Who'da thunk it? I liked Phil Collins before, now I like the guy even more.
He owns one of four of Davy Crockett's rifles and has one of the largest collections of Alamo artifacts, and has written a book on the Alamo.
Here's an excerpt of the interview
QA: Phil Collins on His Alamo Obsession, Retirement | Music News | Rolling Stone
How did you first start to collect the artifacts? At one point in the 1980's, I was in Washington and I found a shop called the Gallery of History. They had a Crockett letter in there, which I came across by accident. It was too expensive for my pocket. I've outspent that many times over since, but at the time I was like, "Wow, I didn't know that existed, but it's too expensive." But my third wife gave me a Christmas present that was a receipt for a saddle by one of the Alamo couriers. Once I had something to hang on the wall, then I started to look for other things to hang on the wall.
What's your single favorite item in your collection? That varies from day to day. I've got one of four known Davy Crocket rifles. It's fantastic just to know it's one of the rifles that he actually used. His cousin had it. I just got sent a piece of unidentified bronze with the letter "J" on it. That could be one of the Italians, Mexican-Italians, that was fighting there. This is all very interesting to to those that are interested. It's like transporting to people that aren't.
How often do you go down to Texas? As often as I can. I was there just a couple of weeks ago for a few book signing events. But I go there at least a couple of times a year, to see my pals and just to sort of walk around. It feels very friendly down there.
Do you deal with people down there that are only faintly aware of your music? I think most people are aware of it, but they all seem pretty unimpressed, which is fine by me. At this point in my life I'm quite pleased to be seen in another light. If I go down there, the rangers, kind of the Alamo police – they all tip their hat and say, "Hi, Phil." The gift shop ladies always say hello, too. I'm not Phil Collins down there. I'm Phil Collins an enthusiast about that particular part of history, and that's usually just fine.
Read more: QA: Phil Collins on His Alamo Obsession, Retirement | Music News | Rolling Stone
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook
He owns one of four of Davy Crockett's rifles and has one of the largest collections of Alamo artifacts, and has written a book on the Alamo.
Here's an excerpt of the interview
QA: Phil Collins on His Alamo Obsession, Retirement | Music News | Rolling Stone
How did you first start to collect the artifacts? At one point in the 1980's, I was in Washington and I found a shop called the Gallery of History. They had a Crockett letter in there, which I came across by accident. It was too expensive for my pocket. I've outspent that many times over since, but at the time I was like, "Wow, I didn't know that existed, but it's too expensive." But my third wife gave me a Christmas present that was a receipt for a saddle by one of the Alamo couriers. Once I had something to hang on the wall, then I started to look for other things to hang on the wall.
What's your single favorite item in your collection? That varies from day to day. I've got one of four known Davy Crocket rifles. It's fantastic just to know it's one of the rifles that he actually used. His cousin had it. I just got sent a piece of unidentified bronze with the letter "J" on it. That could be one of the Italians, Mexican-Italians, that was fighting there. This is all very interesting to to those that are interested. It's like transporting to people that aren't.
How often do you go down to Texas? As often as I can. I was there just a couple of weeks ago for a few book signing events. But I go there at least a couple of times a year, to see my pals and just to sort of walk around. It feels very friendly down there.
Do you deal with people down there that are only faintly aware of your music? I think most people are aware of it, but they all seem pretty unimpressed, which is fine by me. At this point in my life I'm quite pleased to be seen in another light. If I go down there, the rangers, kind of the Alamo police – they all tip their hat and say, "Hi, Phil." The gift shop ladies always say hello, too. I'm not Phil Collins down there. I'm Phil Collins an enthusiast about that particular part of history, and that's usually just fine.
Read more: QA: Phil Collins on His Alamo Obsession, Retirement | Music News | Rolling Stone
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook
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