PHIL COLLINS :HOW I SAVED MY VOICE DOING TWO GENESIS SHOWS A NIGHT

#philcollins #genesis #singing
How did Phil Collins manage to keep his singing voice doing 2x 2.5 hr shows plus 2 sound-checks in one day? And 11 shows in 9 nine days?
This is a short excerpt from one of several long conversational interviews from 2014, when PHIL COLLINS sat down for a series of THREE lengthy filmed conversations with Director JOHN EDGINTON.
THIS - PART OF HIS THIRD INTERVIEW - WAS FILMED IN HIS SMALL NEW YORK STUDIO.
Please subscribe for free for more of my Genesis and other rock musician interviews plus my award-winning investigative doumentaries / johnedgintondocumentaries
GENESIS PLAYLIST - FULL INTERVIEWS & shorter sections kzbin.info/aero/PL4...
PHIL COLLINS PLAYLIST - • PHIL COLLINS UP CLOSE

[@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES]

Thanks for viewing this video ! Please subscribe for more of my amazing original Phil Collins and Genesis interviews! John

[@acousticmotorbike2118]

The influence of soul music on Phil is very obvious which drove his solo career. Decent bloke. Great songwriter and contructor of melodies.

[@crnkmnky]

British musicians do seem to wear their love of American soul on their sleeves. ❤️

[@pataleno]

These guys were absolute workaholics. The best musicians ever for me. I Can’t believe they made time for marriages as well.

[@crnkmnky]

Well…

[@blakeudell]

(Phil Collins disliked that)

[@TartempionLampion]

What's the point in doing 2 shows a night to sell more tickets when you're already rich. Did they enjoy such a life ? ☹🤔

[@crnkmnky]

I think the concert promoters make those type of arrangements, not the band. Playing music is their job. It's the life they chose to live. It's not _just_ about the money though. Most of them love to perform.

[@BodaciousWench]

@@TartempionLampion for the fans, maybe

[@jimmycampbell78]

Phil is so modest

[@womanofgod2772]

This is the man, that gave me the desire to learn how to play drums at my age 57. I always wanted to play the sax, but because of heart issues I couldn’t. God bless you Phil, you are a gem.

[@wesmantooth5908]

If he’s talking about the Savoy, that’s 1982 I believe. His voice was the best it ever was on that your. Absolutely love him. Fortunate enough to see him solo in ‘85 in Saratoga and with Genesis in ‘92 in Syracuse

[@sinkingisland7769]

I love Phil Collins and always will. I wish I knew him personally.

[@nigelcarren]

I am working with a mastering engineer at the moment who used to be an air steward. It was whilst he was a Steward that he said he met Phil Collins on three occasions. No idea which airport it was but Phil used to ask to hide in the staff-room until the flight was ready to avoid any paparazzi. On the third occasion, not only did he remember my friend's name, but he also remembered how he took his tea... White no sugar! He said that the nicest famous folks he ever met were Mr Collins and Depeche Mode. 🇬🇧🏆

[@txmetalhead82xk]

We all got to know who he was through his songs. A quiet, empathetic, dynamically talented musical artist. He changed my life.

[@sinkingisland7769]

@@nigelcarren Fabulous! Thank you for sharing this!

[@Wyndy57]

@@nigelcarren 💙 I'm not surprised! I think he is one of the nicest men/celebtrity. I love him for his talent/music, and I admire and respect him for the man he is. 🥰

[@calfolk7381]

Phil’s singings at the end of, “it’s gonna get better” sends shivers down me spine 🤟🏼

[@mccloysong]

Wow, it's amazing 1:33 I'm so relieved to not be alone in wondering how my voice works. Too much rest and it's "use-it-or-lose-it", not enough and it's vocal cord abuse. It isn't easy singing for a couple of hours. And kudos to the interviewer who asks a question and gets out of the way.

