Phil Collins (born January 30, 1951 in London), better known as Phil Collins, is a British rock/pop musician. Collins presence on popular music was most evident in the mid-to-late 1980s. He is best known as the lead singer and drummer of progressive rock group Genesis and as a Grammy winning solo artist.
In total, Collins sang the lead vocals on eight American chart-toppers between 1984 and 1989, inclusive of seven as a solo artist and one with Genesis. His singles, often dealing with lost love, ranged from the drum-heavy “In the Air Tonight”, the dance pop of “Sussudio”, and the political statements of his most successful song, “Another Day in Paradise”. His international popularity transformed Genesis from a progressive rock group to a regular on the pop charts and an early MTV mainstay.
Collins' professional career began as a drummer, first with obscure rock group Flaming Youth and more famously with Genesis. Although Collins supplied backing vocals for original front man Peter Gabriel, it would not be until 1976 that he became the group's lead singer. As the decade closed, Genesis' first international hit, “Follow You, Follow Me”, demonstrated a drastic change from the band's early years. His concurrent solo career, heavily influenced by his personal life, brought both him and Genesis commercial success. According to Atlantic Records, Collins' total worldwide sales as a solo artist, as of 2002, were over 100 million.