Phil feels fine for ‘First Final Farewell’

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Aug. 27, 2004 | 8:57 a.m.

Phil Collins might retire from the road sometime soon. Then again, he might not.

The ex-Genesis frontman has given his latest outing the tongue-in-cheek moniker "First Final Farewell Tour," poking fun of headliners such as Cher and Kiss who continue performing after insisting they are finished.

Collins recently concluded a 26-date swing through Europe -- his first tour of that continent in more than seven years -- and kicked off a series of 25 North American shows Thursday in Anaheim, Calif.

The 53-year-old British drummer/vocalist touches down in Las Vegas for U.S. stop No. 2 at 8 p.m. Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Despite Collins' infrequent live schedule, his concerts have met with a mixed reaction in the States. A sell-out of New York City's Madison Square Garden promoted the addition of a second date at the venue, while a scheduled Pittsburgh show was canceled, reportedly due to slow ticket sales.

At press time, tickets were still on sale in all three price ranges for the MGM show ($131.25, $94.50, $78.75), though only single seats remained available on the floor.

With no new album to promote, Collins' European sets were heavy on hits, featuring such favorites as "Don't Lose My Number," "One More Night," "Another Day in Paradise" and "In the Air Tonight."

Collins did not perform Genesis material on his European dates.

On Sept. 27, Collins will release "Love Songs," a two-disc set collecting his ballads.

Who: Phil Collins.

Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena.

When: 8 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets: $78.75-$131.25.

Call: 891-7777.

Opening act: None.

The band: Phil Collins (vocals, drums), Ronnie Caryl (rhythm guitar), Brad Cole (keyboard), Luis Conte (percussion), Leland Sklar (bass), Daryl Stuermer (guitar), Chester Thompson (drums).

Additional musicians: Gerald Albright (saxophone), Bill Cantos (vocals), Lynne Fiddmont (vocals), Dan Fornero (trombone), Connie Jackson (vocals), Amy Keys (vocals), Harry Kim (trumpet), Arnold McCuller (vocals), Lamont Van Hook (vocals), Arturo Velasco (trombone).

Latest release: "Testify" (2002, Atlantic).

Essential release: "No Jacket Required" (1985).

What to expect: Virtually every significant Collins single, from early hits "I Missed Again" and "You Can't Hurry Love" to 2002 adult contemporary chart-topper "Can't Stop Loving You." According to tour reports, Collins will split time between his drum set and the front of the stage.

Recent set list: Geneva Arena, Geneva, Switzerland, July 6: Drum intro, "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven," "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)," "Don't Lose My Number," "You'll Be in My Heart," "Can't Stop Loving You," "Hang in Long Enough," "True Colors," "Come With Me," "A Groovy Kind of Love," "I Missed Again," "Another Day in Paradise," "No Way Out," "Separate Lives," "In the Air Tonight," "Easy Lover," "You Can't Hurry Love," "Two Hearts," "Dance Into the Light," "Wear My Hat," "Sussudio." Encore: "It's Not Too Late," "Take Me Home." (from fan site www.genesis-movement.org).

Says Collins: "If they set a rehearsal date, I'll show up," on a possible reunion with early Genesis mates Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford. (Mojo Magazine, December, 2002)