Interesting read.Singer Phil Collins said his life now revolves around the Alamo.
Collins is in town, set to appear at local events commemorating the anniversary of the siege and battle of the Alamo. Though he's mulling the idea of recording a tribute cover album of 1960s songs, he said he's making the Alamo my main thing as a collector, history buff and possible author.
Basically, now I've stopped being Phil Collins the singer. This has become what I do, he said Monday, standing beside a 13-foot-by-15-foot model of the 1836 Alamo compound that will open to the public this week.
Collins, who is British, said he has hundreds of cannonballs, documents and other artifacts from the Alamo, possibly the largest private collection anywhere, in the basement of his home in Switzerland. He said he's collaborating with artist Gary Zaboly on a book about his collection.
His most prized item is a receipt signed by Alamo commander William Barret Travis for 32 head of cattle used to feed the Alamo defenders.
His latest involvement in Alamo history is narrating the introduction of a 13-minute Alamo diorama light and sound show at the History Shop at 713 E. Houston St., by the Alamo. Invited guests at a preview tonight will also see a battle site excavation covered with a window on the floor of the shop, which is near the Alamo's north wall, where much of the heaviest fighting occurred.
The show, which costs $1 per person, will be open to the public Wednesday.
What began as a boyhood passion as he saw actor Fess Parker portray Davy Crockett now is a full-time pursuit for Collins, 58.
He's very well read, said Jim Guimarin, who owns the History Shop and has traveled with Collins to battle sites.
Last year, standing under a moonlit sky among the walls at Mission La Bahía in Goliad, it was as if he and Collins had been transported back to 1836. Collins was given a private tour of the San Jacinto battleground, where the Texans defeated Mexico and won independence April 21. This year, they may visit a historic site near Corpus Christi where 35 Texans were killed or captured.
Collins also plans to attend Friday's commemorations of the Alamo battle and is set to speak to the Alamo Defenders Descendants Association on Saturday.
Some Alamo history enthusiasts who weren't familiar with Collins' hits such as In the Air Tonight and One More Night didn't know who he was when he appeared unexpectedly at last year's events on the battle's March 6 anniversary.
Tom Jackson, president of the Travis chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, was a featured speaker that day. He said he knew who Collins was, but was shocked to see him there.
Jackson said Collins' zeal could help stimulate an interest in Texas history in others.
Phil has a strong passion, and I think that's wonderful. There's a great deal of well-written history for anyone with a desire to learn, Jackson said.
Collins said he's passed on his appetite for the Alamo lore to his five children, especially his youngest sons, ages 4 and 7.
My youngest two, they can identify Travis, Crockett and Santa Anna when they see their pictures, he said.
Earlier Monday, it was a local boy, Zakariah Ftaiti, who helped start off the week of historical observances at a Texas Independence Day ceremony at the Alamo. Ftaiti, 11, read long excerpts of the Texas Declaration of Independence, which cited piratical attacks upon our commerce and arbitrary acts of oppression and tyranny among reasons delegates declared our eternal political separation from Mexico.
Ftaiti, a descendant of James Troy Lakey, who lived here after Texas became a republic, said he was nervous but happy to share his Texas pride.
Texas has so much history, with so many valiant heroes. And it's a melting pot of so many different cultures, he said.
Those are the kinds of passions Collins said he'd found. Though still recognized for his music when he's in Los Angeles or New York, he said he's known for his fascination for the Alamo when he's in San Antonio.
I'm a different me when I'm here, he said.
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