Phil Collins Promises “You Haven’t Heard the Last of Me” at Emotional Second Rock Hall Induction
Phil Collins walked onto the stage at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday night, took the microphone, and made a promise to the crowd: “You haven’t heard the last of me. I promise you that.”
The 75-year-old drummer and singer was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist, joining the institution for a second time after entering with Genesis in 2010. Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker introduced him, and Cynthia Erivo closed the tribute by singing “In the Air Tonight” with Barker behind the drum kit.
It was the emotional high point of the 2026 induction ceremony, a taped show that will air on ABC on Tuesday, December 8, from 8 to 11 p.m. ET and stream on Disney+ the following day.
Barker’s tribute brought Collins to tears
Barker, who grew up idolizing Collins as a drummer, delivered a speech that brought the inductee to tears. He recalled hearing the drums on “In the Air Tonight” for the first time and being blown away.
“That sound changed everything. It helped define the sound of drums in the eighties, and you can still hear Phil’s influence today,” Barker said. “There aren’t many artists who get inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, but tonight Phil Collins becomes one of them, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”
Collins took the stage with the aid of a walker and embraced Barker before standing at the podium. He opened with a joke about his health — “I’m really not as bad as it looks” — then thanked his longtime manager Tony Smith, the late Ahmet Ertegun, and his assistant Lucy Evans, who he said he owed his recovery to.
“I grew up wanting to play drums. Everything else has been a happy accident,” Collins said. He also thanked “my three ex wives, because they’ve loved me through the years and given me five great children.” His daughter, actress Lily Collins, accompanied him to the ceremony.
He did not perform — but left the door open
Collins did not perform during the ceremony. Earlier this year, he said he had turned down the chance to perform because he was not “match-fit” enough to properly rehearse and sing, though he added that he would still consider returning to the stage in the future.
Nerve damage stemming from back problems ultimately left him unable to continue drumming. During his later solo tours and Genesis’ 2021–2022 farewell run, his son Nic Collins stepped behind the drum kit while Phil handled vocals.
His message on Saturday night was clear, though: the rumors and the health struggles have not closed the book. “There are lots of rumors about whether I’m going to sing, you know, do a tour or an album, but you haven’t heard the last of me,” he said. “I can promise you that.”
U2 opened the night; Oprah honored Luther Vandross
The ceremony opened with U2 performing “Silencio,” a song from the band’s new album Carnaval De Luz. Bono and his bandmates played flanked by uniformed security officers with “SILENCIO” written on their bulletproof vests, before launching into “Pride (In the Name of Love).”
Oprah Winfrey inducted the late Luther Vandross, who was honored posthumously. Winfrey recalled first hearing his hit “Power of Love” on a cassette tape while driving home late one night in 1980s Chicago — and driving around the block again and again just to hear it once more. Usher then honored Vandross with a medley of his classic songs.
Sade, who did not attend, was honored with a video tribute; Andra Day spoke about her influence and Sienna Spiro performed “Smooth Operator.” Oasis were also absent — neither Gallagher attended — but Bob Odenkirk inducted them after a video tribute, and Stephen Wilson Jr. played an acoustic “Wonderwall.”
Related Articles
Wu-Tang Clan were inducted with a tribute from Chris Rock, then gave a candid acceptance speech and performed live. MC Lyte was inducted by Remy Ma, who called her “the first woman in hip-hop who made sure there was room for the rest of us.” Megan Thee Stallion inducted Queen Latifah, and the late Gram Parsons and Ed Sullivan, who received the Ahmet Ertegun Award, were honored with video tributes.
A class built on attitude
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation chairman John Sykes opened the evening by saying “attitude” was the common thread of the class of 2026: Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross, Wu-Tang Clan, and Collins.
The ceremony was the 41st induction in the Hall’s history. As previewed by NNews, the event went ahead in Los Angeles despite Friday’s nationwide flight chaos, with organizers saying all of the artists were already in town after two days of rehearsals.
Why this matters
Collins’ induction closes a remarkable circle. He joined Genesis as drummer in 1970 and took over lead vocals after Peter Gabriel left in 1975, steering the band from its progressive-rock beginnings toward a sleek pop sound. At the same time, he built one of the most successful solo careers of the 1980s, launching it in 1981 with Face Value and its defining single “In the Air Tonight.”
The albums that followed — No Jacket Required and …But Seriously, with hits including “Sussudio” and “Another Day in Paradise” — made him one of the biggest-selling artists of the decade. Genesis were inducted into the Hall in 2010 by Phish’s Trey Anastasio.
Saturday’s speech was also his most direct public answer in years to questions about his health and his future. He did not announce a tour or an album. He promised only that the story is not over — and for a room full of musicians who grew up on his drumming, that was enough. The induction was one of several big entertainment moments this weekend, alongside Johnny Depp’s Ebenezer topping the Friday box office.
Latest developments
The full ceremony airs as a three-hour ABC special on December 8 and streams on Disney+ the next day. The Hall’s induction ceremony returns to Cleveland in 2027.
Frequently asked questions
When will the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2026 ceremony air on TV?
ABC on Tuesday, December 8, from 8 to 11 p.m. ET; it streams on Disney+ the next day.
How many times has Phil Collins been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
Twice. He was first inducted as a member of Genesis in 2010, and he was inducted as a solo artist on November 14, 2026.
Did Phil Collins perform at the 2026 ceremony?
No — he gave an acceptance speech but did not perform. Earlier this year he said he was not “match-fit” enough to rehearse and sing, though he said he would consider returning to the stage.
Who inducted Phil Collins?
Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker inducted Collins, and Cynthia Erivo performed “In the Air Tonight” in his honor, with Barker on drums.
Collins ended his speech the way he began it — with gratitude. “I just want to thank everybody that bought the records, fans for their loyalty,” he said. “So I’m out of here, but thank you very much. I’m very touched.”
Sources: Consequence (https://consequence.net/2026/11/phil-collins-rock-hall-induction-solo-artist/); Rock Cellar Magazine (https://rockcellarmagazine.com/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-2026-induction-ceremony-highlights-details/)
