In the months leading up to his “Not Dead Yet Tour,” iconic drummer Phil Collins began experiencing nerve issues in his hand, making playing the drums a challenge. Luckily he had a helping hand nearby. He hired his son, Nic Collins, to play drums during his tour from 2016 to 2019. The unexpected turn of events happened when the father-son team asked Nic to sit at the piano during the tour stop in Houston. After Phil showed Nic his discography, his son discovered a song that Phil loved, Phil told the crowd. In a nod to their mutual sense of humor, Phil joked, “Just one,” and Nic corrected him, saying, “Two songs…mostly one.” “You Know What I Mean” is Phil Collins’ first solo album that Nic enjoyed.
Then, with Phil singing and Nic playing the piano, the duo launched into a moving rendition of the song. Many of Phil Collins’ fans were delighted to discover that despite his health problems, Phil was still performing live, and left encouraging comments throughout the video. In the end, more than 2.70 million people watched the video of the performance. The sight of father and son playing together moved many onlookers; One person even went so far as to say: “Wonderful to see father and son together like this.” » Many viewers highlighted Nic’s musical abilities and said, “Nic Collins inherited Phil’s musical talent.” »
The tour was an opportunity for Nic to showcase his many musical abilities, and he did not disappoint, particularly on the drums. During the same performance in Houston, Nic had the chance to showcase his drumming skills in a duo with fellow percussionist Richie Garcia. Even Nic’s father couldn’t help but be impressed by his drumming skills. When Nic took the stage to play the cajon with Richie and his dad, the performance turned into a drum trio. Nic continued to accompany his father on drums on his 2020-2022 Genesis Tour after the tour ended in 2019. Soon after, he joined Mike and the Mechanics, a touring band featuring the member of the his father, Mike Rutherford’s band Genesis, and played drums for them.
Better Strangers, Nic’s 2022 solo project, is a must-listen for anyone interested in learning more about his drumming. Nic Collins will no doubt have plenty of opportunities to showcase his talents in the years to come, including continuing his father’s work and creating his own musical trajectory.
