More about: Phil Collins

Phil Collins, love him or hate him he’s back. Recently Phil announced he would be performing an unplugged set at the ‘Dreaming on the Beach’ concert at the Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theatre. He’s ruled out a tour but has hinted that there may be new material on the horizon; so depending on which camp you’re in either reach for the ear plugs or refill the lighter. Backlash against Phil was due to overexposure in the 80s and people like Noel Gallagher craftily snatching headlines by bad mouthing Phil. To help you make your mind up here’s a few things to consider...

1. Phil’s classic "Another Day in Paradise" was released in 1989 and written to raise awareness of homelessness. He was criticised of hypocrisy by some, being a successful millionaire musician. The truth is Phil collected money for homeless charities from fans who attended his concerts and then donated double the total takings out of his own money.

2. Phil supports The Topsy Foundation, a South African charity which provides relief services to some of South Africa's most under-resourced rural communities; tackling the consequences of HIV and AIDS and extreme poverty. How does he support this charity? Phil donates all his royalties earned in South Africa.

3. In 2000 Phil founded The Little Dreams Foundation, which according to the foundation’s website “aims to fulfill the dreams of young talents, whether handicapped or not, within the 3 Dream Worlds which structure the Foundation; music, sport and art”.

4. During the 80s Phil had more top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart than any other artist. He was ranked the 22nd most successful artist on the “The Billboard Hot 100 Top All-Time Artists.”

5. And the bottom line....Phil’s worldwide sales as a solo artist total 150 million. He has won a plethora of music awards throughout his career, including seven Grammy Awards, five Brit Awards, three American Music Awards, two Golden Globe Awards and a Disney Legend Award in 2002 for his solo work, three honorary degrees, oh and an Academy Award. In 1999 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003, and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010.

So whatever you think of Phil, he’s been one of the most successful British artists of our time. The figures speak for themselves and as for his ‘phil’anthropic pursuits, well, obviously Mr Gallagher didn't think they were worth commenting on.

More about: Phil Collins