Mike Rutherford: Latest News

Genesis guitarist and bassist Mike Rutherford has updated fans on the state of Phil Collins’ health.Collins has experienced issues with his health since suffering a spinal injury in 2007, which damaged vertebrae in his upper neck and also left him with nerve damage. The injury has impacted his ability to perform, and at Genesis’ last ever show in March 2022, he performed in a wheelchair.Now, Rutherford has spoken about Collins’ health in an interview on BBC Breakfast to promote his upcoming tour with Mike + The Mechanics, in which Collins’ son Nic will be playing drums.Speaking about Collins’ condition, Rutherford said: “As you know, Phil is a bit… He’s much more immobile than he used to be, which is a shame, but at the tour, he was in good spirits.

Phil Collins has played his final gig.Performing at the O2 in London, 71-year-old Collins said his goodbye to fans, making jokes about now having to find a proper job.In their first tour since 2007 Collins - joined by Mike Rutherford on the guitar and bass and Tony Banks on the keyboard - enjoyed the band's final outing years on from the glory they enjoyed in the 1980s and 1990s.Touring the likes of Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle, they've had to postpone three London shows because of issues caused by Covid-19.Collins had to perform while sitting down, having appeared a little frail during his time on the tour.He's been battling health conditions for a decade, which has understandably taken its toll, leaving him reliant on a walking stick or wheelchair.Collins has had to battle more than one problem over the last 13 years - in 2009 he suffered damaged vertebrae.He is understood to have picked up the nasty injury while he was playing, leaving nerve damage in his hands.After surgery he lost his ability to grip his drumsticks, meaning the only way he could play was if they were taped to his hands.Writing on the Genesis website at the time of the injury he said: "Somehow, during the last Genesis tour, I dislocated some vertebrae in my upper neck and that affected my hands."After a successful operation on my neck, my hands still can’t function normally.“Maybe in a year or so it will change, but for now it is impossible for me to play drums or piano."After divorcing his third wife and having retired, Collins admitted he had drinking problems in his 2016 autobiography.He said at the time that he had been sober for three years.In 2017 he announced that he was a type 2 diabetic and would be receiving

"Against All Odds," Phil Collins is soldiering on. A frail-looking Collins finished his first show with Genesis on the group’s "The Last Domino?" tour in Birmingham Monday night, remaining seated throughout the concert.

Birmingham on Monday, with drummer and singer Phil Collins performing the show from a chair amid his ongoing health issues.Phil, 70, sang all of the band’s biggest hits while remaining seated after previously telling fans this would be their last chance to see him on tour with Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford.When asked whether he would perform more dates in 2022, Phil told Mojo (via NME): ‘This English and American tour, that will be enough for me.’Keyboard player Tony is quoted as saying: ‘I think it depends a little bit how it goes. How Phil stands up to it all.

Phil Collins has said that he won’t be going on any more Genesis tours after the band finishes their reunion shows, after he’s had a tough time with some health issues.The drummer will head off on tour with Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford on September 20 but, when asked about more dates in 2022, he responded to Mojo (via NME): ‘This English and American tour, that will be enough for me.’However, keyboardist Tony is quoted as saying: ‘I think it depends a little bit how it goes. How Phil stands up to it all.

Phil Collins detailed the extent to which his health has declined in recent years, noting that he can no longer physically play the drums.  The singer will hit the road with his band, Genesis, again later this month, reuniting with Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford. Although he’ll be singing on the tour, he’ll no longer play the drums.

Genesis delighted fans last year by getting the band back together, with Phil Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford announcing plans for their first tour since 2007.