Phil Collins is one of the most respected musicians in rock history. He is known as a talented drummer, a powerful singer, and a successful songwriter. Most fans recognize him for his long career with Genesis and for his hugely popular solo work. Songs like In the Air Tonight, Against All Odds, and Another Day in Paradise made him a global star. But even with all this success, Collins once admitted something surprising: there was one band he would have left Genesis to join.
That band was The Who.
Before Phil Collins became famous, he was simply a passionate music fan. Like many young musicians growing up in Britain in the 1960s, he was deeply inspired by loud, energetic rock bands. One group stood above the rest for him — The Who. Their music was powerful, emotional, and explosive. A huge part of that sound came from their drummer, Keith Moon.
Keith Moon was not a typical drummer. He played with wild energy, fast fills, and little concern for rules. His style was chaotic but exciting, and it helped define The Who’s identity. Phil Collins admired Moon greatly and has often spoken about how influential he was on his own drumming style.
In 1978, Keith Moon passed away, leaving a massive hole in The Who. Around this time, Collins was still a key member of Genesis, but the band had not yet reached the peak of their commercial success. In a later interview, Collins revealed that if The Who had asked him to join as Moon’s replacement, he would have said yes — even if it meant leaving Genesis. In his own words, he said he “absolutely would have joined The Who.”
This admission surprised many fans. Genesis would soon become one of the biggest bands in the world, especially after Collins took over lead vocals following Peter Gabriel’s departure. Albums like Duke, Invisible Touch, and We Can’t Dance turned Genesis into a stadium-filling act. Still, Collins’ honesty showed how deeply he admired The Who and how much their music meant to him personally.
In the end, Collins never joined The Who. The band chose a different drummer and later continued with Zak Starkey, the son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr. Collins has spoken positively about Starkey, praising his playing and saying he carries some of Keith Moon’s spirit while still being his own musician.
Phil Collins stayed with Genesis, where he helped shape their most successful era and built a solo career that few artists can match. Yet his confession about The Who gives fans a rare glimpse into his heart as a musician. It reminds us that even legends have heroes, and even the most successful artists still dream about playing with the bands that inspired them when they were young.