Thinking about 'indescribable' career of Phil Collins

There may not be a word in the English language to fully describe Phil Collins' career.His popularity, both as the front man and drummer for Genesis, and then as a solo artist, allowed his voice to dominate pop music for much of the 1980s.As a child growing up in the Cleveland area, my first exposure to music came from the station Lite Rock 106 ½. It just as easily could have been called "The Madonna and Phil Collins station."At that time, Collins was on a roll. He produced hit after hit after hit, with no end in sight.His 1985 solo album "No Jacket Required" was one of the first compact discs my family owned. The record yielded four singles, and all were smashes: "Sussudio," "One More Night," "Don't Lose My Number" and "Take Me Home."The album sold more than 25 million worldwide.At the time, I knew Collins as a pop star and a great drummer. But his career was so much more than that.In 1970, Collins joined Genesis as the drummer. The band — which included vocalist Peter Gabriel, guitarists Mike Rutherford and Steve Hacket and keyboardist Tony Banks — was nothing like the pop band It turned into years later.Genesis started as an art rock band, theatrical and progressive. Listening to songs from that era — which rarely get played on the radio — it's hard to believe that 15 years later, Collins and Gabriel would be solo pop superstars, and Rutherford would find success with his group, Mike and the Mechanics.But it also speaks to the talent in Genesis. Gabriel left the band in 1975 for a very successful solo career. That opened the door for Collins to become Genesis' lead vocalist.And the rest, as they say, is history.By the early 80s, Genesis had morphed into a pop radio staple, and Collins' voice was everywhere.In 1981, Collins released his first solo album: "Face Value."Unlike Gabriel, Collins didn't leave Genesis. His solo work filled the airwaves at the same time his Genesis songs did.Maybe that's why it seemed like he was always on the radio.Collins has always been able to write strong melodies, but what sets him apart are often his lyrics.Often, he's not saying he loves someone. He's telling a story.Even if that story isn't true or really doesn't make sense.For years, people were telling me that "In the Air Tonight" was based on something that really happened to Collins (it isn't).My favorite solo track from Collins was "Don't Lose My Number," which features an excellent guitar solo by Daryl Stuermer and a Motownesque melody.I still have no idea what the lyrics are about; Collins has said that he doesn't either.But it hardly mattered.Collins' songs were perfect for the '80s and early 90s, and so was he.He had an easy charm and a sense of humor that came through not only in his songs, but in the music videos that frequently played on VH1.He even crossed over into acting. He starred in the 1988 film "Buster" and even had a cameo as an inspector in the Robin Williams movie "Hook."Collins also played a major role in a number of film soundtracks, including "Tarzan." He's been nominated for three Academy Awards, winning once.Like I said, there's not really a word for his career.But this week, he received another honor, as it was announced he'd be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.Collins hasn't released a single since 2010, and appears to have not been in the best of health for a while.That's too bad. I have no doubt that if he were still touring, fans would pack arenas to give him and his career the appreciation he deserves.But getting into the Rock Hall for the second time (Genesis was inducted in 2010) will have to do.Indescribable.Maybe that's the word. Zach Baker is sports editor of The Courier.