For years, award ceremonies, honorary inductions, and public voting have been used to celebrate “successful” individuals in various fields. This has become a part of our lives, and we have grown accustomed to witnessing these events and ranking individuals based on their accomplishments.
In the digital age, social media has become a powerful tool for determining who should be receiving the most attention. Digital streaming platforms have become essential sources of data for analysts, and people who receive the most streams and attract the most listeners have piqued the interest of numerous record labels looking for the next big act. However, long before these platforms existed, Phil Collins was already a prominent figure in the music industry.
Collins began his career as the drummer for Genesis, but he rose to prominence as the band’s lead singer after Peter Gabriel’s departure in 1975. Genesis had already developed a cult following through their early works, such as “Nursery Cryme” and “Foxtrot,” with Gabriel as their frontman. However, the band continued to thrive without Gabriel and experienced their most commercially successful period under Collins’ leadership. Although Genesis was already well-known among prog-rock fans, mainstream success soon followed after Phil took the helm.
But Collins didn’t stop there. He went on to become a successful solo artist in his own right, topping the charts with numerous hits such as “In the Air Tonight,” “Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now),” and “Another Day in Paradise.” He was also celebrated by numerous institutions, receiving seven Grammys as a solo artist, as well as an Academy Award and two Golden Globes.
Phil Collins’ solo success has been widely recognized through accolades such as his seven Grammy Awards, Academy Awards, and two Golden Globes. However, digital platforms such as Spotify have also played a significant role in establishing his status as a much bigger act than Genesis and Peter Gabriel. Phil’s digital streams have exceeded the combined total of both his former band and bandmate, with over seventeen million streams compared to Genesis’ six million monthly streams and Gabriel’s five million.
Phil’s widespread appeal across generations has solidified his influence in the music industry, inspiring many contemporary artists. His enduring success has demonstrated that achievement in the music industry can take many forms and can span decades. While Genesis and Peter Gabriel enjoyed immense success, Phil Collins’ solo career has rightfully earned him a place among the greatest artists of all time.