The members of Phish will take the stage tonight for the first time in 2010 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City where they will open this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. As previously announced, Phish guitarist/vocalist Trey Anastasio will induct Genesis which will be followed by Phish performing a couple of Genesis classics.

[Screengrab by Jen Bernstein]

Tonight’s ceremony – including Phish’s performance – will be broadcast live on Fuse starting at 8:30PM EDT. The 2010 Rock n’ Roll Hall Of Fame inductees are ABBA, Genesis, Jimmy Cliff, The Hollies, The Stooges, David Geffen, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, Ellie Greenwich & Jeff Barry, Jesse Stone, Mort Shuman and Otis Blackwell. Other musicians due to perform include solo star and J. Geils Band singer Peter Wolf, Pat Monahan, and Fefe Dobson.

UPDATE [9:15PM EDT]: Phish performed two Genesis songs which were broadcast on Fuse with Anastasio’s induction speech in the middle. They kicked off the festivities at the Waldorf this evening with a song that Genesis often used to open their concerts in the early ’70s – Watcher of the Skies.

Trey gave a heart-felt speech that explained what was so unique and ground-breaking about Genesis and focused on the group’s early days calling them “rebellious, restless and constantly striving for something more.” Anastasio went on to say that for Genesis “every musical rule and boundary was questioned and broken.”  He also made it personal stating “it’s impossible to overstate what impact this band and musical philosophy had on me as a young musician. I’m forever in their debt.”

Genesis members Phil Collins, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Steve Hackett accepted the honor with Rutherford explaining that Peter Gabriel had “a very legitimate and genuine excuse” for his absence as he’s rehearsing with an orchestra for an upcoming tour. Hackett, who left the band in 1977, expressed how good it felt to be back with his old mates and gave a plug for his upcoming tour. Collins was given the majority of the time and thanked all of the band’s managers and agents throughout the years and thanked Trey for the “convincing argument.”

Phish returned to the stage for a take on 1981’s No Reply at All from the Abacab album. For this tune, the band was augmented by a three-piece horn section. While the members of Phish, who were all dressed in suits, nailed both tunes they performed on this evening instrumentally, the vocals left something to be desired. Collins told reporters he was “moved” by Phish “playing two very difficult songs very well.”