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Today’s weather is Phil Collins’ fault.



Twenty-five years since he put in his meteorological request, it's finally come to fruition. I just wish he’d kept his mouth shut. For the past four decades at least.

Phil's got a lot to answer for. Not just for today’s downpour, but for all that gated reverb he used in the 80s. Each drum strike shouldn’t have identical dynamics, whatever Phil, Peter Gabriel and Hugh Padgham might want us to think.

Phil was always an innovator, though. Take his album covers.


The near-360° documentation of his head predates Google Earth by twenty years. You won't get lost on Phil's scalp, believe me.

Collins wasn't the only one responsible for today’s rainfall. Eric Clapton also played a part. Aging rock stars should stick to what they’re best at. Precipitation should be caused by the rising and cooling of water vapour and nothing else.

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