Phil Collins 2 Favorite Drummers Of All Time

Phil Collins found success being the frontman of Genesis. Although he goes around everywhere as a singer, within us, he will always be a drummer. He started his drummer career back in the 80s.

Collins became one of the biggest pop stars in the world by being a frontman for the Genesis. He became an influencing figure for the generations to come. However, Collins will always feel comfortable behind his drumkit.

It’s eager to find out what kind of drummers the icon likes. During a conversation with Modern Drummer in 1997, he gave us the answer and revealed two of his favorite drummers.

Phil Collins 2 Favorite Drummers Of All Time

Buddy Rich

Back in the day, Jazz was one of Phil Collins’ most influential genres. During an interview with BBC 6 Radio, he revealed about the legendary jazz drummer Buddy Rich.

“I think he is (The greatest drummer of all time). You can say what you like about Buddy. A lot of people have said bad things. I met him once. First of all, with the playing alongside The Beatles and The Who, and all the pop star, I was also listening to big-band jazz.”

“So Count Basie was someone on his band. Buddy Rich and I came across this ‘West Side Story’ medley of Buddy Rich in 1965. Still is an incredible piece of work. If you never heard you should. He is on top form troughout the whole thing. So for me, I just wanted to do that one day. Which is why I did my big band,” Phil Collins added.

He said that Rich was one of the best drummers in the world. Unfortunately Rich died in 1987, and both of the artists knew each other but they didn’t have the opportunity to share the stage together.

However, in 1988  Rich’s daughter invited Collins to perform a tribute concert for her father. “I think it would be impossible for anybody, to not get something, to not get something out of watching Buddy,” he told in A Salute To Buddy Rich documentary.

Collins also recalled the moment when the band’s rehearsal just got completed and everybody was getting up to leave, at the same time “Birdland” by Rich was playing on the TV. His playstyle was so unique that everyone sat down and paid close attention to it and wondered how he played like that.

“I remember the day I got it. I remember looking at the picture (and saying): ‘So this is that man’. Then going back and listening to it. Of course, the ‘West-Side Story Medley’, which is still one of my favorite pieces of music,” Phil Collins recalled the moment when he first heard Rich in 1966.

Harold Jones

The other favorite drummer of Collins was also a traditional pop and jazz drummer. He was no other than Harold Jones. He was the drummer for Tony Bennett who’s known for hits such as ‘If I Ruled The World’ and ‘Cold, Cold Heart.

“I wanted to play in a big band ever since I heard Buddy Rich’s ‘West Side Story’ medley,” Collins said to Modern Drummer in 1997. “Buddy along with Basie drummer Harold Jones, are two of my all-time favorites. The way they played with that energy and technique. (That) was a real inspiration for me,”