What's your opinion on Phil Collins as a drummer?

Dylan90125:

Dear Mike,
Lot's of people know Collins as a singer but don't even know he's really a drummer. I wonder why. If you have listened to Collins' pre Phil Collins' drumming (if you know what I mean, if you don't, I mean Genesis anno 1972) than you 'd have to agree that he's an amazing drummer.
For example Suppers Ready, the 'against the stream' kinda drumming is very difficult. Well of course not for you.
Anyway what DO you think of Phil.

PS. I kinda lost some of my respect for Peart. I respect you even more now!

Hi Dylan,
In the last issue of Modern Drummer (April 2001) I talked about MANY drummers who I grew up listening to...(both Phil Collins and Chester Thompson were on that list)
A more detailed answer about Phil can be found in that article, but I will say that I LOVE his drumming in the 70's before he was a pop star! (most especially on Foxtrot, Selling England and The Lamb)

MP