Phil Collins Opens Up About Health Struggles & 24-Hour Care

Collins performing during Genesis’s 2022 The Last Domino? farewell tour, he performed seated while his son, Nic Collins, took over drumming duties. This is an AI-generated image created for illustrative purposes only. It does not depict an actual event or official engagement.

Music legend Phil Collins, the iconic drummer, singer and songwriter best known for his work with Genesis and hits like In the Air Tonight, has shared a rare and candid health update about the challenges he’s faced in recent years. The 74-year-old musician revealed that he now requires 24-hour care from a live-in nurse to manage his ongoing medical needs.

In a recent interview — part of the BBC podcast series Eras: In Conversation with host Zoe Ball — Collins spoke openly about the cascade of physical problems that have shaped his life since leaving the touring stage. He explained that everything that could go wrong, did go wrong in the last few years, resulting in multiple surgeries and persistent complications.

A Lifetime of Music and Hard-Won Experience

Collins, who turned 75 on January 30 2026, has endured a series of serious health issues stretching back decades. A spinal injury from 2007 led to nerve damage and progressively limited his mobility. Over time, he has undergone five knee surgeries, and conditions such as “drop foot” have made walking and drumming increasingly difficult.

Despite these obstacles, Collins shared that he can still walk with assistance — using crutches or other aids — and embraces the support of a 24-hour live-in nurse to ensure his medication and routines are maintained.

Health Challenges in Context

In addition to joint and nerve issues, Collins has talked about how other setbacks — including complications from COVID-19 and kidney problems connected to past heavy drinking — compounded his health struggles. He’s also been sober for two years.

These struggles ultimately led Collins to retire from touring and give up playing drums entirely. During Genesis’s 2022 The Last Domino? farewell tour, he performed seated while his son, Nic Collins, took over drumming duties.

Reflections on Life, Music & the Future

While some reports have distilled his situation as grim, Collins’s own words reflect a complex mix of frustration, acceptance, and cautious hope. He described recent years as “difficult, interesting and frustrating,” yet also noted that he hopes to continue managing his health and mobility as best as possible.

Though he has said in the past he’s “not hungry” to make new music, the possibility of returning to the studio — even tentatively — is something Collins has not completely ruled out, emphasizing that inspiration can strike when you least expect it.

Phil Collins’ Legacy: More Than Just Health News

Phil Collins’s place in music history is undeniable: from chart-topping solo hits to revolutionary work with Genesis, he’s influenced generations of listeners and musicians. Even as he manages ongoing health challenges, fans around the world continue to celebrate his legacy and the powerful emotional impact of his music.

Whether he chooses to stay out of the studio or finds a new creative spark, Collins remains a living legend whose music will resonate far beyond his performance career.