When Phil Collins Began His Comeback Tour

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Father and son: Phil Collins singing while son Nic plays piano at Liverpool’s Echo Arena, June 2, 2017

After testing the waters in 2016 with a couple of (very brief) live performances, Phil Collins announced his Not Dead Yet tour, his first extended time on the road as a solo act since 2004-2005.

Less than a week later, and just four shows in, Collins injured himself and the tour was postponed for several days.

The tour name was derived from Collins’ 2016 autobiography, Not Dead Yet. The musician’s solo catalog also received a significant overhaul from Rhino that year.

Collins took the stage on June 2, 2017, for a warmup show at the Echo Arena in Liverpool and delivered a 21-song set that was dominated by songs from his lengthy solo career. Included in the setlist were two Genesis numbers: “Follow You Follow Me” and “Invisible Touch.”

[On June 8, Collins was hospitalized after hitting his head when he fell in his London hotel room in the middle of the night. He suffers from “drop foot” as a result of a back operation which makes it difficult to walk. He was taken to a hospital where he had stitches for a severe gash on his head close to his eye. After taking a few days to recuperate, he was able to resume the tour.]

Watch this uptempo hit with the big horns at the Liverpool show

Here’s Collins’ breakthrough solo hit “In the Air Tonight”

The longtime Genesis lead singer and drummer reunited with his bandmates Michael Rutherford and Tony Banks for a 2007 tour. Collins, born January 30, 1951, underwent back surgery in 2015 and noted at a Fall 2016 press conference: “The 60 years of drumming really messed my back [and my hips] up.” His 16-year-old son, Nic, born April 21, 2001, did much of the drumming on this tour (“he’s fantastic”).

Watch young Nic also playing piano on “You Know What I Mean”

The tour continued that year with 15 dates in London, Cologne and Paris. Collins ultimately toured South America, the U.S., Australia and New Zealand. Genesis held their own reunion tour in 2021-22.

Phil Collins, June 2, 2017 Setlist

First Set
Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)
Another Day in Paradise
One More Night
Wake Up Call
Follow You Follow Me
Can’t Turn Back the Years
I Missed Again
Hang in Long Enough
Separate Lives
Only You Know and I Know

Second Set
I Don’t Care Anymore
Something Happened on the Way to Heaven
You Know What I Mean
In the Air Tonight
You Can’t Hurry Love
Dance Into the Light
Invisible Touch
Sussudio

Encore
If You Love (Really Love Me)
Take Me Home