Martin Levac

Gretsch Artist Since: 2026

Country: CA

Band or Affiliations: Tribute Artist to Phil Collins

Current Kit Setup:
USA Custom in Piano Black finish
8-10 concert toms
12-13 rack toms
16 floor
14x20 or 14x22 bass drums
USA custom maple or COB snares

Influences:
Phil Collins - Charlie Watts - Art Blakey

We asked...Why Gretsch?:
As a lifelong, die-hard fan of Phil Collins, for me the Gretsch name has always been synonymous with quality— a source of inspiration and a dream to aspire to. It also happens that the drummers I admire most—Art Blakey, Charlie Watts, Tony Williams, Steve Jordan, and so many others—all displayed that Gretsch logo on their front bass drum heads.

Advice to aspiring musicians?:
Music is a wonderfull way of making the world a little better.

Bio:
Martin Levac is a singer, drummer, keyboardist and singer-songwriter. Known in Quebec for his performances as the personification of British singer-drummer Phil Collins, Martin is nonetheless a jack-of-all-trades who loves to take on new musical projects.

​Born in Longueuil in 1971, he began learning the drums at the age of eight, and formed his first band at thirteen! His passion for Phil Collins and Genesis was born in his teens, as the band was at the height of its popularity in the 80s. Martin went so far as to change his drum set from right-handed to left-handed to better reproduce the nuances of his idol's playing. Despite this, Martin is a music lover who is constantly expanding his musical baggage by integrating new styles.

He composed his first songs in 1988, as a member of the group The Bob's. He took part in the Festival International de la Chanson de Granby in 1996 and 1998, and was a finalist in both editions. His first album, “L'amour ou le sexe”, was released in 2000, followed by ‘Levac’ in 2001 and “Influences” in 2006, the latter composed during Martin's last tour with a tribute band to Genesis music during the Peter Gabriel period.

Having joined the band in 2002, it's at this point that Martin professionally impersonates Phil Collins for the first time. He plays drums and does vocal harmonies, and performs the song More Fool Me, just as Phil did in Selling England by the Pound.

That same year, Martin and Phil met for the first time in the studios of Montreal radio station CKOI, during the promotional tour for the British singer's album Testify. In February 2005, Martin and Phil meet again in Geneva as part of a tour. Phil spends the day with the band, and even takes Martin's place behind the drums for the encore! During his appearance on the Quebec TV show “Tout le monde en parle” in 2010, Phil recognized Martin as his best performer and personifier, his opinion agreeing with both the public and the critics.

This recognition allows Martin to share the stage with Phil Collins' collaborators. Artists as talented as they are renowned, such as Daryl Stuermer, Ronnie Caryl and Amy Keys, among others.

Today, Martin continues to thrill audiences across Quebec with his three shows: Phil Collins & Genesis, Collins/Gabriel and Musicographie d'un imposteur, the latter presented exclusively at Studio Bapaume. When he's not performing, Martin divides his time between songwriting and teaching voice and drums.