Phil Collins cried on two canes, Wu-Tang brought a jazz band, and Oasis left someone else to sing “Wonderwall”

The rappers came to play, Phil Collins came to cry, and Oasis did not come at all.

The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony filled the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday night (Sunday in Australia), and the moments that will travel came from the inductees who showed up, and the stand-ins who covered for those who did not.

Who stole the night?

Collins, 75, was inducted as a solo artist, having gone in years ago as a member of Genesis. He walked slowly to the stage using two canes and cried during his speech. Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker inducted him, then sat behind the kit and played the drum break from “In the Air Tonight” while Cynthia Erivo sang it.

Wu-Tang Clan, inducted by comedian Chris Rock, got in on their first nomination, after being eligible since 2017. Its members ran through a medley backed by a big jazz band, including “C.R.E.A.M.” and the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s “Shimmy Shimmy Ya”.

Queen Latifah, inducted by Megan Thee Stallion, and MC Lyte, inducted by Remy Ma, both accepted in person and then performed together, a medley that included Latifah’s “U.N.I.T.Y.”. It was a rare night when hip-hop had three of the night’s biggest moments at a hall still named for rock.

What happened with Rick Rubin?

Producer Rick Rubin, 63, given the Musical Excellence Award, was inducted by Neil Young. His acceptance speech was short. He told the room “You can’t kill rock ‘n’ roll” and left the stage. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, whose biggest albums he produced, then played “Give It Away” wearing long white fake beards in tribute to his look.

Who else got in?

Billy Idol, 70, and his guitarist Steve Stevens were inducted together by Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal of No Doubt. Idol and Stevens played “White Wedding”, and Idol sang “Eyes Without a Face” as a duet with Stefani.

Oprah Winfrey inducted the late Luther Vandross, who died in 2005, and Usher sang a medley of his songs including “Here and Now” and “So Amazing”. Trent Reznor inducted Joy Division and New Order; Peter Hook was the only member there and played “Love Will Tear Us Apart” and “Bizarre Love Triangle” with Deftones and Chvrches singer Lauren Mayberry.

Fela Kuti became the first African-born solo artist in the Hall, honoured by video alongside Celia Cruz and Gram Parsons with Early Influence awards. Producer Jimmy Miller, songwriter Linda Creed and producer Arif Mardin received Musical Excellence awards, and television host Ed Sullivan the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

What about the no-shows?

Oasis did not appear. Actor Bob Odenkirk inducted them, and country singer Stephen Wilson Jr played an acoustic “Wonderwall”. Before the ceremony, Liam Gallagher had said on X it was “too far to be going for the night”, and Noel Gallagher had a London show the same night.

Iron Maiden, inducted by Jack Black, are in the middle of their Australian tour. A supergroup with members of Metallica, Rage Against the Machine and St. Vincent played “The Trooper” in their place. Sade was also absent; singer Sienna Spiro performed “Smooth Operator” after Andra Day’s induction speech.

Why does it matter?

For Australian fans the night carries a twist: one of the inducted bands was playing here instead. Iron Maiden’s 50th anniversary tour continues in Australia this week, so local fans saw the band live while Hollywood saw a tribute act.

The ceremony also shows how far the Hall has moved from its name. Wu-Tang, Latifah, MC Lyte, Rubin, Sade, Vandross, Celia Cruz and Fela Kuti went in on the same night as Iron Maiden and Billy Idol: rap, soul, salsa and Afrobeat beside heavy metal and punk-era pop.

How can I watch it?

There was no live stream. An edited three-hour special airs in the US on ABC on 8 December, then streams on Disney+ the next day. Australian availability has not been announced.