JACKET REQUIRED FOR INDUCTION: As part of our continuing effort to discuss the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, each of us has agreed to Keltner-ize a nominee or potential nominee. It's my privilege (and I use that term exceedingly loosely here) to analyze the merits of an induction for Phil Collins as a solo artist. This is purely directed to Collins as a solo artist, and contains minimal, if any, references to his work with Genesis.
1. Was Phil Collins ever regarded as the best artist in rock music? Did anybody, while he was active, ever suggest that Phil Collins was the best artist in rock music?
I'm sure someone at some point suggested that Phil Collins was the best artist in the world. They would be incorrect.
2. Was Phil Collins ever the best artist in rock music in his genre?
See #1 above.
3. Was Phil Collins ever considered the best at his instrument/role?
No. While he's consistently been considered to be a talented drummer and decent vocalist, few (if any) would give him the accolade of being one of the greatest drummers or vocalists ever. Minor points are scored for the relative novelty of being a drummer/vocalist.
4. Did Phil Collins have an impact on a number of other bands?
I think this has to be given as a "yes." While the "followers" list in AllMusicGuide lists almost no other notable bands, Collins really created "Adult Contemporary" as a genre, and a number of his songs have become staples (e.g., "Against All Odds").
5. Was Phil Collins good enough that he could play regularly after passing his prime?
Depends on when you consider his "prime" to be. Arguably, his prime is 1985, with No Jacket Required, and Collins has continued to play to sold out large crowds regularly, both with Genesis (through 1996) and as a solo artist. He's continued to play and generate hits and awards since. I think this is a "yes."
6. Is Phil Collins the very best artist in history that is not in the Hall of Fame?
I think not.
7. Are most bands who have a comparable recording history and impact in the Hall of Fame?
Hard to say, since Collins is really the parent of the "Adult Contemporary" genre, so most of his progeny are not yet Hall eligible. However, given that Genesis is not in the Hall (and seriously, you'd think that either Genesis or Peter Gabriel would go in), the answer to this one has to be "no."
8. Is there any evidence to suggest that Phil Collins was significantly better or worse than is suggested by his records?
Yes. Although Collins has had a (surprisingly) longlived career and an impressive statistical record, there's no question that he and his music are the butt of much joking and ridicule, especially in more recent years--witness this review of his recent effort on Broadway. This factor weighs against induction.
9. Is Phil Collins the best artist in his genre who is eligible for the Hall of Fame?
No, though this is arguable, since much of his "genre," which I'd consider "adult contemporary," is not yet eligible for the Hall of Fame.
10. How many #1 singles/gold records did Phil Collins have? Did Phil Collins ever win a Grammy award? If not, how many times was Phil Collins nominated?
Solely as a solo artist: 1 diamond album (No Jacket Required), 7 Platinum albums (....Hits, Face Value, Serious Hits...Live!, Hello I Must Be Going, But Seriously, Both Sides, Tarzan Soundtrack), 2 Gold albums (Dance Into The Light, Buster Soundtrack), 7 #1 singles ("Against All Odds," "One More Night," "Sussudio," "Separate Lives," "Groovy Kind of Love," "Two Hearts," "Another Day In Paradise"), 7 Grammy awards and 25 total nominations, 1 Oscar, 2 Golden Globes. A powerful statistical case there weighing in favor.
11. How many Grammy-level songs/albums did Phil Collins have? For how long of a period did Phil Collins dominate the music scene? How many Rolling Stone covers did Phil Collins appear on? Did most of the bands with this sort of impact go into the Hall of Fame?
Well, in addition to the #1's charted above, "Take Me Home," "Something Happened On The Way To Heaven," "Dance Into the Light," "In The Air Tonight," "Easy Lover," and the "You Can't Hurry Love" and "True Colors" covers even now get radio play from time to time, and "In The Air Tonight" would probably make a top 50 list of enduring artificacts from 80s pop culture. 1 Rolling Stone cover (1983). The statisitical record and list of individual hits would seem to be Hall of Fame worthy.
12. If Phil Collins was the best band at a concert, would it be likely that the concert would rock?
While Collins has had two successful live albums, the concert would "rock" in a strictly adult contemporary way.
13. What impact did Phil Collins have on rock history? Was he responsible for any stylistic changes? Did he introduce any new equipment? Did he change history in any way?
The introduction of "adult contemporary" as a genre and Collins' extensive use of synthesizers are both of note, but not significant enough to support, on their own, Collins' induction.
14. Did the band uphold the standards of sportsmanship and character that the Hall of Fame, in its written guidelines, instructs us to consider?
Breaking up with his wife by fax is a negative point. Collins' consistent charitable work is a minor tick in favor, but not so substantial that it matters. However, looking at the rest in the Hall, I think this is a neutral factor.
Conclusion
Despite a powerful and substantial statistical case in favor of induction, Collins' work lacks sufficient artistic merit, as measured by the negative answers to questions 1-3 and 6-9 on the Keltner list, to warrant induction as a solo artist, though if Genesis' work is considered as well, Collins may be competitive.
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