Phil Collins came out of retirement to sing some old hits with a middle school band
YouTube


Stars of the 1980s are un-retiring in the strangest ways. Earlier this week, Journey frontman Steve Perry gave his first public performance in almost 20 years during the encore of an Eels show. Phil Collins topped that, taking the stage with a group of middle schoolers at Florida's private Miami Country Day School. In the performance last week, Collins and his teenage backup band sang "In the Air Tonight" and "Land of Confusion." It was Collins' first public show since 2010.
As Collins says below, he's been to the school a few times — at least one of his two grade-school sons attends Miami Day. And there's a slightly awkward moment when the master of ceremonies brings onstage a local man who transcribes songs for the school band — probably without paying royalties — and has him and Collins sign transcriptions of Collins' "Land of Confusion." But Collins is a good sport, and in good form. Suffice it to say, nothing like this ever happened at my middle school. --Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
How the woke right gained power in the US
Under the radar The term has grown in prominence since Donald Trump returned to the White House
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK
-
Codeword: April 24, 2025
The Week's daily codeword puzzle
By The Week Staff
-
Crossword: April 24, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans