Phil Collins Cries as He Accepts His Second Rock Hall Induction, Telling the Crowd: "You Haven't Heard the Last of Me"
(Illustration: USA Current Affaires)
There was not a dry eye in the Peacock Theater on Saturday night. Phil Collins, 75, walked slowly to the stage on two canes, looked out at a standing ovation, and cried — as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame welcomed him in for the second time, this time as a solo artist.
The Genesis legend has not performed in public since 2022, and he did not sing a note on Saturday. The night belonged to him anyway, from the red carpet — where he posed beside his daughter, Emily in Paris star Lily Collins — to a tearful acceptance speech that ended with a promise: "You haven't heard the last of me."
Collins was inducted at the 2026 ceremony in Los Angeles, joining a performer class that also includes Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan. It is his second time in the Hall: he was first inducted in 2010 as a member of Genesis, and fewer than 30 artists in history have ever been inducted twice.
A Drummer Inducts a Drummer
Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker had the honour of inducting Collins, and he paid tribute to a career with no real parallel — a man who became one of the biggest pop stars of the 1980s while remaining one of rock's greatest drummers. Barker praised Collins' unprecedented dual stardom and called the drum fill in "In the Air Tonight" "arguably the most badass drum fill of all time."
Because Collins could not perform, the night's musical tribute fell to someone else. Cynthia Erivo sang "In the Air Tonight" in his place, with Barker himself on drums, while Collins watched, visibly moved. He had explained earlier this year that he had turned down the chance to perform at the ceremony because he was not "match-fit" enough to rehearse and sing properly — a decision that made Saturday's appearance all the more meaningful.
When his moment came, Collins made his way to the podium slowly, leaning on two canes, and was greeted by a huge ovation that left him in tears. "You haven't heard the last of me," he told the crowd — a line that brought the room to its feet again. It was a defiant note from a man whose health battles have kept him out of the spotlight for years.
A Rare Night Out With His Children
The red carpet belonged to the family. Collins was joined by three of his five children: Lily, 37, his middle child with second wife Jill Tavelman, along with daughter Joely Collins and son Nicholas "Nic" Collins. The family posed together in front of the Hall of Fame banner, Collins smart in a black tuxedo and white shirt, his closely cropped grey hair and beard unmistakable.
Public outings with his children have always been rare, and Saturday was no exception — which is exactly why it mattered so much to fans. Lily, now one of television's biggest stars, has spoken warmly about her father over the years, and the pair were all smiles as photographers called their names.
Earlier on Saturday, Collins had shared a reflective statement on Instagram ahead of the ceremony, saying he was "glad it's happened now" — a quiet acknowledgement of how long the honour had taken, and how much it meant to receive it while surrounded by family.
A Night of Giants
Oprah Winfrey inducted the late Luther Vandross, U2 opened the ceremony as a surprise act, and Sade and MC Lyte were also inducted. The ceremony, held at the Peacock Theater for a second straight year, will air on ABC on December 8 from 8 to 11 p.m. ET, and stream on Disney+ and Hulu the following day.
For Collins, though, the night was personal. An eight-time Grammy winner behind some of the defining songs of the 1980s, he has spent recent years largely out of public life, and revealed only months ago that he now requires round-the-clock nursing care. Saturday was a reminder of what he built, and of the affection the music world still holds for him.
Whether he performs again remains an open question. On Saturday night, Collins did not promise a comeback — only that he is not finished. For the crowd at the Peacock Theater, that was more than enough.
The ceremony was a very different night from the one previewed earlier in the week: read our full preview of the 2026 Rock Hall class, including the stars who stayed away, and Rosalía swept the Latin Grammy Awards with five wins this week — a huge few days for music.
What did you think of Phil Collins' emotional Rock Hall moment? Let us know in the comments.
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