[@mikearchibald744]

me too, my dad is old and can't talk as well, so likely there is something that creates that humidity naturally that degrades over time. I'm not quite as old but have the same problem so I'm going to try a humidifyer and suggest it to my dad. Might work. And he can thank Phil if it does:)

[@geoffreyjonathanwilson9932]

Always liked Phil a lot. Very candid and down to earth person.And ovcourse a great artist.☺️

[@Redplanetfilms1]

Hi John! Steve O here, your New York soundman. I remember this interview and it was nice that the documentary helped reunite Phil with Genesis and then onto a tour. I know he has been going through physical issues now, but great that people got to see him live.

[@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES]

Hi Steve! Good to hear from you !

[@Redplanetfilms1]

@@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES Hope you are well!

[@raybishop1130]

First time I saw Genesis was the second show; Liverpool, 9 Jan 1977.

[@jimw6659]

Ahh, brilliant. I thought that these interviews might have been exhausted; I’m glad I was wrong! Fingers crossed that there might be some longer form ones to come. Thanks again, John.

[@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES]

There’s a longer form interview that this clip comes from. Much of it is already on the channel in different clips. However some enthusiasts might find the whole uncut piece interesting. Coming very soon.

[@jimw6659]

@@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES Exactly what I was hoping for :)

[@thebod1]

@@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES That would be great! These are historical gems!

[@dalroth10]

A fascinating insight into the life of a professional touring musician and singer. Phil Collins has achieved so much and has many talents to be very proud of in my humble opinion.

[@QueenPaulaBanks]

I love Phil Collins Voice. Phil Collins is one of a kind.

[@alexcarratu5554]

Great singer, drummer and pleasant guy. Thank you for your music, Mr Collins. Your music will continue to inspire others.

[@jamescpotter]

I attended the Genesis "midnight" show on 4/7/76 at The Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA (just outside of Philly). The second show started at 10:30pm and cruised beyond 12:30 am. What a gas that was. The lads were not short of energy. Everyone was working on all cylinders.

[@carminelombardi9575]

Great vocal insights from a legend, as one that is a singer, I greatly appreciate this.

[@deletebilderberg]

Thanks for everything you do John. 😀👍

[@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES]

Thanks ! So nice of you!

[@mikesullivan5219]

I was lucky I got to see Genesis at Macky auditorium in Boulder December 1975. One of those great concerts of the seventies that you'll never experience again! I like the speaker cabinet, behind in video, Those are not acoustic single or multiple diffusers ! Would like to know the design or builder! Cosmic with multiple ports..... I've never seen anything like it but what I want to know is how does it sound Phil should give a demo.....oh yea thanks Phil.... concert 1975 over the top production with laser show unseen since! Fantastic singing and band production at the stadium...

[@kingkillah101]

I love us rock singers : "ah, we just f'in sang!"

[@txmetalhead82xk]

Make a joyful noise! Seriously, I hear you. I have always been singing, but was in my Prime between 7-10.

[@TheTruthseeker59]

one of the greatest and possibly one of the most underappreciated musicians on the planet!

[@mantis1977]

Great content and such insight! Thank you putting this together!

[@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES]

My pleasure!

[@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES]

My pleasure!

[@totogroove]

Pure genius. Period.

[@renatocolucci8356]

The best ♥️

[@patriciadenis8767]

Phil still THE BEST in 2022. The Perfection. Hope he comes back soon. In the world of music, retirement is not good for your health... From Paris, Thank you so much for this documentary. Phil Collins is my Favorite !

[@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES]

merci patricia !

[@michaelkeudel8770]

Phil is done, his health is shot, he's frail and incapable to continue.

[@sarac.3259]

@@michaelkeudel8770 Thanks for that. Bet you're fun at parties (if you get asked to any). 🥳

[@michaelkeudel8770]

@@sarac.3259 I saw the last Buffalo Genesis show, poor Phil struggled through that tour, but from listening to various shows on the tour, we got Phil's best performance to my ears. I suffer from 4 herniated disks and nerve damage in my back, so I feel Phil's pain literally, so I speak from experience.

[@crnkmnky]

@@sarac.3259 The truth hurts. As Michael said, Phil gave us the very best show he could in 2021-22. Indeed retirement hasn’t been good for him, but I think this one will have to stick…

[@mrsappletree888]

An amazing work amount these days.

[@simoncooper5803]

Fantastic John.

