Phil Collins on possible return to career in music
With seven number one hits in the '80s, Phil Collins became a global superstar and his music was inescapable. Collins sold about 150 million albums, making him one of the top-selling artists of all time.
Since abruptly announcing his retirement five years ago, Collins wrestled with depression, divorce and a neck injury that prevents him from playing the drums. But Collins is now releasing his solo albums with additional tracks and updated cover photos. It's a small step back into music for the singer who hasn't released an album of new material since 2002, reports CBS News correspondent Anthony Mason.
"Well, I haven't been (writing songs) because I'm trying to avoid being me, frankly. That's why I retired. I was just fed up with it," Collins said. "I can't describe it. I just... fell out of love with music a bit... and I started to feel that music was the enemy."
After Collins ruled the airwaves in the '80s - as a solo artist and with the band Genesis - he suffered a backlash, becoming, as Rolling Stone called him, "one of the most unfairly and inexplicably vilified men in rock 'n' roll.'"
"Did you ever ask yourself why you became a punching bag?" Mason asked.
"Well, you wonder (why), yeah. But it does gain a momentum and have a life of its own," Collins said. "Why do I read it? Because somebody tells me its there. I don't go looking for it."
Collins seemed to take the blame for all the musical excesses of the '80s - for flying the Concorde across the Atlantic to play both legs of Live Aid in 1985 and for a much-maligned performance there with Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones.
"I was part of the Led Zeppelin that wasn't quite so good as it might have been. And I've been blamed for that ever since, and it wasn't my fault," Collins said. "Robert was not ready to be - he wasn't a match fit. And to sing that stuff, the old stuff, you really gotta wear your voice in, and Jimmy was dribbling.... You know, coming out of the mouth. He was in another place, put it that way."
But as contemporary artists - like Adele and Pharrell - have paid him respect, Collins has emerged from the shadows. He's also back with his family - his wife, Oriane, and his two youngest sons, 14-year-old Nicholas and 11-year-old Matthew.
"Well, you know, we realized we made a mistake," Collins said. "Matthew said the other day on his birthday, he just wished that it would happen. I was very moved... It's simple, we missed each other."
And his children have helped Collins reconsider his career in music.
"The kids Google me on YouTube and watch some of the clips. And I think that's good, yeah," Collins said. "I look over their shoulder, and I - 'That was great fun, that tour,' you know."
The singer said that he could "feel" fans want him back and hinted they may be able to see him play again sometime in the near future.
"Yes, damn, I said it," Collins said. "Yes, you might."
In fact, he will perform at a benefit concert for his children's charity in March -- his first since 2010.