Phil Collins Chose The True Vocalist Of Genesis

In a recent interview on BBC Radio 2, Phil Collins disclosed who he considers the authentic singer of Genesis, shedding light on his role within the iconic band.

When addressing his previous statement in the 2014 documentary Genesis: Together and Apart, where he humorously claimed to be “number three” in the group, Collins shared:

“I joined in 1970. 1974 or 75 was it when Peter left. I still feel like the new singer, and Peter’s the real singer. I’m the replacement. I still feel like it, and I think that when I left in 1996, the greatest thing that was overlooked, which I just thought very funny, was the press release that these guys put out, saying after 30 years or something, we’ve decided that Phil wasn’t the right guy for the job.”

Elaborating on his reaction to that press release, he added:

“I thought it was just a great way of looking at it, and when the five of us are all together, it’s funny that everybody reverts to those roles.”

Phil Collins’ Take on Peter’s Departure

At the time of Peter Gabriel’s departure, he cited his desire to spend more time with his family, but there were also underlying issues within the band. Reviews often highlighted Gabriel’s stage presence over the band’s music, making others uneasy. When asked about whether he wanted Gabriel to leave, Collins commented in a 1998 interview:

“I didn’t want Peter to leave. I wish he had never left. I mean, I love him as a guy and as what he has done now. I think he is one of my favorite artists, but I didn’t want him to leave. I didn’t want to be the singer. I didn’t want him to leave. I just took over because someone had to.”

Genesis: Collins vs. Gabriel

The debate over whether Collins or Gabriel is the superior Genesis vocalist remains a topic of ongoing discussion among fans and fellow musicians when assessing their success. Steve Hackett, a former Genesis member who collaborated with both singers, shared his preference in a recent interview with Now Spinning Magazine Podcast:

“If I was honest, I would say that the two best albums from the classic Genesis period for me are ‘Foxtrot’ and ‘Selling England [By The Pound].’ Those two, I think, typify what the band was capable of at the time when was basically a pre-video era. If we did a video, it was kind of anomaly that might be the old thing filmed in front of an audience in Shepparton and invited audience, but we were yet to be filmed, if you know what I mean.”