5 Phil Collins Drum Grooves

[@Steedonline]

Phil Collins was probably one of the top 3 drummers of his generation. Too many people recall him by his bubblegum hits of the 80s but he was one if the best drummers that ever existed. And self-taught for that matter.

[@Joho12041979]

@C. Doom Schneider Fine, top 90 then.

[@nickavenoso7851]

C. Doom Schneider people have opinions lol

[@lajollascott]

@C. Doom Schneider TIL that people born 34 years apart are part of the same generation, even though one is considered The Greatest Generation (1917) and one is considered a Baby Boomer (1951). Well, well--live and learn.

[@r-teamexpress3727]

C. Doom Schneider it’s not a question of technique,Phil Collins played like Gilmour.The right note at thé right place

[@erotomaniac51]

C. Doom Schneider you sound like fast drummers are the best drummers

[@riccardochifari9289]

Collins was in the same League of Bonham,Moon and Perth....and you give him the credits he deserves

[@josteinv.jordet257]

Neal Perth?

[@andrewkarp5067]

He was better than all of those cats.

[@nilsen589]

Sorry but Moon was 3 leagues below Phil or Bonham. Any schoolboy can play like Moon. Great energy and fun anyways.

[@ManOfThePeople75]

Moon was great, and so was Phil, but Peart and Bonham were godly.

[@Rondo2ooo]

@@ManOfThePeople75 This is not a competition, but Phil in his prime was better. Listen to Brand X Unorthodox Behavior for example. Bonham was great and Phil a big fan of him and still, he also never reached what Phil did in his prime.

[@buckjohnson2836]

25 years of struggling on these exact songs...and Nick fixes it for me in 20 minutes!! You are so THE MAN Nick.

[@kspocketngroove3973]

25 years? You should find another hobbie

[@peterlerro5909]

Hey Gil, don't feel bad. I've been playing Phil's grooves for 45 years and some took me longer than 25 to master. As my playing advanced and I revisited the grooves, they naturally fell into place. His style was unique and his phrasing was innovative. He wrote the rules in many ways. Keep playing!

[@adambrewer3169]

I love that you sang the most famous drum fill ever while sitting at a drum set

[@michaelgreene4816]

Teachers do that.

[@semajttam]

To be honest I'd say he doesn't need to play it. But most of the instructional vids (even mine) get it wrong 😂

[@AIGCS5803]

Phil Collins has been my favourite drummer for 40years, the most musical and technical rolled into one. I love Peart, Portnoy, Carey, Bruford and a host of others however Collins just does it all.

[@130leviatan]

the same, being a fan of rush, yes, genesis, uk... for me phil collins and bruford are in the top, but phil has an emotion in his drumming that is difficult to find, maybe also i can see it in carter bufourd (from dave matthews)

[@stephenbrown310]

Phil was a exceptional drummer, sadly he doesn’t play anymore. The drum duets with Chester Thompson were out of this world 🥁😀👍

[@csampang1]

What is cool about his son Nic playing these days on the solo tours (and the upcoming Genesis tour) is that Nic REALLY sounds like 1970s Phil in terms of flow and technique. I really felt it when I saw Phil do I Missed Again live in 2018 and 2019

[@derikandreoli5177]

When I read this comment, I cant help but sing it.... "I don't play anymore... you listening, I don't play anymore, no moooore... no more, no more"

[@nickavenoso7851]

@@csampang1 Nic did a great job with Phil on his solo tours and is doing great on the Last Domino tour.

[@mastersteve78]

Early Genesis is my favorite! Phil has been one of favorite drummers of all time!

[@peterlerro5909]

I'm 61 yo and have been plying genesis and brand X grooves since 1976. Phil's early work formed my basic understanding of the drums. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for the most enjoyable Sweetwater video. 5 MORE! 10 MORE! 50 MORE! Don't forget Bill Brurford and also John Weathers from Gentle Giant. You've created a monster!

[@michaelmccormick3983]

But how do i double up my bass drum strokes?

[@frankjaegervandlarssen6657]

Phil was exceptionally musically gifted. His rhythmical freedom made him a really unique and organic singer as well - especially obvious in the late 70s/early 80s live recordings. The vocals on "One for the Vine" from "Three Sides Live" are spine chilling.

[@arctics4]

Phil’s drumming with Robert Plant was also phenomenal.

