Phil Collins with Genesis. Caryl's audition was unsuccessful; bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford thought he was not a good fit for the group (they selected Steve Hackett in January 1971 as their new lead guitarist, following a stint with Mick Barnard). From 1970 to 1975, Collins played drums and percussion, and sang (largely backing) vocals on Genesis albums and in their live shows. His first album recorded with the band, "Nursery Cryme", was recorded and released in 1971. "For Absent Friends", an acoustic track written by Collins and Hackett, is the first Genesis song with Collins on lead vocals. He sang "More Fool Me"
Phil Collins the lesser-known London band the Action, whose drummer he would copy and whose work introduced him to the soul music of Motown and Stax Records. Collins was also influenced by the jazz and big band drummer Buddy Rich, whose opinion on the importance of the hi-hat prompted him to stop using two bass drums and start using the hi-hat. While attending Chiswick County School for Boys, Collins formed a band called the Real Thing, and later joined the Freehold, with whom he wrote his first song, "Lying Crying Dying". Collins began a career as a child actor while at the