Phil Collins gave fans a rare update about his ailing health in his newly released documentary, “Phil Collins: Drummer First.”
The health update comes a full two years after the legendary star retired from drumming. The documentary was released Dec. 18 and takes a deep dive into Collins’ current health condition. He spoke of his inability to continue doing what he’s most passionate about — playing the drums.
“It’s still kind of sinking in a bit,” he admitted in an interview segment filmed in October 2022. “I’ve spent all my life playing drums. To suddenly not be able to do that is a shock,” Collins said.
The 73-year-old singer and musician said he had been playing drums since the age of 5. After several decades, “the drumming has taken its toll on my hands, legs,” he said.
“If I can’t do what I did as well as I did it, I’d rather relax and not do anything,” Collins said.
BERLIN, GERMANY – MARCH 07: British singer and drummer Phil Collins of the band Genesis performs live on stage during a concert at Mercedes Benz Arena on March 7, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Gina Wetzler/Redferns) Getty Images
Phil Collins, Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio during The Actors’ Fund 2006 Gala at Cipriani in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Tim Grant/WireImage)
MIAMI BEACH, FL – NOVEMBER 15: Singer and drummer Phil Collins attends the 4th Annual Dreaming on the Beach Gala at Fillmore Miami Beach on November 15, 2018 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Desiree Navarro/Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY – JUNE 07: British singer Phil Collins performs live on stage during a concert at the Olympiastation on June 7, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Frank Hoensch/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 29: Phil Collins of Genesis performs during their “The Last Domino?” Tour at Little Caesars Arena on November 29, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott Legato/Getty Images)
“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,” he said.
Collin’s son Nic spoke about the impact that the Genesis star’s career has had on the drummer’s body. He admitted his father had devoted his life to his music and was now paying the consequences through the toll it took on his physical health.
“Musicians, people in bands in general had this thought that they were invincible,” Nic said in the documentary.
“I think that’s really what it is with my dad is just this kind of sense of you’re a drummer, you’re invincible, you do what you do. But you don’t know it’s gonna take a toll in the long run.”
Nic followed in his father’s footsteps by also becoming a drummer. He noted that his father had a “big surgery on his neck [in 2015] that stemmed from all those years playing drums and bad posture.”
Collins also suffers from drop-foot, where one of his feet has no sensation and requires the use of a cane to walk. (RELATED: NFL Legend Randy Moss Asks For Prayers Amid Health Battle)
Collins retired from playing the drums in March 2022.
“Phil Collins: Drummer First” is available to stream on YouTube.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
