Friday 10th February

Every so often I see an autobiography, almost always of a musician I like, and decide to read it.  This was the latest one, written by Phil Collins.  Now, I must admit I have rarely if ever read what I would consider a totally honest autobiography; they are full of self-congratulation about their achievements and tend to gloss over the bad bits.  Possibly Bob Dylan’s Chronicles comes nearest to honesty, and this isn’t even a real autobiography at all, just a few snapshots with his reflections of how he felt at the time.  But I am also fascinated by the early pre-fame days of my musical heroes, how success first came on them and how they handled it, how they made the breakthrough, the songwriting and fellow musicians along the way.

I have been fascinated by all things to do with Genesis for years.  I loved the band when Peter was the singer and the first few albums when Phil took over singing duties.  I have also bought most of their solo efforts.  Except Phil Collins.  I loved the first two or three records, especially ‘In The Air’ with its emotional honesty and great drumming.  Uniquely too, Genesis appears to have been a band with no real discord ever; personnel changes were accepted without rancor and they all appear to remain good friends.

So, to the book.  I liked the first half, childhood, teenage years, Phil desperately looking for work as a jobbing drummer, auditioning for and joining Genesis.  And the first few albums, collaborating in songwriting.  Even when Phil first took over the singing are okay.

But, when it comes to his personal life (which to be honest I was never that interested in) I found the book almost sickening.  This multi-millionaire tries to justify his sleeping with a woman while he is still married to the woman he slept with while he was still married to wife number two, who was also the recipient of his sexual favours when married to wife number one.  And his whining about how unhappy all of this made him and how unfair it all was for the press to have a go at him…

I love his singing, and some of his songwriting was brilliant too; his drumming and contributions to Geneses amazing – but, what a self-important and pompous person.  Maybe you have to be to get to the top of the tree, and for a few years in the Eighties and Nineties he certainly was Rock Royalty.  And along with Elton and Sting he did his fair share of fawning before real Royalty too.

Oh well….one day I might find a really good and honest musicians autobiography.