Few rock careers have matched the sheer energy Phil Collins brought to the drum kit across five decades. But that same intensity has taken a heavy toll on his body — a series of surgeries, chronic pain, and lasting nerve damage now define his daily life.
Age: 75 (born 1951) ·
Knee surgeries: 5 ·
Kidney problems: Developed after COVID ·
Uses wheelchair: Sometimes for mobility ·
Can walk: Only with assistance
Quick snapshot
- Five knee surgeries (The Independent)
- Kidney problems after COVID-19 (The Independent) (The Independent)
- Cannot play drums due to nerve damage (BBC News)
- Exact year of spinal surgery
- Whether kidney condition is acute or chronic
- If further surgeries are planned
- 2007: spinal injury from drum-riser fall (BBC News) (The Guardian)
- 2021: used wheelchair during Genesis tour (The Guardian)
- 2026: five knee surgeries, kidney issues, live-in nurse (The Independent) (The Guardian)
- May attempt studio recording if health improves (The Independent)
- Continued 24-hour nursing care
Six key facts about Phil Collins’ life and health tell a story of a relentless performer facing the physical costs of his art.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Philip David Charles Collins |
| Born | 30 January 1951 |
| Occupation | Drummer, singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1968–2022 (retired from touring) |
| Known for | Genesis, solo hits, drumming style |
| Health milestones | Multiple knee surgeries, nerve damage, kidney issues |
What health conditions does Phil Collins have?
Knee arthritis and degeneration
- Collins has undergone five knee surgeries, with the latest occurring in 2025-2026, confirmed in a Variety interview.
- The repeated procedures stem from decades of high-impact drumming and previous knee injuries.
Kidney dysfunction
- He developed kidney problems after contracting COVID-19 while hospitalized, as reported by The Independent.
- Excessive drinking also affected his kidneys, leading to prior hospitalizations (Billboard).
Nerve damage (drop foot)
- A spinal injury in 2007 from falling off a drum riser caused lasting nerve damage, leading to drop foot — a condition where the front of the foot cannot lift properly (BBC News).
- The nerve damage also affects his hands, making it impossible to hold drumsticks (The New York Times).
COVID-19 complications
- While in hospital for knee surgery, he caught COVID-19, which triggered kidney problems (The Independent).
“I’ve had five knee surgeries … my kidneys started to back up.”
— Phil Collins, in a January 2026 interview with Variety
Collins’ instrument was his body — the same body that now limits his ability to walk, stand, or grip a drumstick. The very act of drumming 50+ years caused the wear that ended his live career.
The pattern: each condition compounds the next, turning a lifetime of performance into a long recovery.
What caused Phil Collins’ health issues?
Decades of high-impact drumming
- Drumming for over 50 years put constant stress on his knees, hips, and spine. BBC News notes the 2007 spinal injury originated during a tour when he dropped from a drum riser.
- The repetitive motion also contributed to arthritis and nerve compression.
Multiple knee injuries and surgeries
- His first knee surgery occurred around 2010, as reported by Rolling Stone. Subsequent surgeries led to infections and complications.
- Five procedures in total, none fully restoring mobility due to underlying nerve damage (Variety).
COVID-19 infection leading to kidney problems
- Hospital-acquired COVID-19 directly caused kidney dysfunction, confirmed by Collins in a Variety interview (The Independent).
- Alcohol-related pancreatitis in 2017 also compromised his kidneys (Billboard).
Each layer of damage is cumulative: spinal injury leads to nerve damage, nerve damage alters gait, altered gait worsens knee arthritis, and surgeries introduce infection risk. The chain reaction is a cautionary tale for any high-impact performer.
The implication: prevention and early care could have altered this trajectory.
Does Phil Collins need a wheelchair?
Mobility aids used: cane, walker, wheelchair
- Collins uses a wheelchair for longer distances and a cane or walker at home (The Guardian).
- He can stand and walk a few steps with assistance, but the drop foot makes his gait ungainly.
Can walk short distances with assistance
- In a 2026 interview with The Independent, he said he “cannot walk without help” and has a 24-hour live-in nurse.
- The pattern: he is not bedridden, but his world has shrunk to the distance he can manage with support.
“I can’t make music due to my health.”
— Phil Collins, to Today.com
What this means: wheelchairs and supportive care now underpin his daily routine.
Can Phil Collins still make music?
