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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Like for so many, I’m sure, Phil Collins was one of those figures that was always around while growing up. I didn’t know much about him, or his career, he was just always… there.
And so I picked up this audiobook (read by Collins himself) out of pure interest. A little bit of knowledge of the songs adds to it, but it’s a brilliant memoir in itself.
His early years are fascinating, to see how he got in the industry and how things slowly fell in to place. The career aspect of the book is so interesting and still so relevant today. It’s by far the most interesting part of the book. The wide range of stars he has worked with and opportunities he has been a part of is exceptional. A clearly talented and driven artist who pushed himself, in many ways, to the limit and beyond.
As for his love life, I appreciate this was probably significant at the time, especially in the British tabloids. And if you were there, I’m sure this is interesting to hear the differences between what was reported and what actually happened. But for me, this really didn’t add anything. In fact, it took away from the book for me and made him come across terribly. While the point of an autobiography is to be honest, and authentic, something about this just didn’t fit for me.
Overall I really enjoyed it, and his reading of the audiobook was fabulous. If you’re interested in music, this is a fascinating read that I would definitely recommend. A 4 star from me!
And so I picked up this audiobook (read by Collins himself) out of pure interest. A little bit of knowledge of the songs adds to it, but it’s a brilliant memoir in itself.
His early years are fascinating, to see how he got in the industry and how things slowly fell in to place. The career aspect of the book is so interesting and still so relevant today. It’s by far the most interesting part of the book. The wide range of stars he has worked with and opportunities he has been a part of is exceptional. A clearly talented and driven artist who pushed himself, in many ways, to the limit and beyond.
As for his love life, I appreciate this was probably significant at the time, especially in the British tabloids. And if you were there, I’m sure this is interesting to hear the differences between what was reported and what actually happened. But for me, this really didn’t add anything. In fact, it took away from the book for me and made him come across terribly. While the point of an autobiography is to be honest, and authentic, something about this just didn’t fit for me.
Overall I really enjoyed it, and his reading of the audiobook was fabulous. If you’re interested in music, this is a fascinating read that I would definitely recommend. A 4 star from me!
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
medium-paced
informative
reflective
fast-paced
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I expect a rock 'n roll biography to be bold, not banal. Collins is self-effacing, in both a good way and a bad way. But mostly, it feels like he is just listing out events that have happened and failing to add much color to them. It seems like Collins's agent suggested he write (or have ghost-written) a book to make a little money, share an inside look with the fans, and tell his side of the story on a bunch of stuff that got negative PR. I am surprised to see this so positively reviewed on Goodreads. I found it boring, and if I had not chosen to read it on audiobook, I likely would not have finished it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use
Minor: Homophobia, Infidelity, Medical content
funny
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
This book gave me the same kind of vibe as the Tom Selleck memoir—surprising and oddly off-track from what I expected. I’ve always liked Phil Collins for a very specific slice of his career, so reading a memoir that’s 90% not that was a bit disorienting and sometimes hard to follow.
That said, Collins is blunt, self-deprecating, and doesn’t hold back. There were more than a few moments where I found myself thinking, “Phil… no…” out loud. 😅
Still, it’s a fascinating ride through his life—from drumming and singing to producing, Broadway, and even his deep obsession with the Alamo (I didn’t expect that twist, but hey—he's now an Honorary Texan!). Worth the read if you're curious about the man beyond the music.
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
informative
reflective
I only knew of Phil Collins from Tarzan, so this was an enlightening listen, read by Collins himself. He doesn’t shy away from showing us both the highs and lows, professionally and personally, and shows quite a good level of self-reflection on his life, actions, and decisions (notably for the three relationships constituting his three divorces). There could have been a touch more editing, as there were a couple passages/lines which were repeated (such as regarding his mother’s declining health as she aged/how she died at 94), and not always terribly far apart. I did also proceed to pick up some Genesis and solo CDs (best of, mostly, but also “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway”) towards the end of listening to the book, and just wish I had gotten them earlier to listen to the songs he called out closer to when he called them out, as some songs were most connected to certain events and phases of his life.
As for more impressions, from my status updates:
March 18, 2025 – 20.0%
"So many famous name drops... But since I'm not a huge music person, most of them slide right past (exceptions: the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix). Collins sure brushed elbows with a lot of people during his teens/early 20s when trying to get into the music scene, and that's kind of the framework holding together the string of other musicians."
March 22, 2025 – 48.0%
"I may not have known anything about Genesis either before I started this, but once he joined them and through the 80s (about where I'm at) has been very interesting to hear about! The ups and downs, the ins and outs of a growing-in-popularity band and incredible mismanagement of money (or, in the bandmates' cases, probably just not knowing the money side of things to watch it). Plus the codas about his romantic life."
March 23, 2025 – 75.0%
"It's interesting to see the links between the music he's making and his personal life. Not to mention how crazy busy he kept, especially in the late 80s/early 90s! I also finally picked up a few Genesis and Phil Collins' solo CDs to give them a listen, especially since he keeps telling how this song or that CD was him writing about his marriages/partners/feelings."
March 26, 2025 – 92.0%
"Whoosh that decade of upheaval went fast! With both highs (e.g. Tarzan the movie and the musical, and Brother Bear) and lows (the ending of his third marriage, the physical ailments. We're in the alcohol now...)."
As for more impressions, from my status updates:
March 18, 2025 – 20.0%
"So many famous name drops... But since I'm not a huge music person, most of them slide right past (exceptions: the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix). Collins sure brushed elbows with a lot of people during his teens/early 20s when trying to get into the music scene, and that's kind of the framework holding together the string of other musicians."
March 22, 2025 – 48.0%
"I may not have known anything about Genesis either before I started this, but once he joined them and through the 80s (about where I'm at) has been very interesting to hear about! The ups and downs, the ins and outs of a growing-in-popularity band and incredible mismanagement of money (or, in the bandmates' cases, probably just not knowing the money side of things to watch it). Plus the codas about his romantic life."
March 23, 2025 – 75.0%
"It's interesting to see the links between the music he's making and his personal life. Not to mention how crazy busy he kept, especially in the late 80s/early 90s! I also finally picked up a few Genesis and Phil Collins' solo CDs to give them a listen, especially since he keeps telling how this song or that CD was him writing about his marriages/partners/feelings."
March 26, 2025 – 92.0%
"Whoosh that decade of upheaval went fast! With both highs (e.g. Tarzan the movie and the musical, and Brother Bear) and lows (the ending of his third marriage, the physical ailments. We're in the alcohol now...)."
medium-paced