Phil Collins Quits Music, Apologizes for Success

'It's hardly surprising that people grew to hate me'
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 5, 2011 3:50 PM CST
Phil Collins Quits Music, Apologizes for Success
Genesis frontman Phil Collins performs on stage during the Live Earth concert at Wembley Stadium on July 7, 2007 in London, England.   (Getty Images)

Phil Collins is quitting music—and he basically thinks the planet's reaction will be good riddance. "I don't think anyone's going to miss me," the former Genesis drummer told FHM magazine, via the Telegraph. Highlights from the interview:

  • Health is a big issue: Among his ailments: ruined hearing in his left ear, a dislocated vertebra in his neck, nerve damage in his hands. He said: "I think of it like air miles—it's all part of the job. I'm not worried about not being able to play the drums again, I'm more worried about being able to cut a loaf of bread safely or building things for my kids."

  • On being "the pop star that nobody likes": The hatred started "around the time that the music was being played so incessantly people wanted to strangle me. It's hardly surprising that people grew to hate me. I'm sorry that it was all so successful."
  • On kids these days: "I look at the MTV Music Awards and I think, "I can't be in the same business as this. I don't really belong to that world."
  • On bowing out: "It feels like a good time to stop for a while. David Letterman wanted me to go on his show on a Monday night recently but I said, "No. Can't do it. I have the kids on a Monday." And my label said, "But this is Letterman!" And I was like, "Guess what? I. Don't. Give. A. F***!"
Click for more on Collins. (More Phil Collins stories.)

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