Phil Collins Reveals Near-Death Experience During 2024 Alcoholism Battle

The 2024 Health Crisis and Hospitalization

In a wide-ranging interview with The Sunday Times published on Sunday, August 3, Phil Collins detailed his recent struggles with alcohol addiction and a life-threatening health ordeal. The 75-year-old musician revealed that he was hospitalized in Switzerland following a relapse. While Source 1 states the hospitalization occurred in April 2024, Source 2 notes that he was first admitted in November 2023, discharged before Christmas, and then rushed back into intensive care several weeks later.

During this period, Collins lay unconscious in intensive care as his physical condition deteriorated rapidly. His manager of 50 years summoned the singer's five children to his bedside, as medical professionals and family members feared he would not survive. Collins described the severity of his organ failure during the interview:

“Because there were some decisions to be made about ‘Do we keep Phil on life support?’ kind of thing. My kidneys were packing up, my organs were just seizing up. People were coming to say goodbye. But I don’t remember them coming, I didn’t have no idea this was going on. They were all worried that they wouldn’t see me again. It could all have gone so terribly wrong.”

— Phil Collins

The former Genesis member ultimately spent seven months in the hospital recovering from the ordeal. Reflecting on his survival, he stated,

“I was very lucky to have come out of that. Needless to say, I haven’t had a drink since.”

— Phil Collins

A Long-Standing Battle with Addiction

Collins has been open about his history with alcoholism for over a decade. He was previously admitted to intensive care in 2012 with acute pancreatitis, an event that led to a period of sobriety. In his 2016 memoir, Not Dead Yet, he wrote about the isolation of his addiction, which was partly fueled by health issues and persistent back injuries.

“Night after night I find myself lying on the bed, staring out of a skylight at grey Swiss skies, rueing my life. I’m all alone, save for my good friends Johnnie Walker and Grey Goose.”

— Phil Collins

Though he utilized the medication Antabuse to maintain sobriety for a time, Collins admitted that he eventually began abusing alcohol again, though he cannot pinpoint exactly when the relapse started.

“When I was drinking, the calendar goes out the window. But I’d have wine when I woke up. That was what I’d want for breakfast, a glass of wine. But I didn’t drink into the night, you know. So I wasn’t really aware of having a problem, to be honest.”

— Phil Collins

Earlier this year, Collins noted that he has a 24-hour live-in nurse to ensure he adheres to his medication schedule. He described the last few years as "difficult" and "frustrating," citing five separate surgeries on his knee and numerous operations on his spine. Due to nerve damage, the legendary musician is no longer able to drum and last performed live in 2022 during the Genesis farewell tour.

Reconciliation and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction

Beyond his health, Collins discussed mending his relationship with former Beatle Paul McCartney. The rift began after Collins claimed in a previous interview that McCartney had treated him "condescendingly." McCartney later reached out to express his disappointment, allegedly telling Collins not to be so "sacrosanct."

“I’m not sure what that means, but anyway it kind of left a bad taste in my mouth and obviously left a bad taste in his. I wish I hadn’t said it, although it did happen. But we’ve made up, he’s happy about the fact that we discussed it, and I’m happy we discussed it, so it was just really lovely that it’s gone full circle now.”

— Phil Collins

The two reconciled after Collins wrote McCartney a letter regarding a charity auction for the King’s Trust, to which McCartney agreed to donate an item.

In November, Collins will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist, joining a class that includes Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross, and the Wu-Tang Clan. Collins, who was previously inducted as a member of Genesis in 2010, commented on the late timing of his solo induction:

“I think people on the board thought I was already in. [Had I not been inducted], I’d have just put it down to being English and just being invisible.”

— Phil Collins

Artist Context

Known for his extensive career in Pop Rock, Phil Collins first rose to prominence as the drummer and later the lead singer of Genesis. According to verified artist data, Collins' musical journey began in 1951, and he has since become one of the most recognizable figures in the Pop and Rock genres. His solo induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame follows decades of chart-topping success, though his recent years have been defined by the physical challenges and health battles detailed in his latest interview.