Phil Collins has opened up about the unexpected end of his 24-year feud with Paul McCartney, according to Page Six. The musicians fell out in 2002 following a brief remark by the former Beatle.
How it all began
During rehearsals for Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee concert, Collins showed McCartney a rare first edition of Hunter Davies’ book «The Beatles» and asked him to autograph it.
According to Collins, McCartney turned to his then-wife, Heather Mills, and remarked:
«He’s a big Beatles fan, is our little Phil?»
Collins admitted that he took offense at the word «little.»
«I thought, ‘You arsehole.’ I couldn’t help it,» the musician told British journalist Piers Morgan.
Collins later acknowledged that he might have read more into McCartney’s words than the former Beatle had intended.
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The musicians finally talk
The reconciliation was prompted by Collins’ charity work. He was collecting music memorabilia for an auction benefiting the King’s Trust, and McCartney learned about it.
According to Collins, McCartney called him and asked what had caused their years-long estrangement.
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Collins said he apologized to McCartney, telling him that he wished he had never made the remark and regretted saying it.
McCartney, Collins recalled, replied that he had thought they were on good terms.
Collins said the two made up. He added that he was happy they had reconciled and finally discussed the issue that had kept them apart for so long.
The musician also said that McCartney remained an important part of his life.
