Posted on 10/07/2010 8:45:08 AM PDT by a fool in paradise
Having made what he says is a musical swan song with his R&B covers album "Going Back," Phil Collins' next project will be in the book world -- and situated deep in the heart of Texas.
Collins tells Billboard.com that he's in the midst of writing a book about his extensive collection of Alamo and Texas Revolution artifacts, stemming from an interest in the topic that started when he saw the Walt Disney film "Davy Crockett" as a child. "It's a huge collection of memorabilia from the Alamo and before and after it, basically the Texas Revolution in general," explains Collins, who's a frequent visitor to and even rents property in San Antonio, near the Alamo site. "It's basically the history of all the things I've collected and putting them in the context of the revolution. It's in progress and it's entertaining."
Collins' collection includes a variety of weapons, armaments clothing from the fort, as well as receipt for nearly three dozen head of cattle signed by Alamo commander William B. Travis and another signed receipt for a horse saddle owned by Alamo survivor and early San Antonio Mayor John W. Smith.
Collins says his deadline for the book is mid-2011, with publication due in 2012.
Meanwhile he's holding firm to his declarations that "Going Back," which debuted at No. 1 on the U.K. and Euro charts, is likely his final musical statement as a performer due to health issues that all but prevent him from playing drums anymore. "I think if this record hadn't happened I wouldn't be doing anything," says Collins, who after Genesis' reunion tour in 2007 decided to devote more time to being at home in Switzerland with the youngest of his five children, nine-year-old Nicholas and five-year-old Matthew. "I'm not anticipating doing anything else. If I do write songs...I don't know about putting them out on an album or anything like that. I don't really have the desire to do that now.
"It bothers me a lot less than people think it probably would. I'm not one to go 'If only...' and 'What if...?' This is what I'm dealt with, you know? In life, one door closes and another opens. I'm certainly proud of the things I've done. I've pushed my particular envelope wider than a lot of people probably remember. There's always going to be some things you wish you'd done differently, but in general I'm very proud of what I've done and there's not a lot I haven't tried."
Collins will be giving fans one more musical souvenir when he releases the DVD "Going Back -- Live at the Roseland Ballroom" on Nov. 2, filmed during a thee-night stand in New York City that were part of a seven-show early summer run to preview the album. Featuring members of Motown's Funk Brothers and Genesis touring members Chester Thompson and Darryl Stuermer, the 26-song performance features several Motown songs not included on the "Going Back" album plus an interview with Collins.
Rock/History artifacts PING
A Brit who lives in Switzerland has an Alamo collection. How strange is that?
I remember seeing the Davy Crockett movies, too. Some 60 years later, I got to see the Alamo. I was shocked! You have to go outside to change your mind. It really made me appreciate how such a small group of men managed to hold off such a major attack.
He is a very working class cockney from London. I know the whole Genesis story chapter and verse. The rest of the band - Gabriel, Rutherford and Banks graduated from a very exclusive private (called public in the UK) high school. Hackett (guitarist) was more middle class from Pimlico in London.
Phil was also a very good drummer.
If you go about 2 hours west of San Antonio, to Bracketville TX, you can see the movie set that John Wayne had built on some land that supposedly looked like San Antonio at the time of the Alamo fight.
Interesting. I live 70 miles from the Alamo, Phil Collins lives in Switzerland and knows more about it’s physical history than I do. Of course being a rock star he’s got the $$$ to buy the artifacts. Should be an interesting book.
I have to hand it to him, following a dream. I hope he gets the history right.
cool.
Only in America
hat tip to Yogi Berra.
My husband spent a day at the Alamo in July, and we were surprised to find out how much artifacts Phil Collins owns. I think he even donated some of his possessions to the museum. It was a wonderful experience, and to realize the history that is encompassed there. We really enjoyed it.
Phil Collins is an Arse.
He royaly screwed over my Buddy Rahm Lee cause him to lose his house.
Phil Collins is a scum bag.
Louis Scattergood had been involved with a court battle, recently, involving Phil Collins regarding a Court Suit, along with Rahmlee Davis, regarding a live album and alleged royalties dating back to 1990.
He told the judge he had been living on state benefits since the royalties ended, while Rahmlee Davis, from California, said he had to pawn his musical equipment and instruments.
I specifically remember one of his music videos that villified Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. That don't sit well with me.
I do know that many Europeans are very into the whole Old West culture and eat it up in movies and shows from the US.
The fact that he is into this particular battle is not surprising if you have experience with it. I ran into a couple from Belgium in Gettysburg, PA, and they knew the history of the battle inside and out.
Collins’ collection includes a variety of weapons, armaments clothing from the fort, as well as receipt for nearly three dozen head of cattle signed by Alamo commander William B. Travis and another signed receipt for a horse saddle owned by Alamo survivor and early San Antonio Mayor John W. Smith.
Alamo survivor???
Phil...Your a great performer, but I have a feeling you got taken for a ride on this one...
I won’t trust anything by Phil Collins. I attended his expensive non-Genesis concert years ago and he stopped the music to lecture us about how we treat our homeless. I love wealthy entertainers who tell me I have to donate more money to their new cause. Putz.
I yelled out “just play music!” and I got burning stares from every direction.
If you're right, Collins will probably craft his book as a paean to the bravery of General Santa (Satan) Ana and his troops. He'll then likely follow the libtard line that the Texans were fighting for slavery and against Catholicism. Yak...yak...yak. You know the leftist revisionist drill.
On the other hand, if he does present the truth about this seminal episode in Texas history, I'll be surprised, astonished and totally stuned [sic]. I'll be expecting the worst but hoping for the best.
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