By Beatriz Miranda, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – English musician Phil Collins will be performing at the Maracanã Stadium, in Maracanã, this Thursday, February 22nd, at 9PM. After six years away from the stages, Collins debuts in Brazil as a solo artist with the “Not Dead Yet” tour.
Even though this is the first time Collins performs solo in Brazil, the artist has already played for the Brazilian audience in 1977, as the drummer of English progressive rock band Genesis. Two of Genesis’ most famous hits, “Follow You Follow Me” and “Invisible Touch”, will probably be part of tonight’s set list.
Collins’ debuted as a solo artist in 1981, with the release of “Face Value”, album that became famous for the single “In The Air Tonight”. With over a 100 million albums sold, Collins’ career skyrocketed after the composition of “You’ll be my heart”, soundtrack of Disney movie “Tarzan”, awarded both by the 2000 Oscar and the Golden Globe for “Best Original Song”.
What’s more, some of Collins’ greatest singles, like “Easy Lover”, “You Can’t Hurry Love” and “Against All Odds” (Take A Look At Me Now) reached number one on the British billboards. In America, Collins has hit the top spot on the billboards seven consecutive times.
Fan of Brazilian composer Milton Nascimento, the musician goes up on the stage along with Nic Collins, his 16 year-old son who plays drums. Among the songs included in the set list are “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)”, “Another Day in Paradise”, “One More Night”, “Wake Up Call”, “Follow You Follow Me” (do Genesis), “Can’t Turn Back the Years”, “I Missed Again” and “Hang in Long Enough”.
Opening Collins’ show will be The Pretenders, English-American rock band led by vocalist Chrissie Hynde. The group is expected to play its 1980s New Wave hits and its 1990s singles, like “Back On The Chain Gang”, ”Don’t Get Me Wrong” and “I’ll Stand By You”.
After Rio de Janeiro, the “Not Dead Yet” tour goes to the cities of São Paulo and Porto Alegre. In March, Collins performs in Mexico, Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina and Puerto Rico.
What: Phil Collins – “Not Dead Yet” Tour
When: Tonight, February 22nd – 9PM
Where: Maracanã Stadium – Avenida Presidente Castelo Branco, Portão 3 – Maracanã
Entrance: R$135 – R$750