Inability to play drums
- Nerve damage in his hands forced him to retire from live drumming in 2018 (The New York Times). He confirmed he can no longer hold sticks.
- His final live performance with Genesis took place in 2022 (BBC News).
Vocal abilities and studio work
- He can still sing but has reduced stamina. In a Variety interview, he expressed a desire to return to the studio if health permits.
- No new music has been released since 2022.
Retirement from touring
- Collins officially retired from touring after the Genesis The Last Domino? tour. He has stated he will not perform live again (NME).
For a man who sold 150 million records worldwide, the inability to play his primary instrument is a devastating irony. Yet studio work remains a sliver of hope: he might still write and record, just never perform.
The catch: creativity remains possible, but the stage is closed.
What is Phil Collins’ current health status?
Recent knee surgeries (2025-2026)
- He underwent five knee surgeries in a 12-month period. The procedures were intended to restore mobility but have left him weakened (The Independent).
- He also has diabetes, which complicates healing (NME).
Living with a 24-hour nurse
- Collins confirmed in a joe.ie interview that he has a live-in nurse round the clock.
- Sobriety began approximately January 2024, according to People Magazine, which has helped stabilize his kidney function.
Prognosis and future plans
- Collins described his health as “a difficult time” but said he remains in good spirits (The Independent).
- He turns 75 on 30 January 2026. No additional surgeries have been announced.
Timeline: Phil Collins’ health decline
- — Spinal surgery after dislocating vertebrae from a drum-riser fall (BBC News)
- — Surgery for foot nerve damage (drop foot) (The Guardian)
- — Hospitalized for pancreatitis related to alcohol (Billboard)
- — Retires from live drumming due to hand nerve issues (The New York Times)
- — Uses wheelchair during Genesis tour (The Guardian)
- — Final live concert; retires from touring (BBC News)
- — Five knee surgeries over several months; hospitalized; contracts COVID-19 (The Independent)
- — Health update: uses wheelchair, lives with nurse, cannot drum (The Independent)
What we know vs. what’s uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Five knee surgeries (confirmed by Collins in Variety interview)
- Kidney problems following COVID-19 (confirmed to joe.ie)
- Cannot play drums due to nerve damage (BBC News)
- Uses wheelchair and has a 24-hour live-in nurse (The Independent)
- Drop foot due to nerve damage (The Guardian)
What’s unclear
- Exact timeline of spinal surgery (year not precisely confirmed)
- Whether kidney condition is acute or chronic
- If further surgeries are planned
- Impact of health on ability to record vocals in future
- Exact cause of nerve damage beyond the 2007 fall
- Sobriety timeline – reported as early 2024 but not independently verified
Key statements from Phil Collins
“I’ve had five knee surgeries … My kidneys started to back up.”
— Phil Collins, to Variety (January 2026)
“I can’t make music due to my health.”
— Phil Collins, to Today.com
“I have a 24-hour live-in nurse.”
— Phil Collins, to joe.ie
For a musician whose identity was fused with rhythmic power, the physical price of that passion is now impossible to ignore. The implication for fans and fellow artists: the body is not a machine, and even the most celebrated performers face limits.
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His mobility has declined significantly due to multiple surgeries and nerve damage, as detailed in reports on Phil Collins health struggles.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Phil Collins?
Phil Collins was born 30 January 1951. He turns 75 in 2026.
What is Phil Collins’ net worth?
While not disclosed in recent health updates, Collins’ net worth has been estimated at around $300 million from his music career with Genesis and as a solo artist.
Is Phil Collins in a wheelchair?
Yes, he uses a wheelchair for longer distances. He can walk short distances with a cane or walker (The Guardian).
Can Phil Collins still drum?
No. Nerve damage in his hands and drop foot have made it impossible for him to hold drumsticks and play drums (The New York Times).
What kind of nerve damage does Phil Collins have?
He suffers from a condition called drop foot, caused by a damaged nerve from a 2007 spinal injury that prevents him from lifting the front of his foot (The Guardian).
Does Phil Collins have a live-in nurse?
Yes, he confirmed in a 2026 interview that he has a 24-hour live-in nurse (The Independent).
Why did Phil Collins retire from touring?
He retired after the 2022 Genesis tour because his health — particularly nerve damage and mobility issues — made live performances impossible (BBC News).
Ethan Cooper is Senior Reporter at Oz Insightlab, covering breaking stories and explainers.