Global megastar Phil Collins has revealed that he plans to record new music and even get up on stage, four years after he last performed live
Phil Collins was brought to tears after being honoured with an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – and then vowed he would be back with new music and live shows.
The Genesis drummer and frontman, 75, was among several British acts who were inducted at the ceremony, which was held in Los Angeles on Saturday night. Collins has not performed on stage since 2022, having suffered from health complications including five operations on his knee, and has previously stated he can only walk with assistance. He has also suffered from back and arm injuries throughout his life caused by years of drumming.
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. He had posed on the red carpet earlier with three of his five children, Lily, daughter Joely Collins and son Nicholas “Nic” Collins. Nic even played drums with him on his last tour in 2022.
Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker inducted Collins and praised him for his success as both a drummer and a hit-making pop singer in the 1980s. He said Collins’ song, In The Air Tonight, had given the world “arguably the most badass drum fill of all time”, which Barker 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.”
Collins had already been inducted into the hall as a member of Genesis, but now also gets the solo honour. He credited his assistant with saving his life after she told him what he had been doing was bad for him and that changes needed to be made for his health.
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.” Although he has not performed live in four years, he then told the crowd: “You haven’t heard the last of me. I promise you that.”
And speaking in a press conference afterwards he said: “Just the other night I was talking to the kids about it and everyone is very excited, including myself, that It is not beyond the realms of possibility doing some shows. I have some great friends of mine who are great musicians and have been in my band.
“I would like to get down to my studio and have some fun and write some music for people to hear and enjoy. It is a work in progress.”
He added: “I can’t believe that I’m not going to do something. I’ve got to get back in there, because that was fun – it wasn’t work. For a few years I walked the long way around so I didn’t walk past it.”
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.
And New Order and the band’s earlier incarnation, Joy Division, were also put into the Hall of Fame. 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.
Oasis were 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 s*** to do it’s Christmas.”
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 Mötley Crüe guitarist John 5.
Other inductees included Wu-Tang Clan, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, the late Luther Vandross, and producer Rick Rubin.
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