Phil Collins is coming out of retirement after 10 years to go on a European tour.
The 65-year-old musician will perform a five-night residency at London’s Royal Albert Hall in June followed by two nights in Cologne, Germany, and a further pair of concerts in Paris, France, as part of his ‘Not Dead Yet: Live 2017 Tour’.
The ‘Against All Odds’ hitmaker will be joined on tour by his 15-year-old son Nicholas who will play the drums, and Phil cannot wait to get back on stage.
Speaking at a press conference at the Royal Albert Hall today (17.10.16) hosted by Jools Holland, Phil said: "I’m looking forward to it.
"I’ve bitten the bullet because I did those three truncated shows at these charity events and when you first go out and haven’t done it for 10 years certainly on your own, the reaction was very warming.
"The band play better than I do so it’s really something I’m looking forward to, especially having Nicholas on the drums because of his influences, [John] Bonham and Chas Smith and me.
"There’s a great communication between us. He doesn’t get offended. He’s a fantastic drummer."
Phil admitted his fans can expect some impulsiveness in between his songs, but warned supporters not to expect much spontaneity while he and his 12-piece band are performing his collection of hits.
He added: "When you’ve got a 12-piece band you can’t be too spontaneous. The show grows and things develop during the rehearsal period.
"When you’ve got a song I played on my own on record then you give it to 12 great musicians it’s going to sound great.
"What can happen in between tunes can be spontaneous."
Phil hinted there could be further shows to come after the nine announced today, but admitted he will need to have a rest following the upcoming run of gigs after 10 years away from the stage.
He said: "We’re doing a week here. Five nights anyway. Then five in Cologne and five in Paris. Then I’m going to have a lie down. That’s as far as we’ve got anyway.
"I was brought up old school when going on tour was like going to war – you never knew when you’d come back. But that’s different now."
Phil Collins’ Not Dead Yet: Live 2017 Tour dates:
June 2017
4th – London – Royal Albert Hall
5th – London – Royal Albert Hall
7th – London – Royal Albert Hall
8th – London – Royal Albert Hall
9th – London – Royal Albert Hall
11th – Cologne LANXESS Arena
12th – Cologne LANXESS Arena
18th – Paris Accor Hotels Arena
19th – Paris Accor Hotels Arena