Genesis "Invisible Touch"

When your girlfriend tells you that one of your friends made her feel uncomfortable at a concert the previous night, what do you do? This likely was my very first #MeToo moment, and I didn't know what to do or who to believe. My friend, "Russell", was one of the first friends who stood up for me in high school. While we weren't best of friends after college, we still kept in touch and would talk each year on MLB's Opening Day. Sometime in 2009, however, things got weird: his marriage was in a free fall. He moved out of his condo and back into his parent's house. That summer, he reached out to see if he could crash on my couch for a few days. Without hesitating, I offered the tiny condo my then-girlfriend and I shared. I was helping a friend in need...or so I thought. He arrived one afternoon carrying a suitcase and a giant trunk. Yes, a trunk...like the ones you'd see in cartoons. Without me saying a word, he immediately went on the defensive: "Don't worry, I'm not moving in. I know you're thinking it!" After expressing with words what my face clearly did not quite convey, we seemed to have an understanding.

Later, I learned Russell wasn't staying with us because he needed a break from his parent's couch. Instead he simply needed a place to sleep off his Lollapalooza high. Yes, in between seeing bands at Lolla, his vacation plans included drinking, smoking pot and breaking my toilet seat (that actually happened). This didn't sit well with me or my girlfriend (pun intended). After one day into his visit, my girlfriend wanted him out so I asked him to leave. At the time, he said he was trying to save his marriage and put his life back on track -- in reality, he was a mess. He was living like an irresponsible 19 year-old while he was 31 with a wife, mortgage and nonsecular job. His words said he was trying to right the wrongs, his actions disagreed. Our friendship changed following that fateful week and never rebounded.

That summer, my girlfriend said Russell would always text her to ask if she wanted to meet up for a drink. He sent the same texts to me -- only he seemed to target her whenever he knew I was working a weekend shift at the radio station. She saw his behavior as him flirting and/or trying to cozy up while I was not around. From my perspective, I saw a mess of a friend who wanted a drinking partner. My suspicion elevated a bit when I learned he was sleeping with another mutual friend. Things went from bad to worse when my girlfriend and Russell bumped into one another at a concert where she later claimed he touched her shoulders and made her feel uncomfortable. While I constantly reminded myself Russell was a friend in need who happened to be using up all the goodwill from his friends, I hit the eject button and wrote him off . I never heard from him on Opening Day 2010 and beyond.

The same day in 2011 when I kicked my then-girlfriend out of my condo (after I found her inappropriately texting a married man at a company she was interviewing), Russell broke the silence. He wrote me a short but emotional plea begging forgiveness for being a "recovering asshole" but added that he never said or did anything inappropriate to my now-ex. Faced with my own world falling down, I started numerous replies to his email -- but each reply ended up in my deleted folder. Weeks turned to months to years and we still have never spoken. While this story's "ending" doesn't quite fall under the "happy" category, I do know from mutual friends that he's officially divorced and now married to someone new. I'm also pleased to hear he worked tirelessly to turn his life around. 

Peter Gabriel "Sledgehammer"

A remarkable feat in music history occurred on this date (July 26th) in 1986 when the former lead singer of a band nudged his former band's song out of the #1 spot on the Hot 100. Throughout the '70s, Peter Gabriel fronted Genesis before exiting the band thus leaving drummer Phil Collins to fill the void. While Collins juggled a solo career while continuing to perform with Genesis, the band's popularity soared. That July 1986 week saw Genesis' "Invisible Touch" fall out of the #1 spot thanks to Gabriel's "Sledgehammer". Many can and rightfully should credit MTV for helping make the song a hit as the video featured animation never before seen in a music video. The Hit Parade Podcast expertly tackles this unlikely story.

Frida "Something's Going On"

One listen to Frida's "Something's Going On" and you can hear the influence of Phil Collins. While juggling his solo career and lead singer duties for Genesis, former ABBA member Anni-Frid Lyngstad ("Frida") somehow convinced Collins to add something else to his already busy schedule: produce her solo album. "Something's Going On" was the album's one hit and it features Collins' signature gated drum reverb sound. Aside from the sonic similarities, Collins and Frida both commiserated over their respective painful divorces at the time.

Phil Collins "In the Air Tonight"

While out boating with friends, Phil Collins watched helplessly as one of the friends fell off their boat and into the angry waters of the night. Since Phil couldn't swim, he called upon a man standing on a nearby dock for help. Instead of helping, the man did nothing. They all watched as this man drowned. Years later, Phil released his first solo hit "In the Air Tonight" which details that fateful evening. In the front row of the crowd during one of Phil's concerts is the man from the dock who stood by while Phil's friend drowned. Phil invited that man to the show in order to out him. After performing the song, Phil announced to the crowd what the man had done (and not done). This story is a long-running myth and is 100% false. The only truth in the above paragraph is simply that "In the Air Tonight" was Phil's first solo hit. I remember first hearing the story from my mom's boyfriend in 1993. Nearly a week ago, my friend John sent me a text telling me how he just shared the story behind "In the Air Tonight" with a group of fellow boaters and how freaked out they were. Imagine how they're gonna feel when someone informs them that the story isn't true. Well then what is the haunting tune actually about? Collins said the song roughly details his feelings while going through a divorce with his first wife.

