Phil Collins Makes Rare Appearance at Rock Hall Induction
Phil Collins took the stage with two canes at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony in Los Angeles, cried at a standing ovation and told the crowd he is not finished. Travis Barker inducted him and Cynthia Erivo performed a tribute.
Phil Collins made a rare public appearance at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, walking slowly onto the stage with a pair of canes to accept his solo induction. He cried as the crowd gave him a huge ovation.
Collins has not been able to take the stage since 2022. Mobility issues and other health problems have kept him from performing. His daughter, actor Lily Collins, was in the audience.
Barker's induction, Erivo's tribute
Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker inducted Collins. He praised the musician's dual stardom as a drummer and a hit-making pop singer in the 1980s.
Barker said Collins' song "In the Air Tonight" gave the world "arguably the most badass drum fill of all time." Minutes later he played that fill himself, as Cynthia Erivo sang a slowed-down, epic version of the song. Its wailing crescendo brought the crowd to its feet.
Collins was already in the hall as a member of Genesis. This time he received the solo honor.
"You haven't heard the last of me"
"I grew up just wanting to play the drums," Collins said. "Everything else has been a really happy accident. I can't believe, when I look back, how life has gone."
He also assured the audience that "you haven't heard the last of me."
The rest of the night
Queen Latifah, Oasis, MC Lyte, Sade, Joy Division/New Order and Iron Maiden were also inducted. So was producer Rick Rubin, who received a long-bearded tribute from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The evening had felt, beforehand, as if it might fall flat because some key inductees would be absent. It turned out as lively and overloaded as an induction ceremony usually is.
U2 opened as a surprise act with their new single "Silencio," surrounded by dancers in riot squad gear with helmets and shields. They then played their 1984 classic "Pride (In the Name of Love)," with singer Bono alternately raising a peace sign and a fist.
Idol was inducted with his longtime guitarist Steve Stevens by No Doubt members Tony Kanal and Gwen Stefani. The crowd shouted along to "White Wedding," and Stefani joined Idol for a duet on "Eyes Without a Face." Idol told young musicians: "Now it's your turn."
Winfrey inducted Luther Vandross, who died in 2005, calling him "the maestro of the love song." Usher then sang a medley of Vandross hits, including "Here and Now" and "So Amazing."
Wu-Tang Clan filled the stage with its 10 current members and a big jazz band. Comedian Chris Rock, who inducted them, said the group rewrote the rules of hip-hop without a big machine behind them. RZA said: "We took Staten Island to the world."
Run DMC and Aerosmith were the surprise closers, with a loud jam of "Walk This Way," their 1986 collaboration produced by Rubin.
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