Collins to never drum again

Phil Collins can no longer hold his sticks after a spinal injuryÂ…

13:33 10 September 2009

Phil Collins has revealed that he will never play the drums again because of a spinal injury.

The Genesis star and successful solo artist claims that he can no longer even hold his drum sticks because sitting at a kit is too painful.

Collins said: "I've got a condition that means I can't play any more. After playing drums for 50 years, I've had to stop.

"Obviously I'm very sad about it. My vertebrae has been crushing my spinal cord because of the position I drum in.

"It comes from years of playing. I can't even hold the sticks properly without it being painful. I even used to tape the sticks to my hands to get through. But don't worry, I can still sing."

A friend said: "He is devastated as drumming is everything to him. It's how he made his name and it set him on the road to superstardom.

"But drumming has been getting more and more painful and he decided enough was enough and called it a day. He has to put his health first."

Collins, who has sold more than 150 million albums, was quoted at a garden party on Tuesday in aid of the Prince's Trust.

Phil first found fame as the drummer in 70s progressive rock group Genesis after answering an advert in the music paper Melody Maker. When lead singer Peter Gabriel left in 1975, he took command of the group.

'A Trick Of The Tail' was the group's first album featuring Collins on lead vocals. It entered the charts at No 3.

Soon after he launched a solo career, with his first album 'Face Value' soaring to No 1. Numerous hit albums and tours followed, including a recent Genesis reunion concert.

Phil Collins began his showbusiness career as a child actor. He went on to take a lead role in the 1988 crime film 'Buster'.

Collins recently found a new generation of fans after a Cadbury's advert featuring a gorilla drumming along to 'In The Air Tonight' became a cult sensation. The song even re-entered the charts.