David Crigler’s Reviews > Not Dead Yet: The Memoir > Status Update

Phil struggles with childcare and touring and everything. He goes back and forth with live aid between Wembley and Philly. He is exhausted and when all is done he wants to go back to New York

Phil gets really big with his own album and helping others. He reflects on his wedding with Jill and his friendship with Eric Clapton. Also discusses his iconic song Easy Lover with Philip Bailey. He reflects on the importance of family as well.

Phil started to produce music. He helped Frida from ABBA and others asked him as well. Phil has success from face value and decides to make another album. It does well because of his Motown covers as to which he questions his ability as a song writer. Genesis makes their albums as well which are successful. Phil wins a Grammy and gets nominated for best original song at the Oscar’s.

Phil’s wife Andy has an affair. Genesis and Phil still record together, but Phil is also in the process of doing his first solo album. He makes his hit “In the Air Tonight” and most of his writing is about his experiences with Andy.

Phil gets married to his first wife Andy and they have a kid. He tours a lot so Andy is by herself taking care of the children. Genesis is making an album and needs vocals and they audition for singers. They have no luck until Phil offers to sing and they thinks it’s rather good. Phil now takes over as lead vocalist for Genesis. The drums was his shield from the audience and now he’s lead singer.

Phil’s father dies and he reflects on that for awhile. Genesis is going on tour, but are actually in a lot of debt from touring and lack of interest. They eventually get to making “The lamb lies down on Broadway” as well. Peter Gabriel tells the others he’s leaving as well.

Phil recalls how he started getting more in tune with Genesis. He talks about how he met Tony, Peter and Mike. Phil lived with Mike and they shortly going on more gigs and tours.

Phil gets a call and has an opportunity to play at Abbey Road. He agreed not knowing who it was only for it to be George Harrison recording his solo post Beatles album. Phil plays drums in the background for it and he is so excited to buy the album when it came out. He’s so happy to only find out later that they used a different mix. 30 years later Phil got a joke tape from George saying that he’s a conga player.

Phil reflects on how he met Ronny and how he was a jobless drummer. He auditioned a lot and got roles in movies as extras. Ultimately he started drumming and also sang. He joined many bands and someone told him he should sing as well as drum, but he wanted to just drum. Phil doesn’t know what’s in store for him until he’s given the right opportunity.

Phil started his musical stuff very young. He took many lessons as he started to grow up. Influenced by acting and piano/drum lessons he started off uniquely. Phil acted in Oliver and loved acting and lost his voice one time only to be his last time. He later acted in Oliver later on. Phil formed a band later on and emulated his favorite band Action. He’s influenced by many drummers who were his heroes now friends.