Phil Collins
While other major artists trudge painfully through a handful of over promoted releases each decade; this drummer/actor/singer/producer has been constantly active in all manner of contradictory and unlikely projects. His history with Genesis is well documented from their art-house beginnings to multi-platinum status as the band grew up, lost Steve Hackett and then Peter Gabriel and ended up making videos with tongues firmly in their cheeks. Collins launched his solo career twenty nine years ago with âFace Valueâ (â81), followed by âHello, I Must Be Goingâ (â82), âNo Jacket Requiredâ (â85), ââŚBut Seriouslyâ (â89), âBoth Sidesâ (â93), âDance Into The Lightâ (â96) and âTestifyâ (â02) picking up numerous awards including 7 Grammyâs, 2 Oscar nominations and a Golden Globe for âTwo Heartsâ. After leaving Genesis in 1996 he released a âHitsâ album in 1998. Between Philâs solo and Genesis recordings and excluding his other activities, Phil has sold over 200 million records. His acting CV reveals that he first trod the boards at 14 when he took the role of the Artful Dodger in a West End production of âOliverâ.  He also made childhood cameos in the Beatles âA Hard Days Nightâ (â64) and âChitty Chitty Bang Bangâ (â69).  Since then heâs starred with Julie Walters in âBusterâ (â88), took the lead role as the arch-villain in âFraudsâ (â92), made a brief appearance in Spielbergâs âHookâ (â92) and played the Greek owner of a chain of gay bath houses in âAnd The Band Played Onâ (â92).  In addition to this Phil âThe Spivâ turned up in a 1985 episode of Miami Vice and four years later he took the part of Uncle Ernie in The Whoâs rock opera âTommyâ. He has written songs for the Disney Featureâs âTarzanâ and âBrother Bearâ.  âYouâll Be In My Heartâ from âTarzanâ won a Golden Globe Award for âBest Song Written For A Filmâ.  This song, in addition to the soundtrack was also nominated in the Grammys and won for âBest Original Song In A Movieâ.  Phil also won an Oscar for the same song in March 2000.Â