Phil Collins may be a blue-eyed soul legend, a hero of 1980s yuppie music, and the driving force behind Genesis’ evolution, but he is no stranger to artistic failure.

Like many world-renowned creatives, his path to the top was long and winding, shaped by a mix of fortune and

Though Collins started out as a drummer, his teenage years saw him prioritise an acting career, even landing an uncredited role as an extra in A Hard Day’s Night, the movie of his musical heroes, The Beatles.

However, as his acting career progressed, Collins found himself increasingly drawn to music, immersing himself in London’s vibrant late 1960s scene.

Yes frontman Jon Anderson even invited him to audition for the role of their new drummer, but, in a surprising and inexplicable turn of events, Collins failed to show up—an oversight that could have drastically altered the course of his life.In 1969, Collins and his school friend Ronnie Caryl joined the backing band for John Walker onEuropean tour. Upon their return, the group was renamed Hickory and later rebranded as Flaming Youth.

That same year, they signed with Fontana Records and released their concept album Ark 2, an early progressive rock effort that would lay the groundwork for Collins’ eventual entry into Genesis.

Due to drummer John Mayhew leaving following the recording of 1970’s Trespass, Collins answered the advert in Melody Maker looking for a drummer who was sensitive to acoustic guitars.

They hired him quickly, but yet again, his life might have panned out differently if Queen drummer Roger Taylor – another master drummer and songwriter – had accepted their invitation to audition.

Luckily for Collins and Genesis, they were too prog for him.Remarkably, before this life-changing moment, Collins had already suffered a major setback, which would have been enough for many to leave music behind for good.

Despite being young and at the start of his creative journey, prior to joining Genesis, he’d already directly worked with a former member of his favourite group, George Harrison.