The Phil Collins Tribute show at the Elks Theater on Saturday night, presented by Khris Dodge Entertainment, was a blend of nostalgia and the kind of emotional energy that only live music can provide. A high octane, nine piece band featuring two drum kits, two guitars, keyboard and a four piece brass section, pounded out the Phil Collins’ songbook spanning the 1970’s to the early 2000’s. The wizardry of lead vocalist Jeremy Vega, a young man with a remarkable voice and stage presence, lit up the stage like a rock star.
British musician Phil Collins burst on the pop music scene in 1970 when he became the lead drummer for Genesis, one of the biggest rock bands of the 1970’s. He was recognized as one of the top drummers in the period and did guest stints with other legendary rock bands including Sting, The Who and Led Zeppelin.
Collins came from a theatrical family and had been a child star, playing the Artful Dodger in the stage production of the British musical, Oliver in the late 1960’s. Although a naturally gifted musician who penned dozens of hit songs, he is said to have never learned to read music, playing always by ear or thru his own idiosyncratic musical notation. During a musical career spanning three decades, he won eight Grammy Awards, including best record of the year in 1991 for “Another Day In Paradise”, and a 2000 Academy Award for Best Original Song , “You’ll Be In My Heart.” Phil Collins is in the rarified company of Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson as one of only three artists to have sold over 100 million records.
As the Tribute Band’s lead singer, Jeremy Vega, showed himself to be a versatile performer with a mesmerizing stage presence. He belted out the hits with a strong voice that carried him through a two hour show and set list of 22 of Phil Collin’s biggest hits.
In a rock band, the drum is the engine that drives the rhythm and keeps the musicians together. A shout out goes to Ryland Dodge, son of producer Kris Dodge, who played a hot and propulsive drum kit that kept the show rockin’.
From left to right, Khris Dodge, David Stringer, Jeremy Vega, Ryland Dodge, and lead guitarist
Khris Dodge Entertainment will return to the Elks with a show titled Southwest Tenors, featuring songs of the southwest on June 20th. Tickets can be purchased online at the website.
3 thoughts on “Phil Collins Tribute Show—Live at the Elks Theater – David Stringer, Publisher”
Always loved Phil Collins. Never knew his background.
It was a great show. Thank you for this little gem of a review.
I wasn’t aware of Phil’s theatrical background. Thank you for the history.
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