GENESIS - BANKS: 'WE MOCKED PHIL COLLINS'

BANKS: 'WE MOCKED PHIL COLLINS'

GENESIS keyboardist TONY BANKS used to tease bandmate PHIL COLLINS in a bid to bring the frontman down to earth. Banks admits he and fellow bandmembers, including guitarist MIKE RUTHERFORD, were often envious of Collins' Grammy and Academy Award success, but made fun of the star to avoid resentment. He says, "No matter how strong your friendship, there is rivalry too. You feel that he's transcended the band and you wonder what effect it's going to have. "We carried on joking about how short he is - and that defused it completely." Collins left Genesis in 1996 to focus on his solo career, during which he released hits AGAINST ALL ODDS, SUSSUDIO and ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE.