Phil Collins

In Not Dead Yet: The Memoir, Phil Collins provides a candid look at his life and career, from humble beginnings in an “end-of-the-line” London neighborhood to drummer and then frontman/vocalist for the progressive rock band Genesis to international superstardom as a solo performer and songwriter. Collins demonstrates a sharp wit in tracing the trajectory of his career, dropping many familiar names and recalling some terrific behind-the-scenes stories from recording sessions and the show more seemingly endless run of concert tours. He also recounts with evident sadness and regret his inability to balance the touring demands with his family obligations, his three failed marriages, extramarital affairs, battles with alcohol abuse, and the profound effect all of this had on his children. The combination of humor and pathos makes this an intriguing memoir. show less

Not Dead Yet: The Memoir reminded me of how pervasive, ubiquitous, the music of Phil Collins was in the 1980s. Some evenings while reading Not Dead Yet I listened to Collins-era Genesis and Collins solo, thinking that I didn't know many of his songs. I listened to something like 45 songs and I knew more than I didn't know. Collins was in the air, seeped into the pores of your skin. In many ways, Collins was the 1980s.

(I also listened to the first few Genesis records, when Phil either was not show more with them yet or solely behind the drum kit; not very familiar with the band, I was surprised to discover how proggy and arty their early stuff is; really liked it.)

But Phil is more than that. I didn't know much about all-pervasive Phil. His career has been long and relatively varied. He's a fascinating person. Also an infuriating one. By the time he romantically reconnected with a high-school sweetheart, risking yet another divorce and the dissolution of yet another family, I was literally shouting in frustration at the printed page.

Not Dead Yet is decently written and engaging, fascinating, informative, aggravating. Phil lays it all out there: the divorces, the relentless projects and work and touring, the health problems and crises, the end-of-career alcoholism. He's taken responsibility, he's shouldered his regrets, he's frequently danced through the fire to the edge of a cliff and he's come through it all. He's not dead yet. show less

I'm impressed. Not Dead Yet is decidedly better than I expected. Even if partially ghost-written—I honestly have no idea—Phil Collins weaves a concise autobiography complete with all the ups and downs of celebrity. There's hardly a dull moment from beginning to end. Expect him to air his dirty laundry when the topic gets personal, and it gets very personal the farther along you get, but hearing him tell all comes across as a bit disingenuous. Just slightly, as if he's holding something show more back. Then again, it could be who he is. I've known plenty of self-centered people. The feelings of others aren't their strong suit. He does try though, bless him. Makes me wish I could hear both sides of Phil's story. This is especially true when it pertains to any of his wives. They all sound like nice people until the relationship gets inevitably strained, which always happens. (Weird. Just as I write this, Phil actually utters the words "dirty laundry" so there you go—I'm listening to the audiobook and he's the reader.)

Honestly, it's not all about sex and women. No, that's barely half of it. For the most part Phil Collins was a workaholic. In his own words, he feels he hit 10,000 hours of drumming before he was a teenager. And the 80's, according to him, was a blur of producing and touring. The quality and sheer quantity of his output during his prime years is in a league of its own.

I honestly don't believe one can achieve the kind of international fame Phil Collins has achieved—i.e. a successful singer/musician of two bands, a semi-successful actor and a media personality—without a critical level of narcissism. The two go together, for better or worse. I didn't know the man from his music. I also wasn't a fan until the early 90's and by then the celebrity-obsessed public was long tired of seeing his mug everywhere. Nevertheless, we wouldn't be here discussing this or that about his life if it weren't for his songs. His music (and the music of Genesis) spans decades and is irrevocably fused with the pop culture of the 80's and 90's. show less

Not Dead Yet by Phil Collins is a 2016 Crown Archetype publication.

My luck with rock memoirs this year has been lukewarm at best. I’ve been disappointed, or unimpressed or bored to tears for the most part, with only one or two exceptions.

So, being a huge fan of Genesis and Phil Collins, I was a little wary about reading this one, but noticed the book has had a very favorable response from readers, so I decided to give it a try.

Well, this one wins best rock/music memoir of 2016 award show more from me!

Phil told his story with so much humor and honesty!! This is a very refreshing approach to take with a memoir and Phil is incredibly personable and despite his fame, he seems to have a self-deprecating manner, especially when speaking of his foibles. Only once or twice was there a hint of snark, but it was so light it hardly counted.

My favorite segment of this book was about ‘Live Aid’. This was a crazy adventure for Phil, who participated in both shows, with mixed success. I ended up laughing out loud about some of the absurdities of that day.

Once the nineties rolled around and Phil left Genesis, I lost track of him, except for the scandal involving his divorce from his second wife. But, here in America, I don’t recall it being such a big thing, but, apparently, it was a pretty big deal in the British tabloids. His reputation took a big hit and his career started to slow down during this time as well, which led to a slow downward spiral.

He did, while describing this tumultuous period, did do a little whining, and of course I did not approve of his decisions, but he doesn’t gloss over his misdeeds or make excuses either. He was a cad and he knew it, and owned up to it, for the most part.

I was lucky enough to have attended a Genesis concert, as well one of Phil’s solo performances. Both shows were outstanding and I am thankful I got to experience the wonderful musicianship and talent Phil brought to the table. Reading this novel brought back so some wonderful memories and reminded me of the wealth of material Phil was involved with. I’ve been revisiting a lot of this wonderful music while reading this memoir, and am amazed by the quality of work, the immense talent, and depth much of this music showcases, whether with Genesis or with his solo material.

The details he provided about the physical torment drummers can go through, especially on tour, was riveting. I never imagined the toll it takes on the drummer’s hands and body, and the extreme measure they go through to make it through a tour. Not only that, Phil had to preserve his voice too, which was another struggle altogether.

Phil has led an interesting and colorful life and I so enjoyed hearing him tell this story in his own words, and appreciated his approach to the memoir and his mesmerizing way with words that made me feel as though he were speaking to me directly and personally.

It is sad to hear his health has been so bad recently, and that he’s suffered through a great deal of pain, both physically and emotionally.

However, he’s back now…. Like he never went away.

This is one of the very best memoirs I’ve read, and is an absolute must for Phil’s fans. But, even if you weren’t a huge fan, you will still find his story to be a fascinating read, will enjoy his humor and respect his candor.

5 stars show less