Phil Collins was brought to tears after being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. The Genesis drummer and frontman, 75, was among several British acts honoured at the ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday night.
Collins has not performed on stage since 2022, having suffered health complications including five operations on his knee, and has previously said he can only walk with assistance. He has also dealt with back and arm injuries throughout his life caused by years of drumming.
Emotional Stage Appearance
During the ceremony, he took to the stage slowly using a pair of canes and cried after receiving a huge ovation from the crowd, which included his daughter, actor Lily Collins.
Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker inducted Collins and praised him for his success both as a drummer and as a hit-making pop singer in the 1980s. Barker said Collins' song "In The Air Tonight" had given the world "arguably the most badass drum fill of all time", which he then performed alongside Cynthia Erivo.
Speaking on stage, Collins said: "I grew up just wanting to play the drums. Everything else has been a really happy accident. I can't believe, when I look back, how life has gone."
Other British Honourees
Collins had already been inducted into the hall as a member of Genesis, but now also receives the solo honour. Although he has not performed live in four years, he told the crowd that "you haven't heard the last of me".
Billy Idol was also honoured, with the 70-year-old English singer inducted along with his long-time guitarist Steve Stevens. He also performed at the ceremony.
New Order and the band's earlier incarnation, Joy Division, were honoured as well. Founding bassist Peter Hook was the only member to attend, thanking fans in his speech for "all their wonderful and priceless efforts in making this happen and putting me here tonight". "For me, it's been a wild 50 years. I've been happy, I've been mad, I've been heartbroken in equal measures, but I'm still here," he later added.
Absentees and Performances
Oasis were also inducted into the hall but did not turn up. While Noel Gallagher was performing at the London Jazz Festival on Saturday, his brother Liam Gallagher posted on X last week: "It's too far to be going for the night. I got shit to do it's Christmas."
"Anybody surprised they didn't show up?" asked actor and Oasis superfan Bob Odenkirk, who inducted them. "It would've been out of character if they had. I would've been worried about them," he added.
Another British inductee was the band Sade, including lead singer Sade Adu, who were not in attendance but shared a statement on their website this week that read: "Sorry we can't be there in person to celebrate with the other artists. Please know that our absence takes nothing away from how much this recognition means to us." "Being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is both a gift and a timely reminder to give thanks, not only to those who voted for us but also every single person who lets our music into their lives."
British heavy metal band Iron Maiden were also inducted. While they are currently touring in Australia and could not attend, they were honoured with a performance featuring Jack Black and St Vincent alongside Rage Against the Machine's Brad Wilk, Metallica members Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo, and Motley Crue guitarist John 5.
When inducting the band, Black said: "Has there ever been a band that has rocked this hard for this long? The answer is 'no'. In fact, they're not even here tonight because they're rocking halfway around the world."
Other inductees included Wu-Tang Clan, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, the late Luther Vandross, and producer Rick Rubin. U2 were the night's surprise opener, playing their new single "Silencio" while surrounded by dancers in riot squad gear with helmets and shields. They then launched into their 1984 classic "Pride (In the Name of Love)" as frontman Bono alternately raised a peace sign and fist. The ceremony was rounded out with a performance from Run DMC and Aerosmith.
