Phil Collins Promises He’s ‘Not Dead Yet’ With New Memoir
Phil Collins will chronicle his life and career – from progressive rock drum icon to pop chart-topper – in his new memoir, Not Dead Yet, out October 25th via Crown Archetype. The book will explore the musician’s “three failed marriages, his alcoholism and his ill health,” according to a statement. “Throughout [my life], there have been lots of highs, and more than a few lows,” he said in a statement. “I’m being completely honest about all of them, embarrassingly so in some cases.
“This autobiography has been on my mind for a few years, and I decided that now was the time,” he added. “Things had happened in my personal life that caused me to take stock. In many respects I’ve had a dream life. It’s certainly a life worth writing about. I’ve been incredibly lucky, but I’ve also worked extremely hard. I’ve collaborated with some of my heroes, written songs that people have liked, and wildly surpassed my initial hope to make a living as a drummer.”
Not Dead Yet is available for pre-order in hardcover, ebook and audiobook form via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBookstore and Indigo. Collins revealed the memoir’s smirky cover image at his official website. The musician first announced the project in October 2015, promising a “warts and all” view of his life “from [his] point of view.”
Not Dead Yet will mark Collins’ second published work as an author, following The Alamo and Beyond: A Collector’s Journey, which explored his massive collection of artifacts from the Battle of the Alamo.
Collins, one of rock’s most revered drummers, joined emerging progressive rock act Genesis in 1970. While he remained behind the drum kit for the next five years, he became the band’s lead singer after the 1975 departure of co-founding frontman Peter Gabriel. Collins began a successful solo career during his tenure in Genesis, beginning with 1981’s Face Value and juggling both projects until his 1997 departure.
Collins remains one of just three singers – along with Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney – to sell over 100 million albums as both a solo artist and as part of a band. Over the years, he’s recorded and collaborated with an eclectic range of artists, including Robert Plant, Eric Clapton, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel and David Crosby.
Last week, Collins released remastered deluxe versions of solo LPs …But Seriously and Going Back, wrapping up his retrospective “Take a Look at Me Now” reissue campaign.