Instagram/@officialphilcollins
One thing about Phil Collins and his engineer forevermore: it’s a trip down memory lane of those days of studio sessions that created the iconic album of 1985, ‘No Jacket Required,’ and the stories from those days, timeless like the music itself.In a recent Instagram post, Hugh Padgham said that Collins was a musician who actually did the recording; Collins was an artist who wanted to get involved in the real hands-on side of it.
Advertisement
The post showed a clip in which Padgham reminisced about making the album from which the hits ‘Sussudio,’ ‘One More Night,’ and ‘Take Me Home’ sprang and noted that Collins was a very hands-on guy on the technical side of the recording. Padgham recounted, “Phil was always sat next to me next to the mixing console, wanted to know what this knob did or that knob.” Also, he was very eager about this, which explains why his demos always sounded so good.
The engineer went on and explained about an almost insatiable enthusiasm Collins had for new technology in those days-from electronic drums to drum machines. ‘Technology-wise, it had come on since the first album,’ Padgham explained. ‘Phil was always into having the latest stuff—Roland drum machines, Simmons drum machines, sequencers.’ So here we have a record that properly blends live instruments and cutting-edge electronics to articulate a sonic statement that sounds eternally young decaying.
Thousands of other commenters flooded the post, rejoicing over Collins and the album, sharing many touching accounts of how his music influenced their lives. One user wrote, ‘Phil got me through my worst times.’ Another described him as ‘the best drummer of all time.’ The comments continued in the same vein. One applause-filled clamor declared, ‘No Jacket Required holds up to this day. The production value is incredible.’
Phil Collins has an ambivalent stance in music history; some rank him highest: “greater than Prince, MJ, and Madonna.” And here’s where the debate started. The other commenter replied, ‘I love Phil Collins, but that’s a stretch.’
The post dispensed quite the nostalgia but nicely pointed out Collins’ ever-curious nature and work ethic, so fittingly stated by Padgham himself: ‘It wasn’t even like having a job—it was just doing something you love doing.’
For anyone who grew up with ‘No Jacket Required,’ the album stands tall as a masterpiece. For the generation of new fans now discovering it, the stories behind the music only add to its height of magical aura. To boil it down, either you’re a true Collins fan or just a random unlucky soul. This record never was just made. It was engineered, tinkered, and polished by someone who refused to accept anything short of the best.
Advertisement
By the way, happy 40th birthday ‘No Jacket Required’ and to the guy who engineered and knocked down every single note, every single beat, and every single synth line to sit perfectly where it belongs.