[@paperguyeu]

Timestamps: 1. Watcher of the Sky 01:00 2. The Cinema Show 04:00 3. Down and Out 08:41 4. I Don’t Care Anymore 15:36 5. Take Me Home 21:47

[@michaelsstatement]

Without Phil I would not be a fulltime musician today. Phil is one of the most underrated drummer of all times.

[@mrtyreus0]

Honorable mention: Easy Lover. Sounds simple, but the way the bass drum follows the riff is 🔥

[@slurrydurry67]

This guy is cool, very calm and collected. What a joy to watch!

[@tommyp7547]

Best 30 minutes of my day. Thanks Nick.

[@musshwins412]

I had been playing drums about three years when a friend of mine turned me on to some early Genesis. "Get em' out by friday" was the first song i ever heard. I said "who is playing the drums?" my friend says "Phil Collins." i say "the singer?" he laughs and says "yes". He became one of my all time favorites....... i like him because he does everything i would never dare try.

[@KyleGushue]

Man these drums sound exceptional!

[@PeteKosmal]

Phil's the reason I'm a drummer. Love this!!

[@Panchohunter]

Me too

[@ShakingTwoTrees2012]

Me three!

[@gabrielefianco2065]

Me too

[@alencar5420]

You should have get an interview with Phil Collins. That would be great.

[@mikecoats2543]

Phil Collins, underrated, in an interview he stated he wasn't very a good drummer at first, then he got better, inspiration for us all.

[@Jerlwayne]

So good. IMO Phil is an underrated master. All these youngsters today only knowing Phil from Disney soundtracks...educate ‘em Nick!!

[@aidanbouw5224]

lol i forgot he did that

[@meytecc8601]

Phil Collins is one of the very few drummers you can always recognize, even when he plays a basic 4/4 for Eric Clapton or something. The sound doesn't even matter. You can somehow identify his swing. It's amazing.

[@maeu59]

The only thing missing here is clips from the actual songs to put it in context.

[@marcuzzo65]

Great work Nick! You've played in CALLING ALL STATION record, so you really know this band..

[@raptors13jays]

I love how much you love phil collins Nick.

[@Joesfosterdogs]

WHOA Nick...EXTREMELY articulate communication my man! You sound like a professional commentator who plays drums great. Love this...not a wasted word or note...impressed.

[@MrFtoudalk]

Dance On A Volcano, Dancing With The Moonlit Knight, and The lamb Lies Down... oh.. and so many more...And we haven't even talked about his Brand X tenure...

[@martinnoeken4465]

Yes, I wish this video would show some Brand X-Beats, they are a big challenge and I love all the wonderful ghost notes!

[@jimandjulia8261]

Nick, just great! Those of us in our 50’s lived these songs for many years and it means a lot hearing you demonstrate them. Bruford and Peart next?

[@KennethACrashwaggonMusic]

Another great one is the middle part of Robbery, Assault and Battery. And probably about 20 other tunes...

[@Poeme340]

My favorite-insane!👍

[@cintrepdchannel5854]

Apocalypse in 9/8 is pretty cool too

[@CraigDR]

Phil's drumming doesn't get nearly the respect it deserves. I think of him as a drummer first and singer a distant second (and he was a great singer!). I dare anyone to watch the perfect synchronization between Phil and Chester Thompson in their live material and not have they jaw hit the floor. Endless examples but take "In the Cage Medley" from Three Sides Live, for instance. Incredible.

[@massimolombardi1367]

Fountain of Salmacis is an exceptional example of swing,jazz drumming in prog rock and Phil was only 20 years old when played that!!

[@ronharsch3917]

Great analysis of Phil's drumming. He has always been a big influence and probably my favorite rock drummer.

[@scottya001]

Also worth checking out: Nuclear Burn (Brand X) and Ace of Wands (Steve Hackett).

[@rk41gator]

Phil consistently KILLS IT. Love his musicality. Genesis genius. (plus he makes it sound so EASY)

[@RobbieBise]

As a lifelong Phil fan, thank you for breaking this down to a musician who is not a drummer but completely understood everything you were teaching. I hope you would break down more of his work.

[@jbdrums2213]

The drums of the I Don't Care Anymore groove sound just like the original record ! Good job (playing and tuning)

[@brnby8984]

Excellent groove selection! "Take Me Home" is my all-time favorite melodic groove, particularly from the Serious Hits... Live performance. It lends itself to so many variations of sub fills

[@jatinderdevgun9093]

The teacher is obviously loving playing the grooves....Collins...what a legend

[@clintkearns3178]

Nick out here playing so good making the rest of us feel bad.

