In the 1980s, Phil Collins was one of the most successful musicians in the world, not only for his work with Genesis but also for the acclaimed albums he released as a solo artist. He eventually became one of the few musicians to sell more than 100 million records both as a solo performer and as a member of a band.
Over the years he talked about many other popular acts from that era, including Queen, originally formed by Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor.
What is Phil Collins’ opinion on Queen and Freddie Mercury
Phil Collins is a fan of Queen and Freddie Mercury. He had the chance to see them live a few times and praised the late musician, saying he was a “one-off” and that there were few people as talented as he was. “I was in my tour in Australia and happened to cross paths with Queen. I went backstage he was leaving (Freddie), it was backstage before the show. (There was his) hairdresser (also people doing his make up and he was) drinking his vodka (as he was going to the stage). That night when I saw the Queen show none of their lights worked. The computer had gone out.”
“Freddie was completely being passed on microphones because (they were not working properly). The thing that struck me was that as I was going backstage and I said ‘Please believe me, everybody didn’t notice it”. They had everything that could possibly go wrong (that night) and still was a good show. I kinda have a soft spot for Queen. Freddie is a one-off. You don’t get too many people like him,” Phil Collins said in the documentary “Queen Magic Years” (1987).
Brian May is a Phil Collins and Genesis fan
When Genesis reunited in 2007, Brian May attended their show and was even filmed greeting Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason, who was also at the concert. At the time he posted a review on his website, saying: “I loved the Genesis concert. I don’t think it would be possible to see a better all-round production, music, sound, set, lights, and sheer fun. (Also) warmth (especially from the insanely über-talented and GREAT guy, Mr. Phil Collins).”
“I absolutely had a ball. You don’t see musicianship like that very often. I also like Twickenham Stadium as a venue …. MUCH more vibey than the sterile new Wembley. (…) I liked Genesis too (At Live Earth festival), their professionalism shines. But I liked seeing them in their own element next day, doing their own show, much better,” Brian May said.
The Genesis drummer and frontman became good friends with Queen and had the chance to perform with Brian May and Roger Taylor several times. At the Prince’s Trust Rock Gala in 1988, Phil Collins performed “The Letter” with May, John Deacon, and Joe Cocker. That night he also played “You Can’t Hurry Love” with Brian May on guitar.
Fourteen years later, in 2002, he performed the latter song again at Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee. But this time he had Roger Taylor on drums. At the same event, Collins and Brian May also played “With a Little Help From My Friends”, The Beatles’ cover with Joe Cocker on vocals.
Roger Taylor almost joined Genesis and John Deacon is a fan of Collins
John Deacon is also a fan of Phil Collins. In the 1980s, while talking with the Music Box channel, he was asked which artists he was listening to at the time. He said: “I like Phil Collins a lot. I like him a lot. I listen to a lot of Soul stuff, I quite like that sort of thing,” he said.
Curiously, Roger Taylor could have been Genesis’ drummer. When John Mayhew left the Progressive Rock group in 1970, they approached him. “Well, they invited me to the studio, then we went to the pub.”
“They didn’t say, ‘Do you want to join the group?’ But I get the impression that’s what they wanted because their drummer had left. I didn’t really get the music, to be honest, it was a bit too prog for me. But they’re all lovely people,” Roger Taylor told Classic Rock in 2020. The band fronted by Peter Gabriel at the time, decided to go on with Phil Collins, who had previously been a member of Flaming Youth.
In a 2014 interview with Record Collector, Taylor was asked whether his successful career as a songwriter, having written tracks like “Radio Ga Ga”, was “the drummer’s revenge.” He replied: “You’d better ask Phil Collins! I’m just trying to be a musician, really, and do the thing I love. It really is that simple. And play the guitar, and write songs, which is incredibly satisfying,” he said.