'Have to get real jobs!' Frail Phil Collins bids farewell to showbiz in final Genesis show
Phil Collins has enjoyed an on-off career with Genesis for 50 years, ever since replacing John Mayhew in 1970. Now the frail star, who has suffered from increasingly debilitating health problems of late, has said goodbye to fans at his final performance ever, during an emotional last stand in London yesterday night.Percussionist and vocalist Phil was so frail that he was forced to sit down for his appearance at London's 02, supported by bandmates Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks.However the 71-year-old remained in good spirits for the poignant send-off show, quipping that he would now be forced to get "a real job".Crowds gave the group, which over the years achieved over 100 million record sales, a standing ovation in response.Sadly not all former members were present on the night, with stars such as 72-year-old Peter Gabriel notably absent, but the trio still delivered an emotionally impactful show."It's the last stop of our tour, and it's the last show for Genesis," Phil told the assembled crowd."After tonight we all have to get real jobs."Fans had been eagerly anticipating this climactic farewell show for months, after the originally scheduled 2021 dates had to be postponed due to Covid restrictions.Phil's followers also missed out back in 2017, when two solo concerts at the Royal Albert Hall had to be cut out, following a fall in his hotel room.Yet this show promised to be everything that Genesis fans had been hoping for.Phil's health had been on the decline ever since a 2007 tour with the band had left him with a dislocated vertebra in his neck, which subsequently caused nerve damage in his hands.Back surgery in 2015 followed, causing him to rely on a walking stick to get around.By the time of the farewell shows on.
