Welcome!

beeb_ says, "Phil will be with us in a few minutes but while you wait start
sending your questions through .. remember to type /ask before the quetion."

beeb_ says, "Welcome to beeb chat live backstage at Top of the Pops..."

beeb_ says, "Today's guest is Phil Collins ..."

beeb_ says, "He'll be here in a few minutes (he's just finishing rehearsing
for the show) ..."

beeb_ says, "You can put your questions through to Phil Collins RIGHT NOW
... remember to type
/ask before the question."

beeb_ says, "Phil is here to record his new single (a cover of the Cyndi
Lauper classic, True
Colours) which is released next week."

beeb_ says, "We've just sent someone down the corridor to fetch Phil
Collins to chat to you ... so stand by..."

beeb_ says, "Phil Collins will be ready to chat very soon ... keep those
questions coming through."

beeb_ says, "Phil Collins has arrived!"

beeb_ says, "He's ready to chat. Here's the first question..."

beeb presents the speaker with question #27 from Lizzie:
I watched your Live TV show from New York which i thought was excellent!
And i love your new
single 'True colours' I loved Cindy Lauper's version and yours is even
better!! What made you
decide to cover that song?

Phil Collins says, "Well it's been a long time favourite song of mine and I
was looking for a female song to covber"

Phil Collins says, "for the Hits album"

beeb presents the speaker with question #56 from Kerry Gordon:
Any plans on a "Hits" Volume 2 cd? Any more acting gigs coming up! Loved
you in Buster, Frauds,
And The Band Played On!

Phil Collins says, "Thankyou for the acting flattery..."

Phil Collins says, "As for Volume 2...this Volume 1 has taken about 18
years to get enough songs
for so if I'm still around in 20 years time there'll be another one."

Phil Collins says, "What i'd like to do one day is to release an album of
songs that should have been hits...my favourite songs."

beeb presents the speaker with question #58 from Bon:
Of all of his recordings, which one is Phil's personal favorite or means
the most to him, and whom or what inspired it ?

Phil Collins says, "My favourite song is 'I've forgotten Everything' which
was on Both Sides...the rest is confidential!"

beeb presents the speaker with question #81 from Craig Lennox:
Do you remember your first Top of the Pops appearance - How does it compare
to todays
appearance ?

Phil Collins says, "I guess my first would have been In The Air
Tonight...in 1980..."

Phil Collins says, "The big difference is that In The Air Tonight was 36
and we don't know about
True Colours yet!"

Phil Collins says, "I remember it very well actually...Dave Lee Travis was
the disc jockey and he
 said it wwas going to be a hit and next week it was No.3"

beeb presents the speaker with question #140 from Trevor:
do you ever regret going solo?

Phil Collins says, "If you mean leaving Genesis then no I don't regret
it...though I love Tony and Mike dearly ...one has to move on."

Phil Collins says, "If you want to do more in your life you also have to
remember that I had a solo career for 13 years with Genesis."

beeb presents the speaker with question #37 from Bill M Greene:
Rumors have been flying for months that Genesis will do a short reunion
tour with you, Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett. To set the record straight,
will this happen?

Phil Collins says, "This is a rumour that I've started..."

Phil Collins says, "I actually said that if with the release of the box
set, somebody suggested a
 reunion tour, a short one, I would be ready willing and able to get behind
the drums and play...it would be great fun!"

Phil Collins says, "We all had dinner in July just for fun and I did bring
the subject up but Peter is working on a new record and Tony and Mike have
the Genesis future to think of so...?"

beeb presents the speaker with question #38 from Sue Town:

Question for Mr Phil COLLINS.......from the Australian fan club..... with
the release of your new single and also HITS album, can we look forward to
a world tour - which hopefully will include Australia this time?

Phil Collins says, "Hello Sue!"

