The renowned Genesis lead singer and drummer Phil Collins has enjoyed enormous success in the music business over his illustrious career.
Joining Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney as the only performers with over 100 million records sold through both solo and collaborative projects, he is one of three. Collins was exposed to music at a young age. He was born on January 30, 1951, in London, England, to parents who were artists.
The move that would define his sound came when he was five years old and received a homemade drum kit from his uncle. It included tambourines, triangles, cymbals, and miniature drums.
Key bands like The Shadows led the way as the English beat genre started to take shape. In addition to leading this movement, Collins would frequently perform at get-togethers thrown by his parents’ sailing club.
Collins was first exposed to rock and roll at the age of fourteen, when The Beatles motivated him to buy a record player and Please Please Me. He would put his drums in front of a mirror and turn up the record player’s volume so he wouldn’t have to look at what he was doing.
To learn how to read drum music, which was necessary if one wished to work in an orchestra pit or dance band, he decided to take drum lessons from a teacher. But Collins soon discovered that reading sheet music was not nearly as good as playing spontaneously.
In the 1970s, Collin’s life took an unexpected turn after he came upon an advertisement for Genesis’ drummer. Collins got in touch with them, and they were happy to have him on board, which launched his incredible musical career.
Many of the songs from The Beatles’ five albums went on to become timeless classics that we still love to this day. Due to a dearth of worthy contenders, Collins assumed the role of lead vocalist for the band quite quickly.
He took a while to get used to being a drummer as well as a voice, but he persisted and became one of the greatest musicians of our time.
As a solo artist and a member of the legendary band Genesis, Collins enjoyed enormous success in the music industry. Hits like “I Don’t Care Anymore,” “In The Air Tonight,” and “You Can’t Hurry Love” propelled him to the top of the music business.
After 25 years with Genesis, Collins made the decision to change directions in his career, concentrating on jazz ventures, movie soundtracks, and his solo endeavors. He said he hoped his old comrades would have a successful career, but when 2017 came around, he decided to go back on the road with them for their Last Domino tour.
Sadly, the pandemic forced a postponement of this tour, and shortly before it started, Phil spoke with BBC Breakfast, raising some concerns regarding his health. With Phil on vocals and Nicholas Collins on drums, the band plans to play live again despite this setback.
Nic is a fantastic drummer, but according to Tony Banks, he could add even more intensity to the already strong early Phil Collins tunes.
Speaking on his retirement from drumming, Phil remarked, “I’d like to, but I can scarcely grip a stick with this hand.” Despite the challenges that come with being physically limited, Phil has not allowed them to deter him from pursuing his love of music.
The storyteller, a man our age, spoke with a palpable sense of loss as he outlined his physical struggles. He bemoaned not being able to travel with his kid and hear about his travels.
He wasn’t sure if he wanted to carry on traveling because of his health. His remarks gave off a dejected vibe, as though he had accepted that he could no longer engage in some activities and that they were off-limits to him.
He felt pressured and faced with a difficult decision: stick on his current course or stop his travels. It dawned on him that either way, a physical constraint or a deliberate choice would force him to give up something he valued. He was troubled by this and felt as though he might miss out on a lot of opportunities in life as a result of this sudden change in his circumstances.
Teacher Found Out That Kids Were Bullying a Poor Boy about the Sweater His Grandmother Knitted for Him
A young boy’s heart shatters when cruel classmates mock the sweater his grandmother lovingly knitted for him. But one teacher’s act of kindness stitches his heart back together, proving that real heroes don’t always wear capes.
The schoolbag felt like a boulder on Dylan’s tiny shoulders as he trudged home, kicking pebbles along the cracked sidewalk. His hands were stuffed deep in his pockets, and his eyes were fixed on the ground. What burden could an 8-year-old possibly bear?
An upset young boy walking on the road | Source: Pexels
It was the new trend at school and all the kids were buzzing about wearing superhero-themed jerseys the next day. All except Dylan.
His heart sank as he thought about his grandma Mariam, or Mimi as he called her. He knew she couldn’t afford one.
A sad young boy with his eyes downcast | Source: Midjourney
As he approached their little cottage nestled at the far end of the picturesque street, he spotted Mariam in their little backyard, her wrinkled hands carefully plucking beetroots from the soil.
“Mimi, I need to talk to you,” Dylan called out, his voice tinged with frustration.
“Be there in a jiffy, sweetie!” Mariam chirped back.
An older woman with a warm smile | Source: Midjourney
Dylan stomped into the house, flinging his schoolbag. It knocked over an old framed photo of baby Dylan cradled in his parents’ arms. The glass cracked, a spider web spreading across their smiling faces.
Dylan’s heart clenched as he looked at the photo, remembering the story Mariam had told him countless times.
His parents had died in a tragic car crash when he was just one year old. Since then, Mariam had been his rock, his everything.
A broken framed photo of a couple with a baby | Source: Midjourney
She’d raised him alone, scraping by on what little she earned selling homemade cookies, fresh eggs from their backyard chickens, and her hand-knitted items around town.
It wasn’t much, but Mariam had always made sure Dylan never went without love.
She hurried in, her apron stained with dirt. “What’s wrong, my little man?”
An emotional senior woman | Source: Midjourney
Dylan looked up, tears streaming down his cheeks. “Can… can you buy me a superhero jersey, Mimi? Please? It has to be Spiderman!”
“Oh, honey,” Mariam’s voice cracked. “Let me see what I can do.”
Her heart raced as she scurried around the house, checking every nook and cranny where she might have stashed away a few dollars. Cookie jars, pillowcases, even the rusty tin behind the peeling wallpaper. All empty.
A sad, disheartened young boy | Source: Midjourney
With trembling hands, she counted the meager savings she’d scraped together. Ten dollars. It wasn’t much, but it was all she had.
“I’ll be right back, sweetie,” she called out, her voice steady despite the worry gnawing at her insides.
The bell above the door jingled as Mariam entered Smalltown Styles, the only kids’ clothing store for miles. Her eyes lit up when she spotted a lone Spiderman jersey hanging on the display.
A brass bell atop a wooden door | Source: Pexels
“How much for that one?” she asked, pointing with a shaky finger.
The shopkeeper smiled apologetically. “That’s our last one, ma’am. Sixty-five dollars.”
Mariam’s face fell. “Oh… I see. Thank you anyway.”
A Spiderman-themed jersey on display in a cloth store | Source: Midjourney
As she turned to leave, the shopkeeper called out, “Wait! We’re having a sale next week. Maybe you could—”
But Mariam was already gone, the bell’s cheerful jingle doing little to ease her heavy heart.
Back home, Mariam found Dylan curled up in bed, his small frame wracked with silent sobs. She gently shook him awake for dinner, a humble meal of porridge with boiled beetroot and eggs.
Dylan ate quietly. It seemed unusual to Mariam, but she understood.
An older woman smiling | Source: Midjourney
“Time for your bedtime prayer, sweetie,” she reminded him softly.
Dylan mumbled through the familiar words, his voice lacking its usual enthusiasm.
For the first time since he could remember, he crawled under the covers without giving Mariam a goodnight kiss.
Side shot of a distressed young boy | Source: Midjourney
As soon as she heard his breathing even out, Mariam sprang into action.
She crept into Dylan’s room and carefully removed the worn Spiderman poster peeling from the wall. Back in her room, she fired up her old knitting machine, determination etched on her face.
Through the night she worked, her arthritic fingers flying over the yarn, shaping it into a familiar red and blue pattern.
An older woman using a knitting machine | Source: Midjourney
As the first rays of sunlight peeked through the window, Mariam held up her creation—a woolen Spiderman sweater, crafted with love in every stitch.
“Dylan, honey! I’ve got a surprise for you! It’s in the dining room!” Mariam called out, her voice hoarse from lack of sleep but brimming with excitement.
Dylan shuffled into the dining room, his eyes widening as he saw the sweater laid out on the table.
A Spiderman-themed knitwear laid on a table | Source: Midjourney
For a split second, disappointment flashed across his face, but he quickly masked it with a smile.
“I love it, Mimi!” he exclaimed, throwing his arms around her waist.
As Dylan headed off to school, Mariam watched him go, her heart swelling with pride. She didn’t notice the slight droop in his shoulders or the way he tugged nervously at the sweater’s sleeves.
“Have a great day, my little superhero!” she called after him.
Dylan smiled, not knowing what awaited him.
A smiling boy sporting a Spiderman-themed sweater | Source: Midjourney
The classroom erupted into laughter the moment Dylan stepped through the door. His cheeks burned as he heard the jeers and taunts from his classmates.
“Did you find that in the trash?” one boy shouted.
“Woolen Spiderman! That’s hilarious!” a girl chimed in, her pigtails bouncing as she giggled.
“Hey, Dylan! Did your grandma mistake you for a sheep?” another boy called out, causing a fresh wave of laughter.
Kids laughing in a classroom | Source: Midjourney
A girl in the front row wrinkled her nose and said loudly, “Eww, it probably smells like mothballs and old people!”
Dylan’s vision blurred with tears. He spun on his heel and bolted from the room, nearly colliding with his teacher Mr. Pickford in the hallway.
“Dylan? What’s wrong?” Mr. Pickford called after him, but Dylan was already out of sight.
