Rock singer and drummer Phil Collins has opened up about a severe health crisis that left his family preparing for the worst. According to NBC News, the Genesis front man said years of alcohol abuse led to a medical emergency that put him in intensive care in Switzerland. Collins said he spent months in the hospital after being admitted for addiction treatment, released, and then hospitalized again. The 75-year-old musician is now recovering and says the ordeal changed his life in lasting ways.

Phil Collins Says Family Was Called to His Bedside

Collins described a period when his condition became so serious that relatives were summoned to be near him. “Because there were some decisions to be made about ‘Do we keep Phil on life support?’ kind of thing,” Collins told The Times of London. He said his kidneys and other organs were failing while he drifted in and out of consciousness. For long stretches, he did not understand how close he was to death. The account adds a stark chapter to the recent health struggles of one of rock music’s most influential performers.

Seven-Month Hospital Stay Changed His Life

The singer said he spent seven months in the hospital and later came to grasp how grave the situation had been. “I was very lucky to have come out of that,” said Collins according to NBC News. “Needless to say, I haven’t had a drink since.” That statement marks a major turning point for the artist, whose career has stretched across decades with Genesis and as a solo star. His latest comments place recovery, not performance, at the center of his life right now.

Lily Collins Shared a Tearful Family Reunion

After leaving the hospital, Collins said a family gathering in London became one of the most meaningful moments of his recovery. He recalled celebrating with loved ones at the end of 2025, including actor Lily Collins. Phil said his daughter “was sitting beside me in tears, saying, ‘I never thought I’d get these moments.’ We had an incredible time. I can’t overemphasize how fantastic it was,” according to The Times of London. The reunion gave the musician a chance to reconnect after a period when survival was far from certain.

Knee Operations Add to Stage Challenges

Collins has also been candid about the physical limits affecting any return to live performance. He has been seen using crutches in public, and he recently spoke about repeated knee surgeries and mobility problems. The veteran musician said on the BBC’s “Eras” podcast in January that he has had five knee operations and can walk only with assistance. Years behind the drum kit have also taken a toll. For a performer so closely tied to rhythm and stage energy, those setbacks remain a major part of his current reality.