Phil Collins says, "No there is no tour planned to coincide with this
album...if and when I write enough songs for another studio album then
possibly there may be a tour...but I suggest no one holds their breath!"


beeb presents the speaker with question #150 from Ilya:
What contemporary music/movies do you enjoy?

Phil Collins says, "Well I just saw City of Angels which was fantastic..."

Phil Collins says, "Are The Police a new group?"

Phil Collins says, "I heard a little bit of Babybird and I liked that."


beeb presents the speaker with question #153 from Paul:
Have you got any plans to move back to the UK?

Phil Collins says, "No... I don't have any plans...but this should not be
construed as a desertion."

Phil Collins says, "I moved to where my lady lived...simple as that."

Phil Collins says, "I do miss odd things about England...the ploughmans for
example."

beeb presents the speaker with question #176 from Buglet:
Do you miss those little things now that you're so far away from home? You
know, like opening the Loxwood fete.

Phil Collins says, "I remember opening the Loxwood fete many times."

Phil Collins says, "and one doesn't forget those things, that's important
for you to remember."

beeb presents the speaker with question #175 from Bon:
After twenty years, where do u continue to find your energy and passion for
music ?

Phil Collins says, "Still trying to get it better..."

Phil Collins says, "Working on the new Disney film Tarzan has been like
starting again enthusiasm wise and same with The Big Band so there's lots
more to do which is why I keep going."

beeb presents the speaker with question #46 from NASSIM:
Rumours say, that Phil will sing the songs for the upcoming Disney
Tarzan-Movie in different languages (english, german, french, etc.). Is
this true ???

Phil Collins says, "Yes..."

Phil Collins says, "I have recorded those three languages and I'm going to
have a crack at another few because I'm singing in the film and Disney
films go to 35 countries and they'll have to find someone who sounds like
me so I'd rather do it if I can...but not 35!"

beeb presents the speaker with question #32 from Veronique:
Are you planning another tour with your fabulous BIG BAND soon....and if
its yes, its could be a possibility to include the Festival international
de jazz of Montreal?

Phil Collins says, "Yeh..."

Phil Collins says, "At one point we were booked for Montreal but it got
cancelled for some reason..."

Phil Collins says, "It is my intention to take the band out every couple of
years...maybe more regularly. There will be a live album I hope in the
Spring of next year."

beeb_ says, "FIVE minutes left to go with Phil"

beeb presents the speaker with question #193 from rdevries:
Have you visited any of the websites devoted to you?

Phil Collins says, "I don't have a computer...I'm saving up!"

beeb presents the speaker with question #205 from Jason Wakeling:
Who was the last musician you went to see live?

Phil Collins says, "Well it was Joe Zawinul and his band when we played in
Holland with the Big Band."

Phil Collins says, "I also caught up with Philip Bailey that same night
with EWF."

beeb presents the speaker with question #36 from llana:
I'm a brazilian fan, and since you're so versatile as an artist, I'd like
to know which activity do you really prefer: composing, singing or playing
instruments?

Phil Collins says, "My favourite would have to be the drums that's where I
live...all the others I visit..."

Phil Collins says, "but I believe that all the opportunities available to
me and to any one else should be explored so that you keep stretching
yourself artistically!"

beeb_ says, "That's all I'm afraid, here's a final word from Phil ..."

Phil Collins says, "Apologies that I have to go now ...it never ceases to
surprise me just how many friends I have around the world...that can
operate computers!"

Phil Collins says, "Goodbye for now!"

Phil Collins says, "Lots of love Phil."

beeb_ says, "Thanks for joining us for today's live webchat with pop legend
Phil Collins. We hope you enjoyed the chat as much as we did. Because we
had so many users on-line, we are sorry that we were unable to answer all
your questions."

beeb_ says, "If you enjoyed today's chat, don't forget to join us again
next Thursday backstage at Top of the Pops for another live webchat."

beeb_ says, "That's all for now."

beeb_ says, "If you missed any of the chat, a transcript will be available
at www.chat.beeb.com in about half an hour."