Longtime Genesis drummer turned singer Phil Collins was the first to freely admit he couldn’t dance a couple of decades ago, though when the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer came back to the United Center post-retirement, health issues have made even walking quite difficult and drumming virtually impossible. Despite entering with a cane and sitting nearly all of the two-hour performance, the man who sold over 100 million records all by himself (plus at least that much with the band) barely wavered vocally and was surrounded by such a tremendous band, he most definitely (and defiantly) was “Not Dead Yet.”

Just getting to see Phil Collins again to any extent was a priceless treat likely to be relished for as long as he’s alive, while only adding to an immense legacy that’s sure to increase long after he’s gone.

Granted, this show was a straight down the middle retrospective, but considering its been 14 years since Collins last traveled in these contexts, it’s not like any of his individual or group smashes ever really wore out their welcome. Whether it was the ballads “Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)” and “Another Day In Paradise” or the buoyant “I Missed Again” and “Hang In Long Enough,” the headliner was committed to selling them with every ounce of energy available in his 67-year-old body. Along the way, he fondly looked back at Genesis with the selections “Throwing It All Away” and “Follow You Follow Me,” which were accompanied by classic photos and footage on the screens above that further got fans salivating for at least one final reunion.

In the meantime, Collins made sure to remind the sold out audience what’s he’s been up to ever since, from his vulnerable diary entry “Can’t Turn Back The Years” to the “Tarzan” tune “You’ll Be In My Heart” and mounds more plucked from an unstoppable ‘80s and ‘90s heyday. He also passed the sticks to his teenage son Nicolas, who fell right in line with his father’s abilities throughout the whole set, especially in a percussion circle that found Phil cautiously dabbling on a wooden block.

“Something Happened On The Way To Heaven” kept the momentum going, while “You Know What I Mean” with just his son on piano flipped the coin to the calmer but no less striking side of his chart-topping catalogue. However, Collins and company were at their optimal tearing through the anthems, whether it was “In The Air Tonight” (introduced with the unmistakable guitar line from 40-year Genesis player Daryl Stuermer), that very group’s “Invisible Touch” and a soulful background singer’s battle throughout “Easy Lover.”

There was no way the leader could leave without getting everyone to say the word “Sussudio,” and although he could’ve saved some steps by not actually departing prior to the encore “Take Me Home,” deafening cheers encompassed every moment of that extra effort. In fact, just getting to see Collins again to any extent was a priceless treat likely to be relished for as long as he’s alive, while only adding to an immense legacy that’s sure to increase long after he’s gone.

For additional information on Phil Collins, visit PhilCollins.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the United Center include Elton John (Oct. 26-27); Josh Groban with Idina Menzel (Nov. 6); 107.5 WGCI-FM Big Jam featuring Cardi B (Nov. 24); Charlie Wilson (Nov. 30) and Travis Scott (Dec. 6). For additional details, visit UnitedCenter.com.

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