[@ripleyhrgiger4669]

Phil Collins will always be one of the most influential and of course musical drummers of all time. He was the rhythm of the 80's and bands all over the world have been influenced by his grooves, musicality, and of course his excitement and love for music. I saw Phil Collins live and it remains the best concert I've ever attended in my life and I saw David Bowie live (which was just phenomenal).

[@macmasks]

I love that you did this Nick. Phil was amazing on drums. I hope younger drummers know that, but so many others just think he is an adult contemporary singer.

[@LandofAfterglow]

Phil is probably his biggest influence.

[@kevintompkins9231]

Fantastic Nick! Phil has always been my favorite and most influential drummer.

[@noampitlik2332]

Your rendition of "I don't care anymore" is a good way to play it. The studio version was overdubbed, so they used a variety of arrangements in concert. I really like Chester Thompson's way of using the snare on the last few notes. Thanks.

[@randyv5678]

Chester & Phil were so nice to watch as almost a yin/yang along with the right/left setups....but....the snare is always in there, Chester was just always trying to break the snare head when he struck it! LOL

[@bobloblaw8660]

Colony of Slippermen from The Lamb is awesome as well

[@joshubele8843]

Yes

[@MatthewClise]

I love when he's riding on the China cymbal in the 6/8 groove. With the ghost notes and everything, it almost sounds like Billy Cobham.

[@evankeal]

A master of different unique rhythm accents, the drum machine patterns for Man On The Corner, In The Air Tonight, Take Me Home and dozens more indicate he never was interested in recording beats anyone ever used before, they are freakishly unique.

[@forku5749]

If you watch Phil playing live, you'll see he's staring into the abyss, his legs and arms are moving effortlessly. It's like watching Clapton or Hendrix, the instruments flow thru them

[@remander3873]

I've always loved his emphasis on the toms. One of my favorites growing up. Sadly, never got to see him live.

[@officialdavidhale]

Glad to see I’ve been doing the Down and Out groove correctly. Check out my cover of it!

[@santibanks]

I guess the strength in Phil's playing is that he is always very relax in his performances. Even with busy parts, you still feel there is time and space. The rolls in Down and Out are the perfect example of that. It never feels rushed, there is always time and space, and most drummers cannot pull it off with that kind of relaxation. The I don't care anymore groove btw has more kicks. Phil plays them between the toms like he does on In the air tonight. And there is a version on KZbin of Take me home from the 1990 tour with the camera angle mostly on Chester. That guy is in total demand of this huge kit (some Sonor signature set from late 80ies with every piece in the catalog on it). It's not the notes (the groove itself is not difficult), it's the attitude to play it with which makes or breaks it. And I find that true for most of Phil's work. Genesis and his solo bands have this kind of attitude which they play the music with that brings everything together and makes it quantum tight. On the albums maybe not so much but live…

[@truefilm6991]

Phil is the reason why many drummers became drummers. His drumming is a part of the arrangement. His fills and grooves are endlessly quotable. His work live with Genesis from the late 70s through early 80s was insanely good - and Chester was the perfect choice to be his drumming buddy.

[@sweetwater]

😎🤘

[@garydean6503]

Phil Collins, simply one of my all time Favourite Drummers. Live well Phil , and God Bless .

[@ansanro8006]

was wondering nearly 35 years about that rhythm of Down And Out and counted it out as somewhat 5ish but your explanation about it made it clear for me. Thank you very much and carry on!!!

[@johngekchyan703]

That section of the The Cinema Show really sounds like John Bonham's drum part in The Crunge from the same year when isolated. Two amazing drummers it's crazy how good they were.

[@mariobianchi5685]

Down and out's groove is simply fantastic, and explained in every detail. And yes, Nick, for your sympathy and ease of communication you could easily have a second career as a television presenter 🙂

[@spinadude]

Keep up videos like this, Nick! I could watch lessons like this all day!

[@determinedsoul1]

Nick, you are such a great teacher. Thanks for explaining things the way you do. It's nice to understand your thought behind how you understand the beats. All the best.

[@enzonicita2000]

Thanks Nick...I love Phil Drums Grooves. He is my favorite drummer in the world. I grew up listening to him.

[@sweetwater]

Awesome!

