Phil Collins might arguably be best known as a singer and songwriter who releases pop and rock music (both as a solo artist and with the band Genesis), but he is also a world-class drummer with the talent and capability to drum in progressive and experimental styles. This was proved beyond doubt by the opening segment of his 2004 The First Farewell Tour, in which Phil himself performed an incredible drum piece alongside his touring drummer Chester Thompson and percussionist Luis Conte.
Titled ‘Drums, Drums and More Drums’, the piece was intended to act as an introduction to the two hours of big hits and fan favorites that Phil and his band would subsequently be playing, and it did a brilliant job of getting the audience warmed up for the ensuing performance. As Phil walked out onstage and took his place at the drum kit, the crowd went wild, while another huge cheer followed once he had pulled off a tricky drum solo that gradually got more and more intense.
Next, it was Chester’s turn, who pulled off a similarly skillful solo, before Phil joined in again and the pair played a high-powered, energy-filled segment in sync with each other. Finally, it was the turn of Luis Conte, who joined the pair on stage and proceeded to thrash out a formidable rhythm on his percussion kit with the accompaniment of Phil and Chester. This final moment of the piece where all three drummers play in sync is arguably the most exciting, and the crowd is clearly mesmerized.
Once the piece was finished, the band wasted no time hanging around either, launching straight into the first proper song of the night, ‘Something Happened On the Way to Heaven’. Released in 1990 as a single from Phil’s fourth album ‘…But Seriously’, the vibrant, brass-infused track sounded incredible when the band played it live on the First Final Farewell tour, with Phil moving from behind the drum kit to the front of the stage to deliver his enthusiastic, melodic vocal part.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpscJcB2Zuk
Many Music Man readers will surely agree that Phil Collins is one of the greatest pop and rock artists of the last fifty years, writing an enormous number of global hits that have gone on to become instantly recognizable to people of all ages. As shown by just the first two segments of his First Final Farewell Tour in 2004, however, Phil is also a highly versatile musician, as capable of delivering complex drum solos as he is upbeat and catchy vocals.
If you would like to hear more from this talented drummer and songwriter, you can visit Phil Collins’ Facebook or check out his official Website for more incredible music.