The problem is, despite the fact that it has just the right amount of humanity and controversy that spells a “sweet spot” to sell publications, that story is certainly suspect. According to Collins on his site, he simply wants to be a dad without the rigors of doing a job he can’t physically do. That’s all, nothing else. At the same time, there are verifiable interviews where he gave his frustration/depression an outlet. And Collins has certainly been at this game long enough to know that, when a reporter's around, the juicier stuff is gonna get printed no matter how it might come out of your mouth. Make no mistake, Collins knew better. He simply said it anyway.
As far as his PR and label not wanting him to quit, that may be where some of the controversy is coming from as well. It’s an angle that’s gone invisible because the image of a self-loathing, depressed pariah of musical hatred have completely overshadowed it. All indications from those he’s making money for indicate that they don’t want to lose future income by having him walk away. Why that matters is a mystery to me as Collins, between his solo work and his time with Genesis, has a cash cow of a catalogue that should last well-nigh forever.
All in all, what should have been an announcement of a retirement has turned in to a circus. Some of it may have to do with how the media loves the image of him as an exile too much to let it go, and his employers don’t want to see their golden goose disappear. Some of it may have to do with some form of damage control, although, if Collins was that depressed to say it in a public forum in the first place, why would he care enough to try and spin it back now? Or is that more behind-the-scenes manipulation between his employers? This will certainly be followed, and it’ll be very interesting to see how this continues to play out.
Thanks for reading once again and I’ll see you again soon.
Article comments
1 - Alan Kurtz
Thank you SO MUCH for this long-awaited and much-needed article "Hello, I Must Be Going: The Retirement of Phil Collins."
I say long-awaited and much-needed because it's been almost an entire week since Blogcritics' first article titled "Hello, I Must be Going?: Phil Collins Retires from the Music Business."
Making us wait nearly seven days for another "Hello, I Must Be Going" article about Phil Collins's retirement is really kind of cruel. Here's hoping Blogcritics' scribes can crank out "Hello, I Must Be Going" more frequently than once a week. Geez.
2 - grimmless
Excellent article. I wasn't even aware of this whole situation until recently. Freaky. I completely respect Mr. Collins decision to dedicate his time to his children. Fuck the haters.
3 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Ummm... I'm pretty sure he said that he was fairly done with his music career when he was doing interviews for the album "Going Back". At least, that's what he said when he spoke with Mark Hoppus on "A Different Spin". [can't find a clip of the whole interview]
BUT, if those people (and fans) who really care about his position only rely on the word from one source (FHM) - especially on the internet - then they deserve the confusion. Seriously, who wouldn't check his official website & wait for an official comment?! For example, when Mike Portnoy left Dream Theater, I searched DT's website, MetalSucks.net, Blabbermouth & Mike's own website before coming to the conclusion that it was true.... All this other speculation is freaking retarded!
4 - cherie g craighead
I love Phil collins music.He has given me and his fans many years of happiness. Phil'like the one line in The Blindside we got your back and respect your decision to be a full-time dad to Nicholas &Mathew