A representative for Phil Collins has denied online rumors that the legendary singer and drummer is in hospice care, confirming that the 73-year-old musician is in the hospital for knee surgery.
Speculation about Collins’ health circulated online this week, with some social media users falsely claiming the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer had entered hospice, a facility typically reserved for end-of-life care. However, a representative for Collins told TMZ those rumors are unfounded.
The spokesperson clarified that Collins is hospitalized due to a recent knee operation, not because of any terminal condition.
Concerns over Collins’ health have persisted in recent years. The former Genesis frontman has openly discussed his medical challenges, many stemming from a serious spinal injury he suffered in 2007. Complications from the injury led to nerve damage and drop-foot, leaving him with little to no sensation in one of his feet. Since 2015, Collins has used a cane and has had difficulty standing for extended periods.
In his 2024 documentary “Phil Collins: Drummer First,” which premiered on Dec. 18 on the Drumeo YouTube channel, Collins provided a candid update on how his health has impacted his life and career.
“I’ve spent all my life playing drums. To suddenly not be able to do that is a shock,” he said. “If I can’t do what I did as well as I did it, I’d rather relax and not do anything. If I wake up one day and I can hold a pair of drumsticks, then I’ll have a crack at it. But I just feel like I’ve used up my air miles.”
Collins, who officially retired from performing with Genesis in 2022 following a seated farewell concert, has shared in past interviews that he postponed recording new music due to feeling “very sick.”
His final Genesis performance in London, joined by longtime bandmates Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks, was marked by an outpouring of love from fans. At the time, Collins joked to the crowd, “After tonight, we’ve all got to get real jobs.”
Throughout his career, Collins has achieved remarkable success on the Billboard charts, particularly during the 1980s. As a solo artist, he earned seven No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now),” “Sussudio,” and “Another Day in Paradise,” which spent four weeks at the top.
His 1985 album “No Jacket Required” dominated the Billboard 200, earning diamond certification and winning the Grammy for Album of the Year. With Genesis, Collins reached No. 1 with “Invisible Touch” in 1986.
