Phil Collins became tearful as he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist on Saturday after years of health struggles. The 75-year-old singer and drummer did not perform at the ceremony at Los Angeles' Peacock Theatre because of ongoing health issues, which have resulted in various procedures and now see him require 24-hour nursing care – but he insisted he would be returning one day.
'You haven't heard the last of me'
He vowed on stage: 'You haven't heard the last of me. I promise you that.' The In the Air Tonight singer, who was previously honoured by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 as a member of Genesis and appeared with the assistance of two canes, admitted he felt unprepared but insisted things were 'really not as bad as it looks'.
He added: 'I grew up wanting to play drums. Everything else has been a happy accident.' Collins credited his assistant for saving his life after she told him what he had been doing was bad for him and what changes he needed to make, noting he is a 'well man now'.
Health battles and retirement
He added: 'I'm not joking when I say without her I wouldn't be here. I'd be in a box six feet under.' The music star began suffering in 2007, when he dislocated a vertebra in his neck while drumming on the Genesis reunion tour. This caused severe nerve damage to his hands, meaning he's previously said he's no longer able to play.
Performing in such a position behind the drum kit took its toll on him over time too, leading to foot drop, which is difficulty lifting the front of the foot and toes, and means Collins now uses mobility aids due to significant difficulty walking. In 2021, Collins described himself as 'physically challenged'. He's had five knee operations, kidney problems, caught Covid and experienced prolonged hospitalisations; he also has type 2 diabetes.
The Easy Lover chart-topper retired in 2022 after his band's farewell run; he could no longer drum without feeling pain. During his last-ever run of live shows, Collins sang from a stool while his son, Nic Collins, took over percussion duties.
Tributes and family thanks
During his acceptance speech, Collins went on to thank his manager Tony Smith, Atlantic Records' Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegun, and Virgin Records founder Richard Branson, who he said 'took me under their wing and they saw something that was worth nurturing'. He also thanked his 'three ex-wives, because they've loved me through the years and given me five great children'.
Collins previously made a rare public appearance in May to celebrate the 50th anniversary of King Charles's charity, The King's Trust, formerly The Prince's Trust, alongside his ex-wife, Jill Tavelman, with whom he shares Emily in Paris actress daughter Lily Collins, 37. Alongside Lily and Nic, whose mum is Collins' third wife Orianne Cevey, the musician also has footballer son Mathew, 21, with Orianne, as well as adopted daughter Joely, 54, and son Simon, 50, from his first marriage to Andrea Bertorelli.
Phil closed his speech by praising Eric Clapton and Robert Plant, who are among the musicians he has performed with. He said: 'These guys were heroes to me.'
Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker gave an induction speech for Collins, highlighting his lasting influence as a musician. 'I remember hearing the drums [for In the Air Tonight] for the first time and being blown away, that sound changed everything,' he told the audience. 'It helped define the sound of drums in the eighties, and you can still hear Phil's influence today. And what makes this even more incredible is that he was doing all of this while being part of Genesis and somehow having a massive solo career at the same time.'
'He wasn't just successful at both, he was one of the best at both.' As part of the ceremony, Travis also played drums while Wicked actress Cynthia Erivo performed a special version of Phil's iconic hit, In the Air Tonight, in tribute to him.
Reflections on sobriety and hospitalisation
Speaking in January this year, Collins reflected on his health woes, telling Zoe Ball for his BBC Two special, Phil Collins Eras: In Conversation, the challenges were 'ongoing' and that it had been a 'difficult, interesting, frustrating last few years'. He also reflected on his sobriety, having just marked the two-year milestone.
Collins has spoken about his alcoholism numerous times, which stemmed from personal troubles and his back injury and was a cause of his kidney issues. 'I stopped drinking at six o'clock in the evening. I wasn't one of those guys that sort of stayed up all night drinking, you know? I'd drink during the day, but I guess I had too much of it. I was never drunk, although I fell over a couple of times.'
'But it is just one of those things that happened, and it all caught up with me, and I spent months in hospital.' Elsewhere on Saturday night, Oprah Winfrey inducted the late Luther Vandross, the Wu-Tang Clan performed and Queen Latifah and MC Lyte were also inducted, alongside Billy Idol, New Order and Iron Maiden later on during the evening. Sade joined Oasis as 2026 inductees who opted to skip the ceremony this weekend.
