Phil Collins Says He Doesn’t Feel Sorry For Himself

A recent magazine report says that Phil Collins is retiring in a story that quotes the drummer saying he doesn’t “think anyone’s going to miss me.” The musician has written a follow-up post on his official site explaining why he’s actually calling it quits.

In the latest issue of FHM Collins acknowledged his critics and even apologized for having such a prosperous career.

“I’m sorry that it was all so successful. I honestly didn’t mean it to happen like that,” Collins said, according to London’s The Daily Telegraph. “It’s hardly surprising that people grew to hate me.”

The drummer also said that he doesn’t fit in with the current music industry.

“I look at the MTV Music Awards and I think, ‘I can’t be in the same business as this.’ I don’t really belong to that world and I don’t think anyone’s going to miss me. I’m much happier just to write myself out of the script entirely.”

Photo: AP Photo / Keystone

44th Montreux Jazz Festival, Stravinski Hall, Montreux, Switzerland

In a post on PhilCollins.com titled “BREAKING NEWS – A Message From Phil” the drummer writes that recent news items have painted a picture of him “that is more than a little distorted.”

Collins confirms that he is “calling it a day” but says that it’s not because of bad reviews or bad treatment in the press. He explained that he’s not quitting because he doesn’t feel loved as he still has a very large fanbase. He also denies that he doesn’t fit in, noting that his 2010 album Going Back reached No.1 in the U.K. and has done “incredibly well worldwide.” Lastly, his retirement has nothing to do with his collection of Alamo artifacts.

“Some of the things mentioned above have been said by me in various interviews, but said as asides with a smile on my face and in passing,” Collins said. “They were not meant to be ‘headlines,’ they were small parts of a conversation. This clearly doesn’t come over in print and I should know better.

“However, the result is that I have ended up sounding like a tormented weirdo who thinks he was at the Alamo in another life, who feels very sorry for himself, and is retiring hurt because of the bad press over the years.”

Collins said he is retiring so he can be a full time father to his two young sons. The drummer wrapped up the post by thanking fans for their messages and adding that, “there’s no need for the straitjacket!”

Click here for Phil Collins’ official website.

Click here for the Telegraph story.