Began playing the drums on a kit handmade by his uncle

Made film debut in The Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night" as one of hundreds of screaming teenagers during the concert sequence

First record deal came as drummer for Flaming Youth; they released a single album, Ark 2 (1969)

Joined the British art rock band Genesis; first as a drummer and later taking on lead singing duties in its post-Peter Gabriel pop-rock incarnation

Became lead vocalist for Genesis after auditions of hundreds of singers failed to yield a successor to the departed Peter Gabriel

Released first solo album Face Value; also that same year released Abacab Genesis' eleventh studio album

Composed the title track for the film "Against All Odds"; received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song

Released his top ten single-packed third solo album, No Jacket Required

Appeared in an episode of NBC's "Miami Vice," entitled "Phil the Shill"

Invited to perform at Bob Geldof's charity concert, Live Aid; appeared at both Wembley Stadium in England and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia

Performed (with Marilyn Martin) the Academy Award nominated song "Separate Lives" for the "White Nights" soundtrack

First film role since becoming a musician, playing the title role in "Buster"; released rendition of "Groovy Kind of Love" and the Academy Award nominated "Two Hearts"

Played Uncle Ernie in a 20th anniversary performance of The Who's rock opera "Tommy" (aired on FOX)

Featured in the CBS variety special, "Seriously...Phil Collins"

Released final studio album with Genesis, We Can't Dance

Appeared in Steven Spielberg's "Hook"

Played the sleazy owner of a San Francisco bathhouse in the AIDS-themed drama "And the Band Played On" (HBO)

Featured in the Australian-produced comedy/mystery "Frauds"

Voiced two polar bears in the animated adventure "Balto"

Appeared as himself on an episode of FOX's "New York Undercover"

Toured with the Phil Collins Big Band as drummer; the band performed jazz renditions of Collins’ and Genesis's hits

Performed the soundtrack to the animated film "Tarzan"; won first Oscar for the hit single "You'll Be in My Heart"

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (June 16)

Reunited with Gabriel and other Genesis members to re-record "The Carpet Crawlers" for Genesis's Turn It On Again: The Hits

Lent his voice to the animated feature "The Jungle Book 2"

Performed several songs on Disney's "Brother Bear" soundtrack

Contributed 11 new songs and instrumental pieces, when Disney's "Tarzan" was adapted for Broadway

Appeared as himself in the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 2 video game "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories"

Re-united with Genesis for "Turn It On Again: The Tour" with the Collins/Rutherford/Banks lineup