There are few things that unite Greenpoint residents as much as their collective appreciation for legendary musician Phil Collins.
For the first time since 2015, Phil Collins Day will be celebrated in NYC this Saturday at Greenpoint Beer & Ale Co. (1150 Manhattan Ave.) starting at 3 p.m.
The 69-year-old singer was celebrated in Brooklyn with his very own day begining in typically held on Valentine’s Day weekend.
The event seemed to have reached its apex in 2011 when a full-fledged parade processioned through the streets of Greenpoint featuring a marching band playing instrumental versions of Collins’ hits.
In recent years there has been a PCD drought, but an anonymous and locally famous driver dubbed “Phil Collins Guy” has circled the neighborhood blasting at window-shaking-volumes the timeless Collins hit “In The Air Tonight,” helping to keep the collective admiration of the former Genesis singer a local topic of discussion.
“I remembered the event from years ago and I was talking with my friends about it last spring,” says Steve Holland who progressed from reminiscing about the day to actively working to bring back this year.
Holland, a Greenpoint resident and organizer behind this year’s celebration, and he reached out to the original PCD promoter, Heather, (who has since moved away from NYC) in order to receive her blessings for the 2020 edition of PCD.
A rep from Collins’ Rhino Records label reached out to Greenpointers following an initial post on Instagram announcing PCD, and the label provided vinyl records, box sets and other merch for a raffle. All proceeds from the raffle will go to Collins’ charity the Little Dreams Foundation.
The event this Saturday is free and open to the public and there will be live music to help everyone sing along to their favorite Phil Collins tunes.
Although Holland doesn’t know the identity of Phil Collins Guy, he says that the local legend is surely invited to help celebrate on Saturday.
Why not invite Phil Collins himself to be honored and participate
I have loved Phil’s music for almost 40 years. Saw him in concert , a dream come true! Thanks to those who honor him! Wish I could see him one more time.Hope you’re doing better, Phil!
Hey – This was the last fun thing I did before the pandemic and it exceeded every expectation. Are they doing it again?
Why not play ALL of his music, not just In the Air Tonight? He actually wrote For a Friend for Freddie Mercury, and Tarzan was the first I knew of him. I did You’ll Be In My Heart for Karaoke Monday night for Valentine’s Day and Phil Collins Day.