Phil Collins: Episode 3: The Imperial Years

About this episode

The episode explores Phil Collins' rise to global fame in the 1980s, highlighting his successes and the personal costs of his stardom.

In 1985, after a couple of massive singles and an Oscar nomination, Phil Collins stands on the precipice of global megastardom. Then comes No Jacket Required, Live Aid, a red hot hit streak with Genesis – and he’s hurled over the edge. From time zone defying Concorde operatics to soundtracking – and starring in – Miami Vice, Zoe Ball charts Phil’s imperial era. The critics might be giving him a hard time, but in stadiums all over the world legions of fans sing every word to his constantly expanding stable of mega hits. But as the demands on his time and attention multiply… it’s only a matter of time before there’s a personal cost to so much success. A Cup and Nuzzle Production for BBC Sounds Series Producer: Frank Palmer

People in this episode

Host: Zoe Ball

Topics covered

• Phil Collins
• music history
• global megastardom
• 1980s music
• personal cost of success
• Live Aid
• Genesis

Keywords

• Phil Collins
• Genesis
• Live Aid
• No Jacket Required
• Miami Vice
• 1980s music
• global megastardom
• music history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Genesis, BBC Sounds

Books & works: No Jacket Required, Miami Vice

More episodes of Eras

• Phil Collins: Episode 5: The Man Himself · January 26, 2026 · 29 min
• Phil Collins: Episode 4: Against All Odds · January 19, 2026 · 29 min
• Phil Collins: Episode 2: Can You Feel It? · January 19, 2026 · 29 min
• Phil Collins: Episode 1: In the Beginning… · January 19, 2026 · 29 min
• Queen: 5. Interview with Queen icons Brian May & Roger Taylor · October 27, 2025 · 30 min
• Queen: 4. The Reign Continues · October 13, 2025 · 27 min