Despite Medical Problems, Phil Collins Not Quitting After All?

March 8, 2011— -- It has not been another day in paradise for Phil Collins fans after their beloved rock star announced his retirement from music last week.

The Internet was buzzing on Thursday after the UK's Telegraph newspaper reported that the 60-year-old drummer and singer, who has sold more than 150 million records and won seven Grammy awards, told FHM magazine that he did not plan on ever making new music again.

Collins cited medical problems related to drumming as the primary reason to walk away from a career that has spanned more than four decades.

But, Phil Collins fans can now rest easy, as he may only be taking a much-needed hiatus. On Monday, the drummer's rep told People magazine: "He is not, has no intention of, retiring."

The musician told FHM that he has hearing problems, a dislocated vertebra and nerve damage in his hands due to years of wailing on the drums.

"I'm not worried about not being able to play the drums again," Collins said in the interview. "I'm more worried about being able to cut a loaf of bread safely and or building things for my kids."

Collins has lived alone in Switzerland since divorcing his third wife in 2007. He said his main concern right now is to spend time with his five children.

When contacted, Collins' representation did not offer further comment on the musician's condition.

But even though Collins is not leaving the music business, he said doctors told him that his hands are not strong enough to hold drumsticks due to a neck injury that caused nerve damage in hands. The musician has mentioned in the past that he taped his drumsticks to his hands in order to play.

It will take about a year for Collins to recover from the pain of the hand injury, Collins said doctors told him.

Along with the news that Collins is taking a break, the musician seemed noticeably morose throughout the magazine interview.

"I look at the MTV Music Awards and I think: 'I can't be in the same business as this,'" he told the magazine. "I don't really belong to that world and I don't think anyone's going to miss me. I'm much happier just to write myself out of the script entirely."