___ Collins, musician (4) Crossword Clue
Answer: PHIL (4 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "___ Collins, musician" with 4 letters is "PHIL".Phil refers to Phil Collins, a famous English musician, singer, and songwriter known for his solo career and as the drummer and lead vocalist of the band Genesis. He achieved global fame with hits like "In the Air Tonight" and "Against All Odds," becoming one of the most successful musicians of his time.
Why “Phil” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (4 letters) completing “___ ___ Collins, musician.” The answer, PHIL, fits perfectly:
- Musician reference: Phil Collins is the world-renowned English singer, drummer, songwriter, and record producer, making Phil the exact missing word in the clue.
- Direct match: With four letters, Phil matches the enumeration precisely.
- Precise meaning: The clue calls for the first name of a famous musician, and Phil (Collins) fits both the factual reference and the grammatical structure flawlessly.
Phil Collins is among the most celebrated British musicians of the late 20th and early 21st centuries:
- Origin and background: Philip David Charles Collins was born in London in 1951. He began his career as a drummer with the progressive rock band Genesis before becoming its lead vocalist.
Career highlights:
- As Genesis’s frontman, he guided the band to worldwide success during the 1970s and 1980s.
- As a solo artist, his string of hit albums — including Face Value (1981), No Jacket Required (1985), and But Seriously (1989) — sold millions globally.
- Chart-topping singles such as In the Air Tonight, Against All Odds, Sussudio, and Another Day in Paradise secured his status as one of music’s most enduring icons.
- He also composed and performed for the Disney film Tarzan, winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Examples (as context):
- “Phil Collins’ drumming defined the sound of 1980s pop-rock.”
- “Phil Collins transitioned seamlessly from Genesis to a groundbreaking solo career.”
- “Critics praised Phil Collins for his distinctive voice and emotional depth.”
In quick crosswords like “___ ___ Collins, musician (4),” clues featuring blanks and famous surnames point toward well-known first names:
- Definition-only structure: This is a straight general knowledge clue — not cryptic. “Musician” is the category, and “Collins” provides the surname anchor.
- Enumeration cue: A 4-letter space and the global recognition of Phil Collins leave virtually no room for alternative answers.
- Clue type: This is a common “fill-in-the-name” format used frequently in daily crosswords to test pop culture or celebrity awareness rather than linguistic trickery.