[@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES]

Cheers!

[@24hoursadaywithbobr]

I'm sure glad I got to see them. Duke-1980

[@cosmicdrifter287]

Cheers!Mr Edginton,very interesting.

[@michaelmarino3013]

Insane lifestyle. Thank you !

[@bmcbg]

saw Phil at the Astrodome back in the day, great memories

[@ht-dd9gn]

....'Phil' We Love You 🙌🏻💜🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻💫👌🏻💛💛

[@Paul-dw2cl]

if a professional singer is having a bad vocal-day, they still have to get in front of a big crowd and sing (poorly) and then get criticized publicly for it. That’s rough.

[@100puremustard5]

Absolutely correct about keeping the vocals chords lubricated. Shame he never did get the hang of it LOL

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a great weekend

[@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES]

Thank you! You too!

[@TalkinProudStudiosLtd]

Looking good Phil

[@Tjoppy]

This is from 2014 so already 8 years ago.

[@beverlykrebs4372]

Ah, Phil Collins. I was 26 in '85, & fell in love with this man. I was convinced that if I could just meet him once, he would fall in love with me. (I was a really cute & sweet girl back then! At least I'm still sweet! Lol!) I wanted to marry him. I almost got to meet him on the Invisible Touch tour in Virginia. Didn't get to another show until this past Nov. in North Carolina. When he took the stage I burst into tears, as I never dreamed I would get to see Genesis do another concert. I am happily married now for 32 years, but I still really do love that man! ☺️💜

[@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES]

A very sweet comment Beverley.

[@peterdixon7734]

They did postpone Portsmouth in 1980 because he had laryngitis. However, when they rescheduled it, he was back on form. It was technically still the And Then There Three tour, in addition to the Duke tour. Still, Genesis owe me the petrol money from Guilford to Portsmouth. Probably about £3.

[@jamesdyer5305]

The clock is fine with me, but either way, I'll be looking forward to more of your interviews.

[@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES]

Thanks for your feedback!

[@davidbrucemusicvideo]

He didn’t mention that you need to stay out of air-conditioning. Air conditioning takes humidity out of a room, and it does the same thing to your vocal cords. I play music and sing full-time for a living, usually between 185 and 200 shows a year, and even if I go into a store or a bank with air-conditioning on a date with Gig, it will immediately start screwing up my voice.

[@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES]

Fascinating info. Thanks ! I’m curious- what’s your performing name?

[@dcma]

He mentioned it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iomQiZVra7yUitk

[@mohomoho1]

I was at the Savoy show. I don't remember them playing two nights there. I slept outside overnight to stand against stage in front of MR. They used one song for Three Sides Live from Savoy. Misunderstanding?

[@NickNicometi]

Phil is likeable.

[@jas_bataille]

I practice falsetto and run every morning, but record in my lowest voice in the morning. I drink a lot or else...! Water of course. BTW I actually quite liked that you left the timecode in the corner even if it was an accident! It had an air of seriousness to the whole thing and make it feel like an archive piece I just discovered! :)

[@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES]

That’s good to know. Thanks!

[@colinohare]

Yeah! Its quite a balance and we all have our rituals . He's completely right about Alcohol Smoking and yes Steaming is a great tip .

[@samb1110]

Phil said he didn't smoke but I'm sure I remember a photo in one of the Armando Gallo books where he is indeed smoking, circa 1976/77.

[@WintersWar]

as a prop for a photo maybe. not a habit.

[@samb1110]

@@WintersWar possibly. It certainly wasn't a photo shoot, they were relaxing by a pool, but may still have been a prop, done for a bit of a lark. I suppose someone will know.

[@agentknyne]

@@WintersWar i doubt it was props. Phil has always been open about puffing on weed. I thinks he means habitually on traditional cigarettes.

[@WintersWar]

@@agentknyne Not that I doubt the veracity of your claim, but I have never heard Phil Collins or any Genesis member praise or show any propensity for weed. They just weren't that type of a band, unlike grateful dead, etc...

[@agentknyne]

@@WintersWar I'll get some links together for you :)

[@turnerthemanc]

I love John Edgintons interviews. He finds a way of being a catalyst. Theres no "world in action "silence going on here. More like, "less is more"

[@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES]

Thank you. Much appreciated!

