Before Genesis, Phil Collins Was Cut from a Beatles Film

8 Sept 2026 / 3:34

Before Genesis and his solo career, 13-year-old Phil Collins was an extra in the Beatles film A Hard Day’s Night—but his appearance didn’t make the final cut. Louis, Geoff and Wayne discuss the story of the young fan in the concert audience, the footage that survived, and Phil’s later stage presence and “In the Air Tonight” performance. Phil later recalled finding himself in the film’s concert outtakes. The precise reason his appearance was cut is less certain than the story sometimes suggests. Watch the complete Listener Land episode: https://youtu.be/xR7BAo21kAg What’s your favourite unexpected connection between two musicians? Subscribe to Listener Land for more surprising stories from music history. #PhilCollins #TheBeatles #MusicHistory