Phil Collins, former rock star and one of the most successful figures in pop music history, has become a major force in preserving the story of the Alamo and the 1835-36 war for Texas independence, having donated some $15 million in artifacts last year to the state-owned historic site.

State lawmakers named rock musician and singer Phil Collins an honorary Texan on Wednesday. Last year, Collins generously donated to the Alamo more than 200 artifacts related to the 1836 battle that he had spent decades collecting.

Against all odds, 200 Alamo items are back home again.