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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I love Phil Collins, warts and all. In this autobiography, he was honest about his mistakes, but really, nobody's perfect. Reading about how he didn't even realize how much trouble he was in with his overworking, there was bound to be a crash, or more than one.
By the time he stopped, he'd lost his third family, then switched from work to alcohol. Thankfully, he got through it and seems to have his priorities straight so he doesn't miss his youngest ones growing up.
His music and his goofiness come through it all, and it's amazing to read about all he's done, and to see his influence on much of the 70s to 90s, at least.
He's achieved legend status, and I only wish I'd seen him in concert. If given the chance, maybe one day, but if he retires in peace, it's well deserved.
I applaud him for "Another Day (in Paradise)", because there are always those who criticize, but even if he hadn't been there, he's aware of those who have, and helps in his own way.
Great stories about his family, all his time with Genesis, and so many other stars and good causes.
By the time he stopped, he'd lost his third family, then switched from work to alcohol. Thankfully, he got through it and seems to have his priorities straight so he doesn't miss his youngest ones growing up.
His music and his goofiness come through it all, and it's amazing to read about all he's done, and to see his influence on much of the 70s to 90s, at least.
He's achieved legend status, and I only wish I'd seen him in concert. If given the chance, maybe one day, but if he retires in peace, it's well deserved.
I applaud him for "Another Day (in Paradise)", because there are always those who criticize, but even if he hadn't been there, he's aware of those who have, and helps in his own way.
Great stories about his family, all his time with Genesis, and so many other stars and good causes.
Warts and all, his story is compelling, inspiring, funny, tragic and sad. I'm a long time fan and this book reminds me why and has sent me back into the archives of my iTunes catalog to listen again.
Very readable and enjoyable book by Phil Collins. Tells his story with humour but is also very frank and self-critical when discussing his three marriages and the impact this had on him and his children.
His battle with alcohol in his later years make for searing reading, and his other health issues are not skimped either.
There's not too much musical detail in the book but plenty of insights into the minds of his band members and other colleagues.
His battle with alcohol in his later years make for searing reading, and his other health issues are not skimped either.
There's not too much musical detail in the book but plenty of insights into the minds of his band members and other colleagues.
Man, Phil Collins is boring. I'm a huge fan of his music, but I feel like more exciting things had to have happened to him in his 60+ years on this earth. I mean, he's friends with rock stars, he recorded with members of the Beatles(!!), but somehow this book just bored me the whole time. I love Genesis and Phil's solo career, but maybe give us more juice other than just your 3 divorces? I recommend reading this inky if you need something to help you fall asleep at night, it's probably cheaper than Ambien.
Phil Collins is an impressive drummer, great songwriter and iconic stage personality. What he is not, judging by this book, is either an interesting storyteller or a man of good judgment. "Not Dead Yet" consists mostly of recountings of life events in the style of "This happened, then this happened" (not having read many celebrity autobiographies, I suppose this is standard), and there are only few reflections about the events that really seem to mean something (the early death of Collins' father stands out). Mostly, Collins just talks about how time and again he had a hard time getting his priorities straight and always buried himself in work and more work to the detriment of his private life, without noticing it until much later. In the book, this oscillates between self-flagellation and self-pity, which is seldom interesting or insightful. The four life partners that Collins has had don't gain any profile as people beyond being difficult (Andy), beautiful (Orianne) or caring (Dana).
What is most disappointing to me personally, is how little he talks about the process of making and producing music. I understand that there's no discussion of the nitty-gritty bits, which are too arcane for a wide audience, but Collins doesn't even seem to be willing or able to reflect on how songs emerge inside him, how his collaborative process works, what fascinates him about sounds, rhythms, songs, ideas. Since he seems to be a very intuitive musician, who plays things mostly by ear (according to accounts, for example, in [b:Genesis: Chapter and Verse|1751787|Genesis Chapter and Verse|Phil Collins|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1317064400s/1751787.jpg|1749590]), this is understandable, but I would have been much more interested in Phil Collins' musical mind than in the play-by-play of his love life.
What is most disappointing to me personally, is how little he talks about the process of making and producing music. I understand that there's no discussion of the nitty-gritty bits, which are too arcane for a wide audience, but Collins doesn't even seem to be willing or able to reflect on how songs emerge inside him, how his collaborative process works, what fascinates him about sounds, rhythms, songs, ideas. Since he seems to be a very intuitive musician, who plays things mostly by ear (according to accounts, for example, in [b:Genesis: Chapter and Verse|1751787|Genesis Chapter and Verse|Phil Collins|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1317064400s/1751787.jpg|1749590]), this is understandable, but I would have been much more interested in Phil Collins' musical mind than in the play-by-play of his love life.
Audiobook version: yeah it was good. Well read and presented by Phil. I'd have liked more about the early genesis days but it's understandable that's not as prevalent.
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I would give more than 5 stars if I could.
Loved this book. It took me back to approaching high school, straight thru all those memories and into my marriage. I loved Genesis and Phil then and still. Some of his stories come off a little bit victim-ish, but human. We're all human regardless of success, or money life can hurt and make you feel insecure. Phil Collins tells his version of all that he feels and I completely enjoyed every story.