Introduction
Before embarking on his ‘Not Dead Yet’ Tour, music icon Phil Collins began facing serious nerve issues in his hands, making it difficult for him to play the drums as he once did. But rather than step away from the stage, Phil made a touching decision—he brought along someone very close to his heart: his son, Nic Collins, who stepped in to handle the drums during the tour, which ran from 2016 to 2019.
In a touching moment during the Houston stop of the tour, the roles were unexpectedly reversed. Instead of sitting behind the drum kit, Nic took a seat at the piano while Phil stepped forward to sing. The audience was treated to not just a performance, but a father-son exchange that warmed hearts across the arena.
Before performing, Phil shared how he had once shown Nic his catalog of solo work. Nic had found one song that particularly stood out to him. With a smile, Phil joked, “Just one,” to which Nic replied, “Two songs… but mainly just one.” That one song turned out to be “You Know What I Mean” from Phil’s debut solo album, Face Value. Together, they delivered a beautiful rendition of the track—Phil on vocals and Nic at the piano—that left a lasting impression on the crowd.
The performance was met with an outpouring of love from fans online. Many expressed how moved they were to see Phil continue performing despite his health struggles. The video quickly gained traction, surpassing 2.7 million views, with viewers praising both the emotional moment and the talent shared between father and son. One comment summed up the sentiment beautifully: “Wonderful to see father and son together that way.”
Nic Collins didn’t just fill in—he shined in his own right. Throughout the tour, he displayed impressive musical skill, particularly on the drums. That same night in Houston, Nic joined percussionist Richie Garcia in a thrilling drum duet, showing off his rhythm and energy as his proud father watched from the side. The energy ramped up even more when Phil joined the two for a memorable drum trio performance, with Nic playing the cajón, a box-shaped percussion instrument.
Nic’s journey didn’t end with the 2019 tour. He later rejoined his father for the Genesis reunion tour from 2020 to 2022, once again providing the beat behind the legacy. Since then, he has performed with Mike + The Mechanics, fronted by Genesis member Mike Rutherford. And for those who want to follow Nic’s path as an independent artist, he launched his own band, Better Strangers, in 2022—a project that continues to build momentum.
Nic Collins is not only carrying on the musical tradition of his father, but also forging his own identity in the music world. With undeniable talent and deep family roots in music, it’s safe to say his future in the industry looks bright.
If this performance moved you, consider showing your support by subscribing to Phil Collins’ official YouTube channel, where you’ll find more heartwarming collaborations between Phil and Nic. You can also follow both on their official Instagram and Facebook pages for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes moments from their lives and careers.