Phil Collins - 1982-12-19 Pasadena, CA (2002)

Phil Collins - vocals, drums; Daryl Stuermer - guitar; Chester Thompson - drums; Peter Robinson - keyboards; Mo Foster - bass; Phoenix Horns - Don Myrick, Louis Satterfield, Rhamlee Michael Davis, Michael Harris

Phil Collins delivers a well-crafted set during this show from his first solo tour in 1982. Recorded for The King Biscuit Flower Hour, this is one of three performances captured on the tour for the popular radio concert series. Exciting versions of Collins' biggest hits ("In The Air Tonight," "I Missed Again" and "Like China,") highlight this performance. Collins also delivers a memorable cover of the Supremes classic "You Can't Hurry Love" and closes the show with a very strong arrangement of the Impressions standard, "People Get Ready."

Collins had first built his career as the drummer for the popular British art rock band, Genesis. When lead vocalist Peter Gabriel departed for a solo career after 1975's Lamb Lies Down on Broadway tour, however, Collins was propelled to the edge of the stage as the band's new front man. It was a role that would come easy to Collins. After a painful divorce led to the creation of several introspective demos in 1980, Collins decided it was time to pursue a solo career outside of Genesis.

There's a somewhat shaky mix of intelligent art-rock influenced by his work in Genesis and Brand X, with his newfound pop sensibility exercised in the surprise mega hit solo album, Face Value. By the time he embarked on his first solo U.S. tour in 1982, he had already amassed a number of hits, including "In The Air," "I Missed Again," "I Don't Care Anymore," "Like China," and "It Don't Matter To Me."

Collins was smart enough to wait until he'd released two very successful solo albums before going on his first solo tour. The audience, as a result, is not only familiar with these songs, but is also genuinely excited to hear them. Needless to say, there are no catcalls for Genesis to be heard. His solo revision of "Behind The Lines" is the only actual link to his work with Genesis.

His band, the Fab Jacuzzi's are just that—fabulous. The musicianship in this group is exceptional, and this show is living proof that Collins had assembled a brilliant lineup for this solo tour.