[@LS030]

💞

[@adkc19]

For me, Phil Collins, Seconds Out. Definitive Genesis.

[@kaveman1021]

The greatest live rock album, period.

[@oggfish]

The voice is a very complex thing indeed. Sometimes it wears down the more shows you do, and sometimes the voice gets better with each show. You can wake up with a hoarse throat, feeling bad thinking that the next show that night will be a disaster while It can be the best night you ever had! I`m even doubting if singing lessons, lax vox, vaporizers helps at all after you learned some decent basic technique. I just don't trust anymore what people say and certainly not listen to my own thoughts that come up.

[@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES]

Thanks. That’s fascinating

[@mortuaryartist]

Hi john, hope you are well.

[@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES]

I am thanks!

[@evankeal]

I have tried to sing his songs from age 11 to 52 now, mostly the more aggressive stuff (In The Cage for example), I understand what he was going for every syllable. Phil chased that vocal fry (distorted vocal chords), it was never easy or natural for him, and much much less for myself, but sometimes, for reasons that will never be known, certain days are easier than other days. He had a good run from 80 to 88 hitting that vocal fry.

[@crnkmnky]

I sing “Turn It On Again” and “Mama” at karaoke. Then I go back and listen to Phil… “I can show you, *Aahh-aahhh!* can show you!” 🐆🤔 Nope, I haven’t figured out vocal fry or growls… certainly not without hurting myself. 🤕

[@drivventodrumm1]

I wasn’t a huge fan until I heard his live stuff on Pandora.

[@Paul-dw2cl]

keeping your voice good is extremely difficult. even for me just playing guitar and singing around a campfire, or singing karaoke. there are so many things you can’t do, and so many things you have to do

[@avaspielberg3144]

Being a professional opera/jazz singer, there are many variables that come into play. Is the room hot or cold outside total different stories. After opera lessons I can sing anything. Vocalizing is very important almost every day. Technique is key. And for those asking no. I do not sing jazz in a high register I sing midrange when singing pop which I don't sing much. To many tunes. Jazz sung in midrange. Blessings and Peace drink warm lemon water prior to singing. Also must eat 3 hrs before gig to sustain energy levels. Can't eat right before because need all energy to sing esp 3 hrs straight. Yet you do not want your body doing double duty: Singing and digesting

[@verwesne8121]

And here you have Freddie Mercury who smoked and drank 😂. Love Phil ❤

[@annamaj2943]

Sta'meglio di aspetto rispetto agli ultimi concerti

[@evansclan4eva49]

Peter Gabriel IS the voice.

[@peterdixon7734]

Other rock voices fared less well. Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull - voice got a bit thinned out by 1987. Fish from Marillion - similar. Jon Anderson of Yes is still singing like a bird. Amazing. Yes did very long tours, so those must have strengthened his voice Phil-style. Roy Harper was going strong at 50+, and Peter Hammill and Annie Haslam are gods.

[@fattommy4436]

Not rock, but I’ll add one - I saw Stevie Wonder in 2012 and his voice was absolutely phenomenal! He was 61. I couldn’t believe it, he was better than any of his recordings, just toying with the high notes and extending from them.

[@jaggass]

I noticed how much stronger his voice got after 1978 and sounded mostly the same til 1992. He needed steroid shots to get through Genesis and solo tours to ease the strain on his vocal cords. He set the vocal bar fairly high back then and his range was starting to decline in the early 90's. Not surprised at all.

[@JoeDiVitaMusic]

I never noticed that, but now that you mention it, you are right. The timbre of his voice became ever so slightly darker in the 90s as well. Makes sense: that would put him in his early 40s. Apparently it's not that uncommon as I'm having a similar experience right now, 🙄 lol.

[@jaggass]

@@JoeDiVitaMusic Phil's vocal problems may have been happening as early 87 as he could still reach high notes but ducked alot of them too. He didn't do it as much on the Serious Hits Live tour but some songs did get dropped in key like Against All Odds as he had trouble singing it in original key then when it came to The Way We Walk tour he avoided lots of high notes because he couldn't reach them anymore. Mama is a good example and was only played 4 times. Both Sides marked a huge change in Phil's voice as it became deeper and more nasally.

