Phil Collins made a rare public appearance to accept his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at the ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday, where he addressed his health, calling himself “a well man now.”
“Thank you so much. Thank you. I’m really not as bad as it looks. I’m much better,” Collins said at the beginning of his speech. “I’ve got to say, there are lots of rumors about whether I’m going to sing, do a tour of an album, but you haven’t heard the last of me,” he added.
In the press room after the ceremony, he explained that he has an in-house recording studio and a band of fellow musicians that make it possible — and even enjoyable — for him to keep making music. He hopes to share this music and tour down the road.
“Everything started to go wrong,” the musician said. “So at one point I didn’t think I’d live, let alone go on the road again. But just the other night I was talking to the kids about it, and everyone got excited, including myself, that it’s not beyond the realm of possibility of doing some shows.”
“I’ve got some great friends of mine that are great musicians that have been in my band. And I’d like to get down to my studio just to have some fun and write some music that I hope will be good enough for people to hear and sort of enjoy,” he added. “So it’s a work in progress.”
Collins has often been open about his health issues. He told The Times of London in August that he almost died in 2024 from health complications stemming from alcohol abuse. In early 2026, he told BBC Two that he’s undergone five surgeries on his knee.
Despite his health challenges, he is determined to continue his music career. “Well, you say something once and you gotta answer questions about it forever. I can’t believe that I’m not going to do something. I’m not very good at doing nothing,” Collins told reporters.