Early Life and Education of Phil Collins: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Phil Collins, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Phil Collins is a highly successful English musician, known as the drummer and later lead singer of the rock band Genesis and for his prolific solo career. During the 1980s, Collins achieved more US Top 40 singles than any other artist through his work with Genesis, collaborations, and solo releases. Notable hits include "In the Air Tonight," "Against All Odds," "One More Night," and "Another Day in Paradise," solidifying his status as a pop icon.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1907: Birth of Greville Philip Austin Collins

In 1907, Greville Philip Austin Collins, Phil Collins' father, was born. He worked as an insurance agent.

1913: Birth of Winifred June Strange

In 1913, Winifred June (née Strange), Phil Collins' mother, was born. She worked in a toy shop and later as a booking agent.

January 1951: Philip David Charles Collins' Birth

In January 1951, Philip David Charles Collins was born at Putney Hospital in London.

January 1951: Phil Collins' birth

On January 1951, Philip David Charles Collins, known as Phil Collins, was born in England. He would later become a successful drummer, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor.

1963: Historical Context of 'Buster'

In 1963, The Great Train Robbery occurred, an event central to the plot of the film Buster in which Collins starred. This real-life event provided the historical backdrop for Collins' acting role.

1968: Jack Wild's role in Oliver!

In 1968, Phil Collins's childhood friend Jack Wild became famous for playing the Artful Dodger in the film Oliver! Collins and Wild both attended the Barbara Speake Stage School.

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1969: Release of Tommy

In 1969, The Who released their rock opera Tommy, from which Phil Collins performed "Fiddle About" and "Tommy's Holiday Camp" during his guest appearance with the band in 1989.

1972: Birth of step-daughter Joely

In 1972, Andrea Bertorelli gave birth to her daughter Joely, who was later legally adopted by Phil Collins in 1975 after their marriage.

1972: Death of Greville Philip Austin Collins

In 1972, Greville Philip Austin Collins, Phil Collins' father, passed away.

1974: Reconnected with Andrea Bertorelli

In 1974, Phil Collins reconnected with Andrea Bertorelli when Genesis performed in Vancouver, leading to their marriage in 1975.

1975: Marriage to Andrea Bertorelli

In 1975, Phil Collins married Andrea Bertorelli in England after reconnecting in 1974. Both were 24 years old at the time.

1976: Birth of son Simon Collins

In 1976, Phil Collins and Andrea Bertorelli had a son, Simon Collins, who later became the vocalist and drummer of the progressive rock band Sound of Contact.

December 1978: Hiatus and Marital Issues

In December 1978, Genesis went on hiatus after touring, and Phil Collins traveled to Vancouver, Canada, in an attempt to salvage his marriage. This attempt ultimately failed, leading to his wife returning to England with their children.

1978: Collins moved into Old Croft

In the spring of 1978, Phil Collins and his wife moved into Old Croft, a home in Shalford, Surrey, due to the commercial success of Genesis.

1980: Divorce from Andrea Bertorelli

In 1980, Phil Collins and Andrea Bertorelli divorced, marking the end of their five-year marriage.

1981: Divorce Finalized

In 1981, Phil Collins' divorce was finalized. During this period, while other Genesis members worked on solo albums, Collins rejoined Brand X and also started writing his own demos, marking a period of personal and professional transition.

1984: Marriage to Jill Tavelman

In 1984, Phil Collins married Jill Tavelman, marking his second marriage.

1987: Honorary doctorate of fine arts

In 1987, Phil Collins received an honorary doctorate of fine arts at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

1988: This Is Your Life Episode

In 1988, Phil Collins was the subject of an episode of the British TV series This Is Your Life, celebrating his career and personal life.

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1989: Birth of daughter Lily Collins

In 1989, Phil Collins and Jill Tavelman had a daughter, Lily Collins, who later became an actress.

1989: Madame Tussaud's Rock Circus

In 1989, Phil Collins donated his own clothes to Madame Tussaud's Rock Circus, an exhibition celebrating rock and pop music history, marking his inclusion among major figures recreated in wax.

1991: Honorary doctorate of music

In 1991, Phil Collins received an honorary doctorate of music at the Berklee College of Music.

1994: Cevey worked as translator

In 1994, Orianne Cevey worked as Phil Collins's translator at the start of his tour. She was 22 at the time.

1994: Move to Switzerland

In 1994, Phil Collins moved to Switzerland because he started a relationship with a woman who lived there, not for tax reasons.

1994: Filing for divorce from Jill Tavelman

In 1994, Phil Collins openly stated that he had fallen out of love with Jill Tavelman and filed for divorce, initiating the legal proceedings for their separation.

1996: Divorce from Jill Tavelman finalised

In 1996, Phil Collins's divorce from Jill Tavelman was finalised, with Collins paying £17 million as part of the settlement.

1997: Reports of moving to Switzerland

In 1997, Phil Collins was reported in the British press to have left the UK and moved to Switzerland in protest at the Labour Party's victory in the general election.

1999: Marriage to Orianne Cevey

In 1999, Phil Collins married Orianne Cevey, a Swiss national who had worked as his translator at the start of his 1994 tour.

February 2000: Launch of Little Dreams Foundation

In February 2000, Phil Collins and Orianne Cevey launched the Little Dreams Foundation, a non-profit organization to help children in sports and art.

2000: Partial deafness

In 2000, Phil Collins became partially deaf in one ear due to a viral infection.

