When Phil Collins launched his Not Dead Yet Tour, it marked an emotional return to the stage for the legendary musician. However, the tour came with significant challenges. Due to ongoing nerve problems in his hand, Phil was no longer able to play the drums the way fans had known him for decades.
Fortunately, he had the perfect person to step in and help — his son, Nic Collins.
From 2016 to 2019, Nic joined his father on tour as the band’s drummer, taking over the role that Phil himself had made iconic throughout his career with both Genesis and as a solo artist. But during one memorable stop in Houston, the father-son duo surprised fans with something entirely different.
Instead of sitting behind the drum kit, Nic took a seat at the piano.
Before the performance began, Phil told the audience that he had introduced Nic to his extensive music catalog and asked which songs stood out to him. Nic had apparently found one particular favorite.
Displaying the pair’s shared sense of humor, Phil joked, “Just one,” prompting Nic to laugh and reply, “Two songs… mainly just one.”
That song was You Know What I Mean, a gentle and reflective track from Phil Collins’ 1981 debut solo album Face Value.
What followed was one of the tour’s most touching moments. With Phil delivering the vocals and Nic accompanying him on piano, the pair shared a beautiful father-son performance that resonated deeply with the audience.
Fans who watched the video online were quick to express their admiration, not only for the heartfelt performance but also for Phil’s determination to continue performing despite his health struggles. The clip eventually attracted more than 2.7 million views, with countless viewers commenting on the special bond shared between father and son.
One fan wrote, “Wonderful to see father and son together that way.”
Others were equally impressed by Nic’s own musical abilities, with one viewer noting, “Nic Collins inherited Phil’s musical talent.”
Of course, Nic’s talents extended far beyond the piano.
Throughout the Not Dead Yet Tour, he regularly showcased his skills behind the drum kit — the role he was originally hired to fill. During the same Houston concert, Nic thrilled the crowd with a drum duet alongside percussionist Richie Garcia while Phil watched proudly from the side of the stage.
The performance eventually evolved into a drum trio as Phil joined Nic and Garcia on stage to play the cajón, creating another unforgettable moment for fans in attendance.
Nic’s musical journey did not end when the tour wrapped up in 2019.
He later returned to the drums for Genesis during the band’s reunion tour from 2020 to 2022, once again supporting his father on stage. He also joined Mike Rutherford — Phil’s longtime Genesis bandmate — as a touring drummer for Mike + The Mechanics.
In addition to carrying on his family’s musical legacy, Nic has continued to carve out his own path in the industry through his band, Better Strangers, which made its debut in 2022.
Whether performing alongside his father or building his own career, Nic Collins has already proven himself to be a gifted musician with a bright future ahead.
For fans of Phil Collins, seeing the legendary performer share the stage with his son offered something far more meaningful than nostalgia — it was a rare and beautiful glimpse of music, family, and legacy coming together in perfect harmony.