Phil Collins Reflects on Genesis: 'I'm Not Their Biggest Fan'

Looking back on a storied career with Genesis, Phil Collins has revealed that he doesn’t consider himself the band’s greatest admirer.

The 73-year-old musician opened up in the new documentary Phil Collins: Drummer First, produced by Drumeo. The film revisits Collins’ journey from child prodigy to becoming the iconic drummer and later frontman for Genesis.

“I’m not Genesis’ biggest fan, you know,” Collins admits candidly in the documentary. “There’s stuff that I like, stuff I’m proud of – [but also] stuff that [I’m] less so. Sometimes it can be like people throwing bricks at you.”

While he remains proud of much of the band’s work, Collins acknowledges that the breadth of their discography naturally includes its highs and lows. “I’ve been playing drums since I was 5 – there’s gonna be dogs!” he said. “There’s gonna be stuff you enjoy hearing back, and others not so.”

Despite his personal critiques, Collins is quick to affirm that he enjoyed his time with the band, viewing it as an integral chapter in his life as a musician.

One track that stands out—though not in a good way—is “Down and Out” from the 1978 album ... And Then There Were Three... The record marked a turning point for Genesis following the departure of guitarist Steve Hackett and was a fully collaborative effort between Collins, Mike Rutherford, and Tony Banks.

“So ‘Down and Out,’ … I haven’t heard it in ages; but it’s a period piece,” Collins said of the rhythmically complex song. He admitted it was a challenging track to complete, both technically and creatively, and it remains his least favorite Genesis composition.

As Collins reflects on his career, his honesty about his mixed feelings toward Genesis highlights the complexities of a legacy built over decades. For him, the journey was as much about embracing imperfections as it was about celebrating success.