Phil Collins was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist on Saturday (Nov. 14) and used his acceptance speech to tell the crowd that he’s not done yet.
“You haven’t heard the last of me,” Collins said during the ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. “I promise.”
This honor marks Collins’ second induction. He entered the Hall in 2010 as a member of Genesis, making him one of the few two-time inductees.
Travis Barker inducted Collins, highlighting his impact as a drummer. “I remember hearing the drums for the first time and being blown away,” the Blink-182 drummer said of “In the Air Tonight.” “That sound changed everything. He helped define the sound of drumming in the ’80s, and you can still hear Phil’s influence today.”
Barker also highlighted Collins’ success with Genesis and his solo career. “He was not only successful at both,” he said, “he was one of the best at both.”
Collins did not perform at the ceremony. He said earlier this year that he had declined an invitation to perform because he was not “fit” enough to rehearse and sing properly, although he did not rule out returning to the stage. Cynthia Erivo performed “In the Air Tonight” in her place, with Barker on drums.
In his speech, Collins said he felt unprepared after an evening of more polished speeches, and opened by telling the audience he was “really not as bad as it seems.” He said his career began with one goal: “I grew up wanting to play drums. Everything else was a happy accident.”
Collins credited his assistant with saving his life, saying he had to name her despite his aversion to the attention. “I’m not kidding when I say that without her I wouldn’t be here,” he said. “I’d be in a box six feet under.” He said she told him what he was doing was bad for him and what to do about it, adding that he was “a good man now”.
He also thanked longtime manager Tony Smith, Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegun of Atlantic Records, and Virgin Records founder Richard Branson, who he said “took me under their wing and they saw something worth nurturing,” as well as “my three ex-wives, because they loved me over the years and gave me five great kids.” His daughter, actress Lily Collins, attended the ceremony with him.
Collins concluded by naming Eric Clapton and Robert Plant among the musicians he has played with. “Those guys were heroes to me,” he said.
This induction follows years of health problems for the 75-year-old musician. A spinal injury in 2007 caused nerve damage that left him unable to grip a drumstick. He has since undergone knee surgeries and dealt with ongoing mobility issues. His son Nic played drums on Genesis’ 2021-22 farewell tour, with Collins singing from a seated position. Collins told the BBC in January that he now had a 24-hour live-in nurse.
As a solo artist, Collins has recorded seven No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now),” “Sussudio,” “One More Night” and “Another Day in Paradise.” His albums No jacket required And …But seriously both topped the Billboard 200.
The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will air December 8 from 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. ET on ABC and stream on Disney+ the following day.
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