[@dirkayala5812]

Most enjoyable Drum vid I've watched all the way through in a While!... Thanks Sweetwater & Thanks Nick!!!!

[@arthurazoubel5344]

I mean, a half an hour video just talking about Phil Collins drumming, what's to dislike in here?? I really don't get these people

[@BillPalmer]

Arthur Azoubel Just missing the other 30 hours of it 😁

[@susieq965]

If you don’t like Phil... You don’t know music-PERIOD!

[@prickyX]

Unquiet slumbers for sleepers, Dance on a Volcano, Wot Gorilla, more great grooves.

[@andrewmcgee1001]

Thanks so much for that Nick..it's so cool to see a phenomenal musician such as yourself (your body of work in Spock's Beard alone continually blows me away) to demonstrate some of the technical aspects of one of your mentors and heroes..Prog rock LIVES!!

[@njdrummer7120]

It’s great to watch Phil at Live Aid playing drums w Clapton and many others. He can just jump in and jam w everyone. Incredible

[@MadDoc-df4kw]

Nick is an outstanding drummer in his own right......and a fantastic teacher. Really impressed with his ability to make “next level” drumming very digestible.

[@smgoethe]

The live versions of Cinema Show, as well as Supper's Ready and the Apocalypse in 9/8 are just A M A Z I N G. Agree with Kenneth, about 20 other tunes :-). Check out the drum sound in "Through These Walls" from the '82 album, juste awesome. Great job Nick, enjoyed a lot watching it. Phil has always been my favourite drummer, he made me start at the age of 15, I remained amateur though.. All the best and keep it up!!

[@timperley69]

Brilliant breakdown of Phil's work Nick

[@antoniosiclari6525]

Phil per me è stato il più creativo di tutti i batteristi stile assolutamente inconfondibile

[@kooskansloos4834]

Great video. The signature sound of Phil Collins was unmistakable in the eighties. As a guest or session musician, you could recognise him in a.o. 'I know there's something going on' by Frida and of course 'Do they know it's Christmas' By band Aid.

[@EixtremeDrummer]

I am glad to have followed Collins from his first contribution to Genesis, my biggest influence. An underrated enormeus drummer most known by his solo career hits later. His creativity with Genesis specially from 1971 to 1980 was simply impressive.

[@KenHada]

Love this, and I love Phil's drumming

[@Defleshuary]

It has been too long since I've listened to early Genesis. So good!

[@hugoandresnunezgonzalez1949]

Wot gorilla? From Wind and Wuthering album of Genesis Amazing drum groove!!!

[@bobafettt6976]

Out of all of the drum tutorial stuff on KZbin you've got one of the best feel and pocket dude. Beautifully done. Really solid and passionate playing

[@losvegasoficial]

This was so Good!!!! Thanks

[@gregmgm06]

Everything about this video is great......Nicks playing is exceptional!

[@ZeeDahktah]

Love your playing and how you break it down. And Phil was the man!

[@Jellybeantiger]

One of my greatest inspirations,gday from Melbourne,Australia.

[@yourdrummer2034]

Phil Collins is definitely no slouch on drums. Excellent video, Nick!

[@moondog303]

Wow. I’m not a drummer but this is amazing to watch and learn!! Amazing.

[@celestialvoyager82]

Phil Collins is criminally underrated as a drummer

[@jesse_cole]

The second he started talking about what brand of drums and cymbals Collins used, I was reminded I’m watching a Sweetwater video.

[@carloswpizarro]

Recently I discovered he played with Brian Eno!!! Amazing drumming!!!

[@randyv5678]

Just research how many people he collaborated with....the list is a mile long. (Some drumming, some writing, some singing, etc. etc.)

[@BillPalmer]

Carlos W Pizarro pretty sure Eno produced some of their albums

[@timallbritton7329]

The 7/8 groove on Cinema Show is the best 7/8 groove ever. It's my go-to thing for 7/8. He re-defined that shit. OK, until Three of a Perfect Pair.

[@pelegbennon5271]

I really like the 7/8 grooves in dance on a volcano

[@timallbritton7329]

@@pelegbennon5271 Definitely!

[@scottgould3381]

Nice picks, Nick! I could watch you play and listen to Phil beats all day.

