Phil Collins Poor Drumming Posture Induced Spinal Cord Injury

Phil Collins Overcomes Challenge of Drumming After Spinal Cord Injury

Former drummer and later front man of the legendary band Genesis, Phil Collins has recently undergone spinal surgery on the vertebrae in his neck after years of drumming in a poor posture left him with a spinal cord injury and nerve damage. Collins told Rolling Stone: “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.”

When Collins first attempted to drum after his surgery, he said the sticks went flying across the room because he didn’t have the strength to hold onto them. He created makeshift drumstick holders using tape around his hands to hold the sticks in place. He said, “When I play, I’ve had to tape the sticks to my hand. It’s like wearing a condom. It’s very strange. It really cramps your style,” the article reported.

Collins is scheduled to undergo another spinal surgery in an attempt to regain more use of his arms and hands. Although recent talks about a Genesis reunion tour have been put on hold, Collins commented in the article that he would love to perform on tour with Peter Gabriel again someday. The famous drummer and singer is currently wrapping up production on an album of famous Motown covers, RTT News said.

At age 59, Collins has enjoyed more success and superstardom than many other musicians alive today. While he could already settle down into retirement after a wildly successful career, Collins hopes to recover enough to enable him to play with Genesis and to continue playing music and touring the globe. We wish him all the best.

References:

Bang! Showbiz Staff. (March 30, 2010) “Phil Collins suffers nerve damage.” Retrieved on March 30, 2010 from the Dominion Post Web site: www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/entertainm...suffers-nerve-damage

Michaels, Mitch. (March 29, 2010) “Phil Collins Talks about Recovery From Neck Surgery.” Retrieved on March 30, 2010 from the 411 Mania Web site: www.411mania.com/music/news/134201/Phil-...rom-Neck-Surgery.htm

RTT News Staff. (March 29, 2010) “Phil Collins Talks About Drumming After Surgery.” Retrieved on March 30, 2010 from the RRT News Web site: www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1254088

Warner, Tiffany. (March 30, 2010) “Legendary drummer Phil Collins: Tapes drumsticks to hands after nerve injury.” Retrieved on March 30, 2010 from the Hollywood Examiner Web site: www.examiner.com/x-30572-Hollywood-Exami...10m3d30-Phil-Collins