Would a 30 Year old Phil Collins Have ANY shot breaking into the music biz in 2009?

[cdog]

My initial take is no, not as a frontman or star. Hes a great drummer and my guess is even if he worked his ass off on solo stuff, he wouldnt be taken seriously by major labels. Although Im sure he could find work as a drummer or drum tech and survive, is there any way his career (or that of Peter Gabriel) could have the same arc in 2009 as it did in 1971, when Phil auditioned for Genesis and went on to become a huge star?

If Phil were 30 today, would he be working on electronic music or hip hop?

I just listened to "In the air tonight" a few minutes ago, and that song is so amazing. It has this tremendous build up, which is completely out of sync with "hit your hook in 15 seconds or die" mentality of todays pop radio and mtv. It has incredible dynamics in the drums and vocals. This would never, ever be a single in 2009, but it was a huge hit 20 years ago.

Have listeners just grown immature musically? Os is the prevailing industry mentality or "hooks n looks" to blame?

Your thoughts on this matter.

[skylabfilmpop]

Are you basing this on his age or his music? I believe the singer from "Airborn Toxic Event" is in his mid 30's (maybe even on hollywood years), and I think Perry Farrell was about 30 at the time of the first Janes record. Dug Pinnick and Chris Cornell also a bit older than usual in their prime. What Phil was able to do with genesis was to take an art rock band that had likely had a lot of investment into it and then step up to the plate with some pop writing but only after carrying the progressive torch for a couple albums after Gabriel left.

[Darwin James]

Serj from SOAD.... wasnt he in his 40's when he broke big?

Of course Phil would. He would do rock.

MTV doesnt play music.

And Tool's songs are long. They still sell.

[Igotsoul4u]

I have to say that I don't think he would make it. I consider his music to be pop and pop's requirements of 2009 are far to shallow to allow someone like him to jump off. He's not the easiest on the eyes and knows too much about music. I do believe he would easily be one of the top writers and probably would lock down the kelly clarkson pop rock market. writing is writing.