I get very critical when I hear musicians referred to as legends. Most media outlets seem to love this buzzword, using it to refer to all the hottest acts, but in my mind becoming a legend takes time. It takes a consistent body of work. Most people never get there, regardless of how many songs or albums they release. We have very few musical legends left, but Phil Collins is undoubtedly one of them.

His musical legacy speaks for itself. There’s the impressive body of work with Genesis, a solo career that if anything surpassed that. There’s been number ones, Grammys, American Music Awards, Brit Awards, even an Oscar and some Golden Globes. It’s no coincidence that at 67 he can still sell out our largest music venues.

I’ve seen several artists who start showing their age. Physically, Phil is among them. His dodgy hip and back mean he spends most of his show seated. But where it counts, vocally, age hasn’t touched his performance. His voice rang out clear as a bell, sounding just as strong as it ever did on the recordings.

That voice delivered a set list that might end up being the best I hear all year. I leaned over to my mum after he started with “Against All Odds” and said “Well there’s my favourite. Where does he go from here?” But of course, Phil has so much in his arsenal that he can keep you entertained even when he’s already delivered the song you wanted to hear most. “Another Day in Paradise” came next, “I Missed Again” … hit after hit. He doesn’t need to keep any up his sleeve for the back end of the show because he’s written so many stellar songs. I remembered just how much I love tracks like “Invisible Touch,” “Something Happened on the Way to Hear,” “Easy Lover,” and “Chances Are.” The atmosphere for “In the Air Tonight” was electric. Phil might not be pounding the drum kit any more, but his son Nic was a worthy replacement.

The whole band really deserves a special mention. Many of these musicians have been with Phil for 40 to 50 years. They knew this music intimately, creating one of the tightest sounds I’ve ever heard. While Phil couldn’t get up and dance they filled that gap too, making the show feel like a real party from start to finish.

When Phil and band said their goodbyes I didn’t expect an encore. I’d heard everything I expected to and then some. It also seemed like an awful lot of effort for Phil to hobble off with his cane only to return again. However, he maintained the rock and roll charade, returning for one more song, “Take Me Home.” So stirring, the perfect closer for a real celebration of music.

Phil Collins was one of those bucket list artists for me, someone I knew I’d see if I ever had the chance but wasn’t sure I would. At one point the world thought he’d never tour again after all. When you anticipate seeing someone for so long, it can be difficult for the artist to meet your expectations. But Phil did and more. I feel so privileged to have spent time with one of the world’s true musical legends.

Phil Collins plays Perth’s RAC Arena tonight before heading to Melbourne’s AAMI Park on February 1 and 2.

Image source: Stephen Katulka