniques of jazz and rock drummers he admired. Influences such as Buddy Rich and Ringo Starr shaped his approach, helping him develop the precise timing and expressive style that would later define his sound. This early focus on drums gave Collins a strong sense of rhythm that carried through every stage of his career.

Before joining Genesis, Collins worked as a session drummer and gained experience in various musical settings. When he became the band’s drummer in 1970, his role was initially behind the kit rather than at the microphone. His drumming on albums like Nursery Cryme and Foxtrot was a major part of the band’s evolving progressive rock sound. Only later did Collins step into the role of lead vocalist, following Peter Gabriel’s departure, an unusual transition that highlighted his versatility as a musician.

Collins’s background as a drummer continued to influence his solo work as well. Many of his most recognizable songs are built around strong, memorable drum patterns, most famously the opening fill of “In the Air Tonight.” His ability to combine rhythmic complexity with accessible pop songwriting became one of his defining traits and helped him appeal to a broad audience.

By starting his musical journey on drums, Phil Collins developed a deep understanding of rhythm and structure that shaped both his band and solo successes. That early choice of instrument played a crucial role in making him one of the most recognizable and influential musicians of his generation.