Phil Collins leads emotional night at Rock Hall inducting legends and modern icons

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on Saturday night at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, delivering a lively and packed program despite earlier concerns about the absence of several key figures. The event honored a wide array of musical talent, including Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Wu-Tang Clan, Queen Latifah, and MC Lyte. Producer Rick Rubin and the band Oasis were also part of the class, alongside Iron Maiden, Sade, and Joy Division/New Order.

Phil Collins, who was 75 years old, made a poignant appearance. Mobility issues and other health challenges prevented him from performing, so he took the stage slowly with the aid of canes. His daughter, actor Lily Collins, and four other children were present in the audience. Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker inducted Collins, praising his rare dual success as a drummer and a pop singer in the 1980s. Collins expressed surprise at his career trajectory, noting that he originally only wanted to play drums and considered the rest a happy accident.

Cynthia Erivo provided a powerful tribute to Collins with a slowed-down, epic rendition of his hit In the Air Tonight. The performance highlighted the famous drum fill from the song, which Barker had earlier described as arguably the most badass of all time. Although Collins has not performed on stage since 2022, he reassured the crowd that they had not heard the last of him.

Billy Idol received a wild reception during his induction. He was honored by Tony Kanal and Gwen Stefani of No Doubt, who joined him for a duet on Eyes Without a Face. Idol, who was inducted alongside his longtime guitarist Steve Stevens, encouraged young musicians to take their turn in the industry. He concluded his segment by announcing his intention to party with Wu-Tang Clan.

Oprah Winfrey inducted the late R&B singer Luther Vandross, whom she called the maestro of the love song. Winfrey praised Vandross for his ability to reach deep emotional places with his soulful voice. Usher followed with a sultry medley of Vandross hits, including So Amazing and Here and Now, keeping the tribute intimate and respectful.

Wu-Tang Clan made a significant impact by filling the stage with their ten current members. Backed by a jazz band, they performed a medley that included C.R.E.A.M. and Shimmy Shimmy Ya. Comedian Chris Rock inducted the group, noting that they rewrote the rules of hip-hop without major corporate backing. Group leader RZA stated that they aimed to conquer and make a lasting mark on the world.

MC Lyte was the first artist inducted that evening, recognized by Remy Ma as a pioneer who created space for other women in hip-hop. Later in the night, Queen Latifah was inducted by Megan Thee Stallion. Latifah reflected on the difficulty of being a woman in the genre, calling it a challenging path. The two rappers then performed a medley of their own hits together, including U.N.I.T.Y. and Ruffneck.

Rick Rubin accepted his induction with a brief speech, declaring that rock and roll cannot be killed. Neil Young, a longtime member of the hall, inducted Rubin and joked about his work habits while praising his dedication to artists like Johnny Cash and Adele. The Red Hot Chili Peppers provided a humorous tribute, appearing with white wigs and beards to mimic Rubin's look while playing their hit Give It Away.

Several inductees were absent from the ceremony. Oasis did not attend, with Noel Gallagher performing in Britain and Liam Gallagher choosing to stay home. Bob Odenkirk inducted the band and joked that their absence was in character. Iron Maiden remained in Australia for their world tour, and Sade skipped the event. Jack Black inducted Iron Maiden, while Andra Day inducted Sade. Joy Division and New Order received a joint induction, with Peter Hook performing songs from both bands.

The ceremony also honored early influences and posthumous inductees, including Gram Parsons, Fela Kuti, and Celia Cruz, through video tributes. After streaming the event live in recent years, the Rock Hall returned to its traditional format. An edited version of the ceremony will air on ABC and Disney+ on December 9.