2000: Sudden hearing loss

In 2000, Phil Collins developed sudden hearing loss in his left ear following a recording session in Los Angeles. He consulted doctors who said there was nothing they could do. He later found it was caused by a viral infection.

2005: Donation to PETA

In 2005, Phil Collins donated autographed drumsticks in support of PETA's campaign against Kentucky Fried Chicken.

2006: Divorce from Orianne Cevey

In 2006, Phil Collins and Orianne Cevey divorced, resulting in Collins paying £25 million to Cevey, which became the largest settlement in a British celebrity divorce.

2007: Relationship with Dana Tyler begins

In 2007, Phil Collins began a relationship with American news anchor Dana Tyler.

2008: Cevey and sons move to Miami

In 2008, Orianne Cevey and her two sons moved to Miami, Florida, leading Phil Collins to reflect on a dark period in his life marked by excessive drinking and television watching.

April 2009: Neck surgery and loss of feeling in fingers

In April 2009, Phil Collins had surgery on his upper neck to correct a problem that began while drumming on the 2007 Genesis tour. Following the operation, he lost feeling in his fingers.

2010: Feelings of depression and contemplation of suicide

In 2010, Phil Collins alluded to feelings of depression and low self-worth and said he had contemplated suicide but resisted for the sake of his children.

March 2011: Announcement of time off from career

On March 4, 2011, Phil Collins announced he was taking time off from his career due to health problems and other concerns. On March 7, he confirmed his intention to retire to focus on his family life.

2011: Death of Winifred June

In 2011, Winifred June (née Strange), Phil Collins' mother, died.

May 2012: Honorary doctorate of history

On 12 May 2012, Phil Collins received an honorary doctorate of history at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas, for his research and collection of Texas Revolution artefacts and documents.

2012: Appearance at brother's investiture ceremony

In 2012, Phil Collins attended his brother Clive's investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, where Clive was awarded an MBE for services to art. Phil shared a memory of their childhood, noting Clive's early artistic talent.

2013: Promotion of Little Dreams Foundation expansion

In 2013, Phil Collins visited Miami Beach, Florida, to promote the expansion of his Little Dreams Foundation.

May 2014: Live performance with students

In May 2014, Phil Collins gave a live performance of "In the Air Tonight" and "Land of Confusion" with student musicians at the Miami Country Day School at the request of his sons.

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June 2014: Donation of Alamo collection

On 26 June 2014, Phil Collins held a press conference at the Alamo, announcing that he was donating his entire collection to the Alamo via the State of Texas.

August 2014: Acceptance of invitation to benefit concert

In August 2014, Phil Collins was reported to have accepted an invitation to perform at a benefit concert in Miami in December in aid of his Little Dreams Foundation charity, though he ultimately missed the concert due to illness.

2014: Inability to play the drums

In 2014, Phil Collins said that he was still unable to play the drums and that it was not arthritis, but an undiagnosed nerve problem.

March 2015: Named an honorary Texan

On 11 March 2015, Phil Collins was named an honorary Texan by the state legislature in honor of his donation of his Alamo collection.

2015: Collins becomes teetotal

In 2015, Phil Collins stated that he had been teetotal for three years, indicating a significant change in his lifestyle and health habits.

2015: Spine operation

In 2015, Phil Collins underwent a spine operation.

October 2016: Publication of Autobiography

In October 2016, Phil Collins's autobiography, "Not Dead Yet", was published, offering insights into his life and career.

Not Dead Yet: The Memoir

Check it on Amazon

2016: Inability to drum with left hand

In 2016, Phil Collins said he was still unable to drum with his left hand and was advised to practice step by step if he wanted to play again.

2016: Reunion with Orianne Cevey

In January 2016, after moving to Miami Beach, Florida in the previous year, Phil Collins reunited with Orianne Cevey and they lived together in Miami.

2016: Acknowledged struggle with alcoholism

In his 2016 autobiography, Phil Collins acknowledged that he had struggled with alcoholism following his retirement and third divorce, but had been sober for three years.

January 2017: Diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes and treatment

In January 2017, Phil Collins said he was a type 2 diabetic and had received treatment with a hyperbaric chamber after developing a diabetic abscess on his foot that became infected.

June 2017: Cancellation of shows due to a fall

In June 2017, Phil Collins cancelled two shows after he slipped in his hotel room and hit his head on a chair, resulting in stitches. The fall was caused by his foot drop, and he subsequently used a cane to walk.

March 2020: Genesis Reformation Announcement

In March 2020, Phil Collins, along with Banks and Rutherford, announced the reformation of Genesis for "The Last Domino? Tour", featuring Collins's son Nic on drums.

2020: Eviction notice against Cevey

In October 2020, Phil Collins filed an eviction notice against Orianne Cevey after she secretly married another man in August, leading to further legal battles and disputes.

2021: Miami home sold

In 2021, Phil Collins sold his Miami home for $39 million, marking a significant real estate transaction and a potential shift in his living arrangements.

March 2022: Genesis Farewell

In March 2022, at The O2 Arena in London, Phil Collins announced that it was the last show for Genesis, marking the end of their touring career.

December 2024: Release of YouTube documentary

In December 2024, a YouTube documentary titled Phil Collins: Drummer First was released by Drumeo, reflecting primarily on Phil's history as a drummer, in which his ailing health and fragility is observed.