Phil Collins Tells Rock Hall Crowd He Is Not Done Yet

“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.

He also praised Collins’ work with Genesis and as a solo artist. “He wasn’t just successful at both,” Barker said. “He was one of the best at both.”

Why Collins did not perform

Collins said earlier this year that he declined an invitation to play because he was not “match-fit” enough to rehearse and sing properly. He did not rule out returning to the stage.

During his acceptance speech, Collins said he felt unprepared after hearing more polished addresses. He opened by telling the audience he was “really not as bad as it looks.”

He described his original ambition as simple: “I grew up wanting to play drums. Everything else has been a happy accident.”

Collins also credited his assistant with saving his life, saying he wanted to name her despite her dislike of attention. “I’m not joking when I say without her I wouldn’t be here,” he said. “I’d be in a box six feet under.”

He said his assistant had told him what he was doing was bad for him and what to do about it. Collins added that he was “a well man now.”

Thanks and health history

Collins thanked longtime manager Tony Smith, Atlantic Records’ Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegun, and Virgin Records founder Richard Branson. He said they “took me under their wing and they saw something that was worth nurturing.”

He also thanked his three ex-wives, saying they had “loved me through the years and given me five great children.” His daughter, actress Lily Collins, attended the ceremony with him.

Collins ended his speech by naming Eric Clapton and Robert Plant among the musicians he had played with. “These guys were heroes to me,” he said.

The induction comes after years of health issues. A spinal injury in 2007 caused nerve damage that left Collins unable to grip a drumstick. He has since undergone knee surgeries and dealt with ongoing mobility problems.

His son Nic played drums during Genesis’ 2021-22 farewell tour, while Collins sang seated. Collins said in January that he now has a 24-hour live-in nurse.

As a solo artist, Collins had seven No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now),” “Sussudio,” “One More Night” and “Another Day in Paradise.” His albums No Jacket Required and …But Seriously both topped the Billboard 200.

The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony airs December 8 from 8-11 p.m. ET on ABC and streams on Disney+ the following day.