A representative for Phil Collins has shut down online rumors that the legendary singer and drummer is currently in hospice care, confirming that the 73-year-old artist is instead in the hospital for a knee surgery.
Speculation surrounding Collins’ health began circulating online this week, with some social media users falsely claiming that the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer had entered hospice — a facility typically reserved for end-of-life care. However, a rep for Collins confirmed to TMZ that those rumors are unfounded.
The spokesperson clarified that Collins is currently hospitalized, but only due to a recent knee operation, and not due to any terminal condition.
Concerns over Collins’ health have been ongoing in recent years. The former Genesis frontman has openly discussed his medical challenges, many of which stem from a serious spinal injury he suffered in 2007. Complications from that injury led to nerve damage and drop-foot, a condition that has left him with little to no sensation in one of his feet. Since 2015, Collins has used a cane to walk and has had difficulty standing for extended periods.
In his 2024 documentary Phil Collins: Drummer First, which premiered on Dec. 18 on the Drumeo YouTube channel, the musician gave a candid update on how his health has impacted his life and career.
“I’ve spent all my life playing drums. To suddenly not be able to do that is a shock,” he said in the film. “If I can’t do what I did as well as I did it, I’d rather relax and not do anything. If I wake up one day and I can hold a pair of drumsticks, then I’ll have a crack at it. But I just feel like I’ve used up my air miles.”
Collins, who officially retired from performing with Genesis in 2022 following a seated farewell concert, also shared in past interviews that he had postponed recording new music due to feeling “very sick.”
His final Genesis performance in London saw him joined by longtime bandmates Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks, and was marked by an outpouring of love from fans. At the time, Collins joked to the crowd, “After tonight, we’ve all got to get real jobs.”
Collins has achieved remarkable success on the Billboard charts throughout his career, particularly during the 1980s. As a solo artist, Collins earned seven No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now),” “Sussudio,” and “Another Day in Paradise,” which spent four weeks at the top.
His 1985 album No Jacket Required dominated the Billboard 200, earning diamond certification and winning the Grammy for Album of the Year. With Genesis, Collins reached No. 1 with “Invisible Touch” in 1986.
Great Job Jessica Lynch & the Team @ Billboard Source link for sharing this story.