A sad boy with his eyes downcast | Source: Midjourney
Frowning, Mr. Pickford strode into the classroom where the cruel laughter continued.
“Did you see his face?” a boy snickered.
“Yeah, he looked like he was gonna cry!” another chimed in.
“Guess Spiderman can’t save him from bad fashion!” a girl added, sending the class into another fit of giggles.
Mr. Pickford’s eyes narrowed as he took in the scene.
A teacher furrowing his brows | Source: Midjourney
The laughter died instantly as the children noticed his presence. His gaze swept over their suddenly guilty faces, understanding dawning in his eyes.
He strode across the classroom, his footsteps echoing in the abrupt silence. Mr. Pickford pursed his lips, a plan already forming in his mind.
“I see,” he softly whispered to himself. “Well, class, I think it’s time for an important lesson: one that’s not in your textbooks.”
With that, the dismissal bell rang. As the students filed out, Mr. Pickford couldn’t shake the feeling that something unexpected was in store for the coming Monday.
Side view of a teacher in a classroom | Source: Midjourney
The weekend crawled by for Dylan. He dreaded Monday morning but he couldn’t bear to disappoint his grandma. So, with a heavy heart, he pulled on the Spiderman sweater and trudged to school.
As he entered the classroom, Dylan braced himself for another round of mockery. But the room was eerily quiet. Every eye was fixed on him, but not with derision. Instead, with something that looked almost like… admiration?
“Ah, there’s my superhero partner!” a familiar voice boomed from the corner.
A startled little boy | Source: Midjourney
Dylan’s jaw dropped. There stood Mr. Pickford, grinning from ear to ear, wearing an identical Spiderman sweater.
“What do you say we take a picture in our awesome sweaters?” Mr. Pickford suggested, pulling out his phone.
Tears welled up in Dylan’s eyes, but this time, they were tears of joy. As Mr. Pickford’s arm wrapped around his shoulders, Dylan felt a warmth spread through his chest.
“How… how did you know, Mr. Pickford?” he whispered.
A teacher sporting a Spiderman-themed sweater in the classroom | Source: Midjourney
Mr. Pickford winked. “Let’s just say a little birdie told me. Or should I say, a very talented grandma knitted me one last weekend!”
Dylan’s eyes widened in realization. “Mimi made yours too?”
Mr. Pickford nodded, his eyes twinkling. “She’s quite the artist, your Mimi. You’re a lucky boy, Dylan.”
A thoughtful little boy looking ahead | Source: Midjourney
As they posed for the photo, Dylan’s classmates gathered around, oohing and aahing over the matching sweaters. For the first time in days, Dylan felt his lips curve into a genuine smile.
Two days had passed since the incident, and Dylan was basking in the newfound peace in the classroom. As he rounded the corner to their cottage that afternoon, he skidded to a halt. A line of fancy cars stretched down the street, and a crowd of people milled about in their front yard.
“Mimi?” a terrified Dylan called out, pushing through the throng.
Cars parked outside a house | Source: Pexels
He found her sitting at a table, surrounded by parents waving money and placing orders.
Mariam’s eyes sparkled as she scribbled down requests for Superman sweaters, Wonder Woman cardigans, and even a few Hulk hoodies.
“Dylan!” she exclaimed when she spotted him. “Look at all these nice people who want sweaters just like yours!”
An older woman smiling warmly | Source: Midjourney
Dylan’s chest swelled with pride. He watched as his grandma’s skilled hands flew over her knitting machine, creating masterpiece after masterpiece. The cottage that had once felt so empty now buzzed with life and laughter.
As the fiery orb of the sun descended, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, Mariam packed away her yarn and needles. She turned to Dylan with a mischievous grin.
“What do you say we celebrate, my little superhero? I hear the amusement park has a new Spiderman ride!”
Dylan’s eyes lit up. “Really, Mimi? Can we go?”
A cheerful young boy | Source: Midjourney
Mariam laughed, a sound as warm and comforting as the sweater Dylan wore. “Of course we can, pumpkin. After all, every superhero needs a day off sometimes!”
As they walked hand in hand towards the twinkling lights of the fairground, Dylan looked up at his grandmother. In the fading light, he could almost see a halo around her silver hair.
“I love you, Mimi. So, so, so much!” he chirped.
Mariam gently squeezed his hand, her eyes glistening. “I love you too, sweetie. To the moon and back.”
A happy little boy looking up | Source: Midjourney
And as they stepped into the whirl of colors and laughter, Dylan realized something important: Life might get tough sometimes, but there are guardian angels watching over us. Sometimes they wear teacher’s badges, and sometimes they knit Spiderman sweaters! But they’re always there, ready to wrap us in love when we need it most.
Silhouette of a little boy walking with his grandma | Source: Midjourney
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