In 1981, Phil Collins snubbed Eric Clapton for 12,000,000 copies. Three albums later, he needed to make up for it

Phil Collins initially recorded “If Leaving Me Is Easy” for his 1981 solo album *Face Value* with Eric Clapton on guitar, but Clapton’s part was so quiet that listeners could barely hear it. Collins later invited him back to play on “I Wish It Would Rain Down”, making amends on his 1989 album *…But Seriously*.

The article links Collins’s solo career to the emotional demos he made after his wife left him, which became *Face Value* and included “In the Air Tonight”. It says Clapton’s more prominent guitar work suited the later song, while David Crosby also appeared on *…But Seriously*, harmonising on “Another Day in Paradise”.