Music icon Phil Collins has shared a sobering account of a 2024 health crisis that brought him to the brink of death. In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, the 75-year-old Genesis drummer revealed that his condition became so dire that his family was called to his bedside to say their final goodbyes.
The emergency occurred in April 2024, following a period where the musician’s heavy drinking had spiraled out of control. Collins explained that his manager reached out to his five children because of the severity of his organ failure. At the time, medical professionals were forced to consult the family regarding life-support decisions as his kidneys and other organs began to shut down. Although he notes that he does not recall these moments, he acknowledges the extreme gravity of the situation, stating that it could have easily resulted in a tragic outcome.
This hospitalization was part of a larger struggle that began in November 2023, when Collins was first rushed to the hospital. Despite being discharged shortly before Christmas, he was quickly readmitted to intensive care, ultimately spending seven months in the facility. Reflecting on his recovery, the musician expressed gratitude for his survival and confirmed that he has remained sober since the incident. He described his health struggles as a combination of factors that caught up with him, including the impact of excessive alcohol consumption on his kidneys.
Beyond his recent battle with organ failure, Collins continues to manage long-term health challenges. He has been open about the complications stemming from a 2007 spinal injury, which caused significant nerve damage and vertebrae issues in his upper neck. These physical setbacks, coupled with several knee and spine surgeries, have left him reliant on crutches for mobility. In a January appearance on the BBC’s "Eras" podcast, he noted that he relies on a 24-hour live-in nurse to assist with his medication regimen.
Despite these difficulties, Collins has maintained a public presence. In May, he was seen using crutches while attending a 50th-anniversary event for King Charles III’s nonprofit, The King’s Trust, at Buckingham Palace. Looking ahead, the legendary artist is slated to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this year.
"I was very lucky to have come out of that," he told the outlet. "Needless to say, I haven't had a drink since."
"It is just one of those things that happened, and it all caught up with me, and I spent months in hospital," he told the BBC. "It's just been a difficult, interesting, frustrating last few years. But it’s all right now."
