Phil Collins, one of the most successful artists of all time, has left his legion of fans heartbroken as he said goodbye in a touching final concert. Alongside his Genesis bandmates Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks, Collins performed his last show at the O2 in London, leaving fans in tears.

The ‘The Last Domino?’ Tour, which marked the band’s reunion after a 14-year hiatus, had been postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. In his farewell, Collins joked with the crowd about needing “a real job” now that the tour was over.

However, the farewell concert is not only due to the tour’s conclusion but also because of Collins’ ongoing health issues. In 2007, during a Genesis tour, he suffered a dislocated vertebrae in his upper neck while drumming. After undergoing surgery to repair the damage in 2009, he experienced numbness in his fingers and could only use drumsticks if they were taped to his hands. As a result, he has been using a cane since 2015 and has relied on his son, Nicholas Collins, to take care of the drums.

In an interview on the BBC Breakfast Show, Collins hinted that this could be his last tour due to physical limitations. While he would love to continue performing, he admitted that his health issues make it difficult for him to hold a drumstick. Despite feeling uncertain about the future, Collins expressed gratitude for the support he has received throughout his career.

Collins’ journey to becoming a legendary musician began in an unexpected way. Starting as a child actor, he secured his first major role playing the Artful Dodger in the West End musical Oliver!. At the age of 19, Collins joined the band Genesis as their drummer in 1970. Eventually, he transitioned to become the band’s lead singer in 1975 after Peter Gabriel’s departure.

While Collins initially had reservations about taking on the role of lead singer, he embraced the challenge and led the band to further success. After Genesis released five studio albums and toured the US, Collins’ talent and dedication made him an undeniable fit for the position.

In the 1980s, Collins embarked on a successful solo career and became one of the most popular pop singers of the decade. He made headlines by performing at the Live Aid concert and then quickly flying to Philadelphia to perform at a benefit show for African famine relief. Collins also explored acting, appearing in the iconic series Miami Vice and starring in the film Buster, where he played the lead role.

Now, at 71 years old, Collins has performed his final show, seated due to his health condition. Despite not practicing at home, he has found ways to adapt and deliver memorable performances to his loyal audience.

It’s clear that Phil Collins’ legacy will endure regardless of whether he can continue touring. His contribution to music and his remarkable career will be cherished and celebrated by fans worldwide. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors and thank him for the incredible music he has gifted us.