Phil Collins "I Missed Again"

Think of the artists whose music made a lasting impact on your life. Your list likely is quite long and has deep memories rooted within each song or artist. For me, I would include the Doobie Brothers, Radiohead, Ray LaMontagne, Stevie Wonder, and Phil Collins. In the case of Collins', his music was EVERYWHERE during my lifetime. In 2003, I had the opportunity to see and meet Phil when he toured in Chicago...but I missed it. While working as a radio morning show producer, I had two weeks of vacation that year and one of those weeks happened to coincide with Phil's tour. When news of his Not Dead Yet Tour broke in 2017, my colleague Lisa and I sprung into action once he announced a Chicago date. It's taken 15 years, but today I am finally going to see Phil. His Not Dead Yet, Live! tour pulls into Chicago's United Center tonight.

Genesis "Never A Time"

Reunited with his old pals from Genesis, Phil Collins dusted himself off after a four-year hiatus and immediately went to work writing new material for the band's 1991 release, We Can't Dance. The group's efforts paid off handsomely as the album went on to sell over four million copies and featured five hit singles on the radio--including the Adult Contemporary favorite "Never A Time". The once again question is whether or not Collins can rebound from multiple surgeries, failed marriages and substance abuse issues? We will soon find out as Collins signed on for his Not Dead Yet Tour which will roll through Chicago in October. It's his first tour of the US in 12 years and will feature his son on the drums.

Phil Collins "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven"

Originally written for the final scene of the dark comedy War of the Roses, the song "Something Happened on the Way to Heaven" was nixed by the movie's actor/director Danny DeVito. Instead, the song appeared on Phil Collins ...But Seriously album.

Phil Collins "Don't Lose My Number"

2017 version of Phil Collins' "Don't Lose My Number" -- "Who dis?"

Genesis "Tonight Tonight Tonight"

If Phil Collins' "In The Air Tonight" had a baby with Genesis' "Tonight Tonight Tonight", it would be called "In The Air Tonight Tonight Tonight".

Genesis "Throwing It All Away"

On a hot, parched summer afternoon, you pour yourself a glass of delicious iced tea.  You gulp it down and let out an "ahhhhh".  Perhaps that was Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford's inspiration for lyrics to "Throwing It All Away".

"Throwing it all away.....ahhhhhh....throwing it all away........ahhhhh....ooh ooh ooh oooh....ahhhhhh...."   

Phil Collins - "You'll Be in My Heart"

19  That was the number of non-consecutive weeks Phil Collins' "You'll Be in My Heart" spent in the #1 position on the Adult Contemporary Chart between 1999 and 2000.  The song also marked the first time Phil made it back onto the Top 40 Chart (peaking at #21) since 1994's "Everyday".

Genesis - "In Too Deep"

Rumors about Phil Collins exiting retirement came to light in early 2016.  By October 2016, Phil confirmed a nine date European tour for 2017.  In an article with Rolling Stone, I learned the following:

• Phil's son, Nicholas, will play drums on the tour
• Nicholas is still 15 years old
• His tour will focus mainly on Phil's solo efforts with maybe a Genesis tune or two thrown in
• Recent back and feet surgeries to Phil have taken their toll as he now walks with a cane

Todd Rundgren - "I Saw The Light"

A few weeks ago, Growing Up Adult Contemporary passed the 700 post mark.  In all of those posts of Adult Contemporary gems, there had never been a song from anyone named Todd (despite the fact someone named Todd authors this blog).  Today, we break that streak.  For quite a while, I mistook Todd Rundgren's "I Saw The Light" as a Genesis song--not because of Rundgren's voice, but because the melody sounded very late-70s/early-80s Genesis-ish.  From one Todd to another, my apologies.

Genesis - "Taking It All Too Hard"

You could very well combine parts of Phil Collins' "Taking It All Too Hard", "In Too Deep", "Misunderstanding", and "Do You Remember"...and no one would know the difference.

Genesis - "Man on the Corner"

Phil Collins first touched on homelessness with Genesis' "Man on the Corner".  He would later revisit the subject with "Another Day in Paradise".

Genesis - "No Son of Mine"

The first twenty-two seconds of "No Son of Mine" scares the crap out of me.  It's one part creepy and one part ominous.  I envision a snarling dog ready to attack just before Phil Collins' soothing vocals enter the song.  Please, angry dog, I'm just the paperboy trying to do his job...

Genesis - "In Too Deep"

Aside from knowing the difference between they're and their, a person can score (and lose) some valuable points for knowing how to use to, too, and two in a sentence.   

Genesis - "Hold on My Heart"

What was the last Top 20 hit for Genesis? 

 "Hold on My Heart"  

The sleepy ballad came from the band's successful We Can't Dance reunion album and reached #1 on the Adult Contemporary charts.  The song later made its way onto Smooth Jazz radio stations when AC radio evolved from playing Genesis and Phil Collins music in favor of groups like Train and Maroon 5.

Mike + The Mechanics - "Silent Running"

Mike + The Mechanics consisted of former Genesis alum Mike Rutherford along with Paul Carrack on vocals.  As we learned from an earlier post, Paul found fame singing with numerous '70s & '80s outfits including Ace, Soft Cell, Roxy Music, as well as Mike + The Mechanics.  "Silent Running" was Mike + The Mechanics first big hit in 1985.  The song used to creep me out then and it still does so today.