Phil Collins breaks down in tears: 'Can't believe how life has gone'

Detailed summary

In an emotional speech after being brought to tears by the applause, Phil said: “I grew up just wanting to play the drums. Everything else has been a really happy accident. I…

Phil Collins broke down in tears as he made an emotional admission at his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Genesis frontman and drummer, 75, made a rare public appearance at the ceremony on Saturday (November 14) in Los Angeles, California, having not performed on stage since 2022. Phil has been candid about the health woes that forced his retirement, including five knee surgeries, and was seen using two canes to walk onto the stage last night. He received a standing ovation from the audience, including his famous daughter Lily Collins.

He was inducted by Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, who said Collins’ track In The Air Tonight gifted the world “arguably the most bada** drum fill of all time”, before he performed the track alongside Cynthia Erivo.

In an emotional speech after being brought to tears by the applause, Phil 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.”

Three of Phil’s five children joined him at the ceremony – Emily in Paris actress Lily, daughter Joely and son Nic.

Genesis were previously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010, but now Phil has received the honour as a solo artist.

Phil also reflected on the honour on Instagram, writing that he is “glad it’s happened now”.

He said: “I always appreciated it and I always realised that I was lucky to have that kind of success, but when it actually happens, it’s a pat on the back, it’s like ‘you done good.

“I was thrilled because I’d turned 75 this year and I thought, ‘It’s all coming together at a certain time.’”

Phil’s health has suffered in recent years, after he first dislocated a vertebra while drumming with Genesis in 2007. The injury led to severe nerve damage in his hands and affected his ability to play. A 2015 surgery left him with a drop foot, and in 2017 he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

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