In the summer of 2010, Phil Collins took over New York's iconic Roseland Ballroom for a series of special performances that were less about his stadium-rock anthems and more about the music that shaped him. This concert was part of a short, intimate tour called "Up Close & Personal" to celebrate his album "Going Back," a heartfelt tribute to the Motown and soul classics of the 1960s. For this project, Collins set aside his own songwriting to faithfully recreate the sounds that he grew up loving, creating a vibrant and nostalgic journey into the golden era of soul music.
Onstage, Collins is not the drummer but the frontman, pouring his energy into beloved tracks with a massive 18-piece band. The performance is a testament to his deep respect for the material, featuring an ensemble that included Motown legends from The Funk Brothers—bassist Bob Babbitt and guitarists Eddie Willis and Ray Monette—alongside his longtime collaborators like Chester Thompson and Daryl Stuermer. The result is an authentic and powerful sound that transports the audience back in time, capturing the spirit of the original recordings with precision and passion. This show offers a unique glimpse into Collins's musical roots, showcasing his vocal talents in a context of pure, unadulterated soul.