[@paulkeilman3510]

Those steroid injections I wonder had something to do with the back and drop foot issues that hamper him now.

[@jaggass]

@@paulkeilman3510 It can make your bones very brittle.

[@kaveman1021]

The steroid shots are what ultimately damaged his voice, his neck and his back.

[@due_2477]

what tour is this video referring to?

[@krob5375]

11 shows in 9 days. How many big bands would even dream of doing that these days. Probably none.

[@hubertvancalenbergh9022]

On p. 107 of Armando Gallo's book Genesis the Evolution of a Rock Band (1979) there's a picture of Phil smoking a cigarette.

[@crnkmnky]

Another commenter mentioned this book, which led to a discussion of Phil’s alleged cannabis enthusiasm rather than tobacco use. 🤔

[@Wyndy57]

To crnkmnky: And now Marijuana is the "cure" for so many people suffering pain, seizures, etc. And its so much more available and decriminalized alot. I honestly hope/pray that Phil can get a lot of relief from his back/leg with it, arm/hand. 🥰 It breaks my heart that you have to suffer!!💔🥺😢 Just don't take it across (country or state) borders though Phil, it might get you into trouble. 😲😳 🚔🛑🛂

[@TheSonofafrog316]

which tour is he talking about? 1986/87?

[@justintime42000]

On April 7 and 8, 1976, Genesis played two shows for two days in a row! The first date wax near Philadelphia at The Tower Theater and the second was at The Beacon Theatre in NYC. It’s a good thing that was the only time it happened. Nobody should sing that long in a day, especially 2 days in a row. But Phil was a trooper. I bet he told their management NEVER AGAIN though, and rightly so.

[@marcomontandon5172]

I really don't understand why Phill Collins who is a great artist,great drummer,stupend composer diminish himself excusing himself for left Genesis that became stuck in time unable to creat new good compositions and good album while Phill built an wonderful pleasant solo career .

[@simonpaine2347]

Didn't even notice the clock ticking. Don't worry about it.

[@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES]

Thanks!

[@johnirby4791]

He drinks honey n tea

[@ThaiThom]

Hoo hoo hoo and steam rooms.

[@stefanstrittmatter6459]

how he kept his voice: he doesn't know

[@NobleWarrior]

ill collins

[@HiFi-Yeah]

Why is everything yellow-ish?

[@JDNicoll]

Don’t whisper on an airplane? Was that a joke?

[@KieranIsHome]

He doesn't mean whispering on an airplane, just whispering in general - which is true! Whispering actually puts strain on your vocal cords, and as a singer in the long run, that can affect your voice - a quick google search will show you this is in fact true.

[@Wyndy57]

@@KieranIsHome 💙 I can vouch for that. At work I dealt with the public. When I lost my voice, I tried not to use my voice, so I smiled and nodded a lot. But when I had to convey information, I whispered as loud as I could. That was absolutely brutal!! It actually made it 100 times worse and took longer to recover!😝😫

[@bluefish1875]

I watched the show......you didn't keep your voice!!!! You were not even in time!!!

[@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES]

Which show are you talking about? Phil was referring to a period in the early 80s !!

[@bluefish1875]

@@JOHNEDGINTONDOCUMENTARIES I was referring to the recent concerts John, I do like Genesis and Collins but lets be frank the recent performances were atrocious!!

[@harrynewiss4630]

But then he let his voice go and still kept trying to sing which was embarrassing

[@chrisw5742]

ehhh it's not like he is a death metal singer. lmaoooooooooooooooooo gtfo

[@KieranIsHome]

You don't need to be a death metal singer to know doing 11 shows in 9 days is enough strain on ANYBODY'S voice. You have to remember this was during the period when they were playing Supper's Ready every single night. You've any idea how difficult the high notes on the 666 verse are? EXTREMELY hard, one of the hardest Genesis songs to sing.

[@MarkGuinn59]

Never liked him. Highly overrated. Screams a lot.