Phil Collins, 75, joins Rock Hall as solo artist after Genesis induction

Phil Collins crossed the stage on two canes and wept Saturday night as he joined the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist, having previously entered with Genesis.

The crowd gave Collins, 75, a huge ovation at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Mobility difficulties and other health problems prevented him from performing, The Associated Press reported. Collins last performed on stage in 2022.

In his acceptance speech, Collins said he "grew up just wanting to play the drums." "Everything else has been a really happy accident," he said, adding, "I can't believe, when I look back, how life has gone."

Collins also told the audience, "you haven't heard the last of me." Whether he was referring to any plans to perform was not immediately clear.

The Daily Mail reported that Collins credited his assistant with saving his life by warning him that his actions were harming him; he also said he is a "well man now." According to the newspaper, Collins said, "I'm not joking when I say without her I wouldn't be here. I'd be in a box six feet under."

His daughter, actor Lily Collins, was among those watching, along with four of his other children, AP reported.

Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker inducted Collins, praising his work behind the drums and his success as a pop hitmaker in the 1980s. Barker said "In the Air Tonight" gave the world "arguably the most badass drum fill of all time."

Barker also addressed Collins' ability to balance Genesis with his solo work. "He wasn't just successful at both; he was one of the best at both," Barker said.

Cynthia Erivo followed with a slowed-down tribute performance of "In the Air Tonight," while Barker played its drum fill.

The other inductees included Queen Latifah, Oasis, MC Lyte, Sade, Joy Division/New Order, Iron Maiden and producer Rick Rubin. Oprah Winfrey inducted the late Luther Vandross, while comedian Chris Rock inducted Wu-Tang Clan. Billy Idol, 70, and his longtime guitarist Steve Stevens were inducted by No Doubt members Tony Kanal and Gwen Stefani.

Rubin left the stage after a one-sentence acceptance speech, "You can't kill rock 'n' roll." All four Red Hot Chili Peppers wore white wigs and long white fake beards resembling Rubin's look for their performance of "Give It Away."

Several inductees stayed away. Oasis was absent because Noel Gallagher was performing in Britain and Liam Gallagher did not want to come. On Nov. 10, Liam Gallagher wrote on X, "It's too far to be going for the night I got shit to do it's Christmas."

It’s too far to be going for the night I got shit to do it’s Christmas

— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) November 10, 2026

Bob Odenkirk, who inducted Oasis, asked, "Anybody surprised they didn't show up?".

Sade also missed the ceremony. On its website, the band said, "Please know that our absence takes nothing away from how much this recognition means to us." Iron Maiden was touring Australia, while bassist Peter Hook was Joy Division/New Order's only attendee.

U2 made a surprise appearance to open the show, playing new single "Silencio" and their 1984 song "Pride (In the Name of Love)". Run DMC and Aerosmith ended the night with "Walk This Way," their 1986 collaboration produced by Rubin.

The ceremony had no live stream. AP said ABC and Disney+ would carry an edited version on Dec. 9, while Billboard reported an ABC broadcast on Dec. 8, between 8 and 11 p.m. ET, followed by Disney+ streaming the next day.