Phil Collins walked the red carpet using two canes and accepted a solo induction at the Rock & Roll Hall in Los Angeles.
The 75-year-old drummer arrived at the Peacock Theater accompanied by actor daughter Lily Collins, son Nicholas Collins, and daughter Joely Collins, as reported by USA Today. The event took place during the 2026 induction ceremony November 14th at the Peacock Theater, according to Consequence of Sound. Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after their first commercial recording, USMuslims.com said.
Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker introduced Collins, praising his success as a percussionist and vocalist during the 1980s, according to NBC10 Philadelphia. Barker thanked him, as Ultimate Classic Rock reported, “for inspiring me and so many others, to pick up a pair of drumsticks and never stop.”
“I remember hearing those drums for the first time and being blown away. That sound changed everything,” Barker said. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving.” Barker said that Collins’ song “In the Air Tonight” gave the world “arguably the most badass drum fill of all time,” as reported by NBC10 Philadelphia.
Collins moved to the podium slowly with his canes and addressed the crowd.
“Thank you so much, I’m really not as bad as it looks,” Collins said, holding up both canes over the podium. “I’m much better.”
He expressed gratitude to his assistant, noting that she helped steer him toward healthier habits. He thanked his ex-wives for loving him and giving him five great children.
Collins acknowledged his three ex-wives for giving him five children, thanking “my three ex wives, because they’ve loved me through the years and given me five great children,” as Consequence said.
“They are incredibly talented, and I made life tough for them growing up. But they have turned into such wonderful human beings. I love them to death,” Collins said.
The artist traced his career back to his childhood in Hounslow, a suburb of West London. He started playing drums at age five.
“I’ve really been just very, very lucky. I grew up just wanting to play the drums,” Collins said. “That’s all I wanted to do. Everything else has been a very happy accident.”
Cynthia Erivo delivered a rendition of Collins’ signature song “In the Air Tonight.” Barker backed her on the drums, which prompted Collins to rise from his seat without canes for a standing ovation, according to USA Today and Ultimate Classic Rock. Erivo gave a slowed-down, epic rendition of the song featuring a wailing crescendo, NBC10 Philadelphia said.
Addressing his future backstage, the musician indicated that live drumming is likely behind him, though other projects remain possible.
“I’ve got to get back in there because that was fun. It wasn’t work; it was fun,”
Collins said. “That’s where some good stuff comes out of it. So I would like to get back in there.”
He addressed retirement rumors directly.
“There are lots of rumors about whether I’m going to tour, but you haven’t heard the last of me, I can promise you that,” Collins said, as published by USA Today. NBC10 Philadelphia recorded him assuring the crowd that “you haven’t heard the last of me.”