How to See a Point Where the Path of Your Life Changed

Is there a one-word phrase that means the opposite of bravado? I can’t think of one, but whatever it is, Phil Collins is loaded with it. It’s strange to look back and remember that he was a hit solo artist, lead singer of a hit band, a legendary drummer, producer of several hit albums for other artists, a guest star on popular TV shows, and eventually starred in a movie, all while carrying off his “What, me? I’m just an ordinary balding man in a slightly oversized suit” vibe. That’s a tough trick to pull off. You have to respect it.

I really did want to grow up to be Phil Collins when I was in middle school. Part of it was that he managed to be cool while being bald and physically unimpressive. I had seen my father and my uncles. I knew where things were going. Back in those pre-Picard days, if you wanted a role model who was comfortable with their baldness, your choices were Phil or Telly Savalas.

(Note: This performance has been one my go-to “weird things you can find on the internet” for a few years, but this is the first time I’ve seen this extended version, which shows Telly was performing on a German variety show. Now I wonder if it’s not actually an example of Telly Savalas trying his hardest to be cool, but might be something he was inflicting upon the Germans as revenge for the war.)

Note from Missy: I feel like the opposite of bravado would be cowardice. Which doesn’t quite describe Phil Collins’s particular brand of weepy, freshly-dumped, playing-the-blame-game songwriting.

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