Phil Collins turned 75 and has faced one of the most brutal health journeys in all of rock music history. The Genesis legend stepped back into public view in May 2026, giving fans worldwide hope.
The iconic drummer has battled spinal injuries, nerve damage, five knee surgeries, kidney disease, and type 2 diabetes at once. His courage in speaking out has inspired millions of loyal music fans around the world.
The Buckingham Palace moment
On May 14, 2026, Phil Collins attended The King’s Trust 50th Anniversary Party held at Buckingham Palace. He was joined by ex-wife Jill Collins, Rod Stewart, and Rod’s wife Penny Lancaster for this very occasion.
Photos showed Collins standing with forearm crutches at the royal event beside his close companions. His ex-wife, Jill, posted the image on Instagram and shared that she and Phil truly felt honored to be there.
A special meeting with King Charles
The King’s Trust holds very deep personal meaning for Phil Collins. Jill revealed that Phil was the charity’s very first ambassador 40 years ago and had been a trustee long before that ambassador role existed.
During the event, Collins and Jill enjoyed a very private moment with King Charles himself at the palace. Jill posted on Instagram that King Charles seemed genuinely pleased and happy to see Phil there again.
What is The King’s Trust
The King’s Trust is a UK nonprofit founded by King Charles III. It helps disadvantaged young people across the United Kingdom through training programs, mentorship opportunities, and direct financial support for those who need it.
Collins and Jill donated hundreds of items from their personal archives to a special charity auction for the event. Phil designed a limited edition T-shirt with all proceeds going directly to benefit The King’s Trust.
The 2007 spinal injury that started it all
Phil Collins suffered a life-altering spinal injury in 2007 while touring with Genesis on a reunion run. The injury damaged vertebrae in his upper neck and caused severe nerve damage that lasted nearly two decades.
One very painful result of that spinal damage was a condition called drop foot. This neurological issue makes lifting the front of the foot very difficult when walking. Collins began using a cane in 2015.
Five knee surgeries and ongoing pain
The spinal nerve damage worsened his gait and led to serious knee deterioration over many long years. In January 2026, Collins revealed to BBC Two host Zoe Ball that he had undergone five separate knee operations.
After his fifth knee surgery, Collins said he finally had a knee that worked properly again. He added that he could walk, but only with the help of crutches or similar assistance every single day.
Kidney damage and the road to sobriety
Collins also developed serious kidney damage from years of heavy alcohol consumption during the day. He revealed in a January 2026 BBC interview that drinking had quietly taken a very major toll on his health.
He spent months in the hospital recovering as his kidney condition worsened over a significant amount of time. Collins also shared good news. He had proudly celebrated two full years of complete sobriety by that point.
Living with diabetes and around-the-clock care
Phil Collins also manages type 2 diabetes on top of his other serious medical conditions and challenges. Nerve damage, surgeries, kidney disease, and diabetes together created an overwhelming health burden for this iconic rock legend.
In January 2026, Collins revealed he requires a 24-hour live-in nurse to manage his medications and daily care needs. He told BBC’s Zoe Ball that everything that could possibly go wrong seemed to converge.
His son took over the drums
Collins noticed during a Genesis tour that he was losing power and grip in his left hand one night. He hoped it would improve, but the nerve damage proved to be permanent and kept getting worse.
His son Nic Collins took over drumming while Phil sang seated during the 2022 Genesis farewell tour. Collins retired from live performance when that final tour ended. It marked a deeply emotional end of an era.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame solo induction
Collins was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 as a Genesis member. In April 2026, he was confirmed as a Hall of Fame Class of 2026 inductee as a soloist.
If inducted solo, Collins will become only the fourth drummer in history to earn this top honor twice. The ceremony takes place on November 14, 2026, in Los Angeles, and Collins said he was very flattered.
Signs of hope and a possible comeback
In a BBC Breakfast interview, Collins delivered the most hopeful health update that fans had heard in many years. He stated clearly that he was healthier now than he had been for quite a while.
When asked about performing live, Collins said he would contemplate returning to the stage. He also said he often thinks about going back to his home studio. His last original album was Testify in 2002.
Featured Image: Photo by Raph_PH on Wikimedia Commons
