Today in music history, back in 1970 an ad was run in "Melody Maker" by Genesis. Phil Collins answered the ad and eventually joined the group. He made his studio debut in 1971 with Nursery Cryme, which features the epic "The Musical Box" and Collins's first lead vocal performance in "For Absent Friends".
After Peter Gabriels departure from the band in 1975, the group auditioned reportedly over 400 lead singers to find a replacement for Gabriel. Phil Collins, who had provided backing vocals, coached possible vocalists. Eventually, the band decided to use Collins as the lead vocalist for 1976's A Trick of the Tail. Critics noted that Collins sounded "more like Gabriel than Gabriel did".