Phil Collins defined progressive rock drumming, American drummer Rich Lackowski wrote: "Phil Collins's grooves in early Genesis recordings paved the way for many talented drummers to come. His ability to make the drums bark with musicality and to communicate so convincingly in odd time signatures left many a drummer tossing on the headphones and playing along to Phil's lead." In 2014, readers of "Rhythm" voted Collins the fourth most influential progressive rock drummer for his work on the 1974 Genesis album "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway". In 2015, MusicRadar named Collins one of the six pioneers of progressive rock drumming. In
Phil Collins he has also said that after a major back surgery, his doctor advised him that if he wanted to play the drums again, all he needed to do was practice as long as he took it step by step. In his 2016 autobiography "Not Dead Yet", Collins acknowledged that he had struggled with an alcohol problem following his retirement and third divorce; however, he also stated in the book that he had been sober for three years. On 8 June 2017, Collins announced he would postpone two scheduled tour stops, on the 8th and the 9th of June. According to