09/08/2025
A few days ago, our dear friend Phil Collins received a visit in a London hospital, where he now faces the final chapter of his journey. His image remains on our website — www.worldpeacemusicconcert.com — because he was a lifelong friend of my colleague David Winter and was meant to stand with us in our worldwide peace concert. Out of respect, his name has been removed, but not the memory, and certainly not the sadness in my heart.
I grew up in a small town outside Montreal, always fascinated by the world — but in a different way. From the age of 17 until just 15 years ago, I spent much of my life learning, making mistakes, and finally realizing what truly matters. I understood that our past does not define our future — as long as we choose to live without violence, without hate, without ever harming another soul. That is the spirit with which we continue our mission: to make this world a better place for all, and to honor those, like Phil, who inspired us along the way.
This week, a moment of pure friendship and humanity unfolded in Phil’s hospital room. The usually busy halls fell silent as Paul McCartney quietly arrived, carrying the same old guitar that had followed him through decades of music history. On the fifth floor, Phil lay frail after months of battling severe complications from spinal and heart conditions. As Paul entered, Phil’s eyes slowly opened. Without a word, Paul sat beside him and began to softly strum “Hey Jude,” each note filled with emotion. Nurses were moved to tears, and a single tear rolled down Phil’s cheek. When the final chord faded, Paul took his hand and whispered, “We’re still a band, even if the only stage left is life itself.”
That moment — two legends sharing music, love, and loyalty in life’s most fragile hour — is a reminder of what truly matters. It is why we keep going, why we fight for peace, and why we believe that kindness and connection are the greatest legacies we can leave behind.