[@monty6545]

1978 And then there were three what a fabulous album this is. Phil in Brand X track Nuclear Burn... Great session Nick .

[@markcastillo2757]

Collins is one of the best drummers period

[@AmanDa-kl7fv]

This is a great Video, helps me alot, to feel better about my tries with Phil Collins Grooves like Don't loose my number, One more night, and inside out (Wich I try to learn for over 8 years) And having these instructions from the Drummer who played on Calling All stations and who replaced Phil in Genesis is a great joy to watch, thanks Sweetwater and NDV. (-: ( my main Problems with these Grooves are the Hihat Pattern in sixteenth notes, wich are the main reason, why I want to learn these exact songs. )

[@LarsErikDahle]

Nick, that made my day. Drummer, frontman and teacher - all killer. And Phil Collins deserves much more praise for his drumming. Great pocket, inventive grooves.

[@musicmathieu]

Much appreciated video and demonstration of a great artist and drummer. Such a wealth of songs that could have been chosen! Cheers!

[@trunkshope6]

phil collins is the best,i dont know why it took me forever to really apreciate his stuff other than his tarzan soundtrack.

[@elusive1970]

Soooo much respect for Phil. Great player, love his sound and his musical ideas behind the kit. Great video too. Very well explained

[@raptors13jays]

5 more please!!

[@robinsd4]

Perfect song choice and perfect execution!

[@AlexisMigueles]

Brand X "Nuclear Burn" (or any song from the disc, Phil Collins in his prime)

[@r.a.fiallos234]

Excellent video form a freakin' drum legend. I encourage everyone to check out Nick's work in Spock's Beard and Big Big Train. This guy is a master. Sweetwater has a legit progressive rock legend in their stable. Oh yeah, and who in the heck would give this very helpful video a thumbs down??? Jeez....

[@peterlerro5909]

Thanks, R. A. Ever since I started watching the Sweetwater videos I've come to research and enjoy a bunch of Nick's work.

[@brianvratoric]

I agree 💯 This Dude is awesome 🥁 Drummer. This is the first time I saw a Sweetwater video like this and I am very impressed.😎😎

[@nathanmeans1548]

And don't forget that Nick actually played on Genesis' last album, after Phil left.

[@andrewkarp5067]

Also, check out his fantastic work playing drums for Fates Warning, on the DVD Live From Athens. They were in between the Great Mark Zonder and the great Bobby Jarzombek. Big Big Train are brilliant. Kevin Gilbert’s posthumous album “The Shaming of the True”. Nick basically finished that record, playing many instruments. A reunion gig with Kevin Gilbert’s Giraffe, performing “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, and many more. A very accomplished cat.

[@MrFritzinger]

Dear Nick, please do a follow up to this video. I'd love to hear your take on so many other great Collins-grooves, like Find A Way To My Heart, Wot Gorilla?, Apocalypse in 9/8, In That Quiet Earth or Dance On A Volcano.

[@boombap28]

Does anyone remember when Nick did some drum tracks for the Genesis album “…Calling All Stations…” ?

[@sweetwater]

Who better than Nick D to show you these five classic Phil Collins drum grooves! Like if you, uh, Like the video, Comment with your favorite Phil Collins drum groove, and Subscribe for more great videos like this one!

[@blackasthesky]

I am glad you chose the earlier years. These are the years people who are not into prog mostly don't know. I very much enjoy Big Big Train (actually, in the moment from Genesis, Yes and Big Train are the only songs I actively practice) and all the genesis influences made me smile the first time I listened to BBT albums right away -- not only, but mostly the drum parts, bc that's my instrument. The first Big Big Train I heard was "The First Rebreather", and I pretty much instantly bought English Electric Pt. 1 and 2. I never really had a real drum idol, but if I'd have to name one, it would definitely be Mr. D'Virgilio.

[@demonicsweaters]

Loved the down and out breakdown, that one always kinda baffled me

[@edvanesch178]

If you want to see Phil play the 7/8 Cinema Show drumgroove live, then watch Genesis live The Mama Tour (1983'/ 1984'). It's played in the medley right after In The Cage. One of my favorite Phil grooves is the groove in the Genesis song Just A Job To Do.

[@bobweber4140]

Fantatastic breakdown thankyou for this Phil’s playing in brand x is insane nice job bro

[@petersapira917]

Great job breaking down these beats

[@turnerthemanc]

I totally agree on Cinema show. Its a precis of everything he does well. Dont forget the tuning of that kit and the miking up. Its the best I heard on any album

[@Esrom_music]

That 7 groove on cinema show is my favorite beat. Love it