Pop and rock legend Phil Collins, 75, revealed to the Sunday Times that he suffered life-threatening alcoholism in recent years, leading to a seven-month hospital stay in November 2023 with failing kidneys and pancreas. According to Collins, his organs were seizing up to the point where friends and family gathered to say goodbye, and doctors questioned whether to keep him on life support before he recovered and stopped drinking entirely.
Phil Collins Details Seven-Month Hospitalization After Alcohol Relapse
Musician Phil Collins opened up about a severe health crisis stemming from a battle with alcohol, sharing details of a lengthy hospitalization that occurred in late 2023. According to the Sunday Times, the 75-year-old artist revealed that his relapse began after he stopped taking Antabuse, a medication designed to cause physical illness if alcohol is consumed, which he had relied on following an earlier period of alcohol abuse.
Collins described drinking wine at breakfast time, a habit that severely damaged his pancreas and kidneys. By November 2023, the internal damage became so critical that he required hospital admission, staying under medical care for seven months.
“There were some decisions to be made about ‘Do we keep Phil on life support?’ kind of thing,” Collins told the Sunday Times, describing the severity of his condition. “My kidneys were packing up, my organs were just seizing up. People were coming to say goodbye. But I don’t remember them coming, I didn’t have no idea this was going on.”
Family members gathered at the hospital fearing they would not see him again, unaware at the time whether he would pull through. “I was very lucky to have come out of that. Needless to say, I haven’t had a drink since,” Collins added.
Prior Struggles With Alcohol and Public Health Challenges
This recent medical emergency follows a well-documented history of health battles for the former Genesis frontman. In 2015, Collins spoke candidly to Rolling Stone about a period of heavy drinking that followed his 2006 divorce from his third wife, Orianne Cevey. At the time, he admitted that isolation and free time fueled his alcohol consumption, noting that it almost cost him his life before he managed a temporary period of sobriety.
Beyond his struggle with addiction, Collins has faced severe physical setbacks that altered his touring career. According to the Guardian, he underwent major surgeries for problems with his neck and spine. The resulting nerve damage left him unable to play the drums, forcing him to perform seated and restrict his role to vocals during the Genesis reunion tour.
Did You Know?
Phil Collins took over lead vocal duties in Genesis after Peter Gabriel left the group in 1975. He successfully transformed the band from progressive rock favorites into mainstream hit-makers, securing five consecutive UK number-one albums throughout the 1980s and early 1990s alongside a massive solo career.
Musical Legacy and Career Milestones
As one of the most commercially successful musicians in British history, Collins built a dual legacy as both a band leader and a solo superstar. Alongside his success with Genesis, his solo output yielded four UK number-one albums during the same era, driven by enduring tracks such as “Against All Odds,” “Easy Lover,” and “In the Air Tonight.”
After releasing his covers album Going Back in 2010, Collins stepped away from the music industry for a four-year retirement. He returned to the spotlight in 2015, explaining to Rolling Stone that he wanted his younger children, who were in diapers during his previous global outings, to witness his live performances firsthand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Phil Collins stop playing the drums?
Collins stopped playing the drums due to severe health issues involving his neck and spine that required major surgery and left him with nerve damage.
When was Phil Collins hospitalized for organ failure?
Collins was hospitalized in November 2023 for seven months due to severe damage to his pancreas and kidneys caused by heavy alcohol intake.
What was Phil Collins’ last solo album?
His most recent solo release is the 2010 covers album titled Going Back.
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