Phil Collins has stated that he will return to music, saying in a new interview that he is “no longer officially retired”.
The former Genesis drummer announced his short-lived retirement in 2011, now telling Rolling Stone that he is working on a solo album ahead of a comeback tour.
The reason for his change of heart, he says, is to show his children “what their dad does”. He said: “My kids are now 10 and 14 and they want to see what their dad does. They were in nappies when I was last on the road. They love my music and I’d like to take them out so they can enjoy it.”
Of his tour plans, Collins continued: “I don’t think I want a very long tour. But I would like to play the stadiums in Australia and the Far East, and that’s the only way to do that. But there’s a part of me that just wants to do theatres, so we’ll see.”
When asked if a return to music could signal a Genesis reunion, Collins replied: “Let’s start with this [solo] bit first. I love the guys. I would just prefer to do this first. For now, let’s just see how this goes.”
As previously reported, Collins will also release an autobiography in October 2016.
Collins says of the news: “Several times over the last few years I have been asked to write a biography but never felt that the time was right – until now.”
“Having found the right publisher in Penguin Random House I am ready to go on record about my life in music with all the highs and all the lows and to tell the story from my point of view, warts and all!”