Phil Collins Always loved playing the drums, but years of rocking and rolling took its toll on his hands.

“I spent my whole life playing drums. It's a shock to suddenly not be able to do it,” 73-year-old Collins admitted in the confessional. Phil Collins: Drummer First The documentary, which was released on Wednesday, December 18 by Dromi.

The musician explained that after five decades of playing drums in concert with Genesis and on solo tours since the '80s, it took its toll on his hands and feet. Collins retired from drumming in March 2022 after his last performance with his band Genesis due to the strain on his body.

"If I couldn't do what I did, I'd rather relax and do nothing," he said. "If I wake up one day and I can grab a pair of drumsticks, I'll have a crack at it."

"I think I've used up my air miles," Collins continued, noting that not being able to play "still kind of sinks in."

The Oscar winner got his first plastic drum at the age of 3, which started it. Two years later, Collins was playing music for his family. "It was something I could sit on, and I bumped into the TV set," he recalled.

Looking back on his career, Phil's son Nick Collins Said his father was like many musicians of his time and didn't think about what drumming would do to his muscles.

"Musicians, people in bands in general had this idea that they were invincible," Nick, 23, explained. “I think that's really the feeling with my dad that you're a drummer, you're invincible, you do what you do. But you never know it's going to take a toll in the long run."

In 2015, Phil had neck surgery that "stemmed from all those years of drumming and bad posture," according to Nic. Phil also suffers from drop-foot, when you have no feeling in one leg. Because of that illness, the singer used a cane.

Before the Genesis reunion, Phil announced that Nick would be taking over for him on drums due to his health. He remains the lead vocalist.

"I like, but you know, I mean, I can barely hold a stick with this hand. So there are some physical things that can get in the way," Phil said. BBC Breakfast In September 2021. "I'm a bit physically challenged which is very frustrating because I want to be there playing with my son."

Phil hinted at the time that the tour might be his last. "We're all men of our age, and I think to some extent, I think it's probably putting it to bed," he teased. "I think, yeah, I think for me usually, I don't know if I want to go out on the road anymore."

Phil joined Genesis in 1970 as a drummer. The band consists of a bassist Mike RutherfordKeyboardist Tony Banksthe guitarist Steve Hackett and the singer Peter Gabriel. The group went on hiatus in 2000 but reunited in 2006 Start the tour again.

Phil went out The last domino? tour With Genesis in September 2021. His last show with the band was in March 2022 with Nick and his daughter on stage Lily Collins in the crowd

“Tonight marks the end of an era. Witnessing this last show was truly a memory of a lifetime and an event I will hold in my heart forever,” Lily, 35, said. Wrote via Instagram After the show in London.

He continued: "Endlessly grateful doesn't begin to do it justice. There was so much love left on the O2 stage and shared with an audience who didn't want it to end. Thank you @genesis_band for the memories, thank you dad for being such an inspiration and thank you @nic_collins for making me the proudest sister out there. 50 years later and many more generations will be celebrating you long after this tour is over...”

Phil shares son Simon, 48, and adopted daughter Joely, 52, with first wife, Andrea Bartorelliwhom she divorced in 1980 after five years of marriage. He shares with Lily Jill Tavelmanwhom he was married to from 1984 to 1996. The musicians also share Nick and son Matthew, 20, with ex-wife Orion Savvy. Exes was married from 1999 to 2008.