In The Heir Tonight: Drummer, Nic Collins, 22, More Than Just Genesis "Phil-in"
The stick doesn't fall far from the floor tom: He's got a band of his own, and he's touring with the very Genesis-adjacent Mike + The Mechanics.
Kindness, More Than Noticeable: It’s A Parent
It’s hard not to think kind, parental thoughts about (and toward) Nic Collins. And, you don’t even have to know him. I don’t. But, I think of Nic like I think of Lady Gaga and the late Melinda Wilson: All three are thoughtfully and generously caring for older gentlemen whose glorious performing careers are all but behind them at this point, but each, thankfully, still have some “gas” left in their respective talent tanks.
They’re all immensely blessed to have people who are close to them in their lives, and who dedicate their lives to ensuring they live comfortably and with dignity, while also caring for and protecting the immense and cherished legacies of their beloved charges.
Gaga took legendary singer, Tony Bennett (who passed away July 21, 2023 at 96), under her wing the last decade or more, and the former Melinda Ledbetter had been married to the Beach Boy, Brian Wilson, now 81, for almost 30 years, before her unfortunate passing in January 2024 at 77.
Nic just happens to have a legend in-family. His legend just turned 72, and has had a tough physical go of it this century. It’s all easy to look up, so we won’t dwell on Phil’s general physical deterioration here. It all boils down, though, to the recent Genesis tour, where Phil was relegated to a chair in which to sing down-stage, rendered physically unable to man the drum kit, behind which he’s played and sung quite successfully for over 5 decades.
A couple minutes of Nic soloing with Mike + The Mechanics at De Montfort Hall in Leicester, UK on April 22, 2023, as part of the “Refueled! Tour” for Genesis guitarist, Mike Rutherford’s longtime side project:
Enter Nicholas, who has to be Phil’s hero, if not his knight in shining armor.
Nic was announced as the drummer for Genesis’ first reunion in 14 years for “The Last Domino?” tour in 2021.
The tour was comprised of 47 shows across Europe and N. America between September 20, 2021 and March 26, 2022, marking the first Genesis performances since the trio came back together for the “Turn It On Again Tour” in 2007 when Phil reunited with keyboardist, Tony Banks, and guitarist, Mike Rutherford, to reform the trio line-up after a failed attempt to reunite with past members, lead singer, Peter Gabriel and guitarist, Steve Hackett.
The UK leg was rescheduled three times due to the pandemic, with the London gigs rescheduled a fourth time.
Joining Phil (seated up front with a mic) for “The Last Domino? Tour,” were Banks, bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford, the most commercially successful line-up in the band’s history, with longtime tour guitarist, Daryl Stuermer, and Nic on drums.
Nic’s Genesis
Nic was born in Geneva, Switzerland on April 21, 2001, and calls Phil’s third wife, Orianne Cevey, “Mom.” She’s a Swiss national, and worked as Phil’s translator in the mid-’90s. Nic picked up a couple of Dad’s drumsticks at age 3, and a talent and a career were born.
According to ModernDrummer, “[Nic’s] first vivid memories come from his father’s ‘Final Farewell Tour’ in 2004, where Nic was able to watch his dad play drums and sing every night, igniting his passion for music.
“Growing up in Switzerland, Nic played drums as often as he could. However, it wasn’t until he moved to Miami (house shown below), and began playing in different local bands where his passion for drums amplified.
“In addition to his father, Nic cites John Bonham, Danny Carey, [the late] Taylor Hawkins, Gavin Harrison, Stewart Copeland, Chad Smith, and Dave Grohl as his main drumming influences. Nic began playing drums for his father’s solo band at the age of 14 for various charity events.”
“Now, Nic’s main gig lies with his own band, Better Strangers, where he plays and writes along with his bandmates deCasa, Joey Rodriguez, and Yang Waingarten. The group released their debut single, “But I Don’t Know Your Name”, in April 2021 and have been touring extensively in anticipation for their next releases.”
Nic is determined to make a global impact as a drummer and songwriter, and hopes to inspire the next generation of drummers as he does so.
Phil’s actress/daughter (and Nic’s half-sister), Lily Collins (above), paid tribute to her father on Instagram:
“Tonite marks the end of an era. To have witnessed this last show was truly the memory of a lifetime and an event I shall hold in my heart forever. Endlessly grateful doesn’t begin to do it justice.
“So much love was left on that O2 stage and an even bigger amount shared between an audience who didn’t want it to end. Thank you @genesis_band for the memories, thank you dad for being such an inspiration and thank you @nic_collins for making me the proudest sister there is. 50 years of songs later and still generations more to celebrate you long after this tour has finished.”
~ Happy birthday Dad! Thanks for the endless inspiration, support, and love 🤍 you’re my hero ~Nic, January 2023
Excellent, take your kids to work day at FR&B. Imagine having to sign every video with Nic Collins (son of Phil Collins) . My dad (Jim Nabors - gol-leee) was famous, but I broke free of that connection early on...
Glad he is carrying the torch. He looks a lot like dad, too! (And kind of on/off topic here, I just saw Steve Hackett play in San Sebastien last month. He and his band played all of “Foxtrot”! Steve Hackett can still plays like the calm maniac that he is!)