| Collins career began as a child actor/singer who appeared as "the Artful Dodger" in the London production of "Oliver!" in 1964. (He also has a cameo in "A Hard Day's Night," among other films.) He got his first break in music at the end of his teens, when he was chosen to be a replacement drummer in the British art-rock band Genesis in 1970. Genesis was fronted by singer Peter Gabriel. They had achieved a moderate level of success in the U.K. and the U.S., with elaborate concept albums, before Gabriel abruptly left for a solo career in 1974. Genesis auditioned 400 singers without success, then decided to let Collins have a go. The result was a gradual simplifying of Genesis' sound and an increasing focus on Collins's expressive, throaty voice. The group became a polished pop/rock/dance band scoring hits on all charts. On the club scene Genesis scored several hits with "Abacab," "Invisible Touch" and "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight." By 1981 Collins decided to also pursue a solo career and still remain with Genesis. He began having 12" single club hits almost immediately. "You Can't Hurry Love" (1983), "Don't Lose My Number" (1984), "Sussudio" (1985), "Take Me Home" (1986), "Something Happened On The Way To Heaven" (1990) and "Hang In Long Enough" (1991). He balanced his club/pop hits with a successful roster of Adult Contemporary charting ballads during the 1980's. In 1992, Genesis released "We Can't Dance" and began an extensive tour. Upon its completion, Collins released "Both Sides" in 1993, and the record became his first album not to produce a major hit single or go multi-platinum. In 1995, he announced that he was leaving Genesis permanently. The following year, he released "Dance Into The Light." Although the album was a flop, its subsequent supporting tour was a success. "The Hits" collection followed in 1998, and a year later Collins made his first big band record, "Hot Night In Paris." |
