Molly Meldrum uses ARIA speech to send best wishes to Hughes

A teary-eyed Ian 'Molly' Meldrum has been inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame and used his time in the spotlight to send his best wishes to cricketer Phillip Hughes.

During his speech an emotional Meldrum, 71, told the crowd: "I am just like everyone in this room. I am here because I love music."

Meldrum, who suffered a serious brain injury in a fall nearly three years ago, then turned his thoughts to the injured Hughes.

"Godspeed for a full recovery," Meldrum said choking back tears.

Meldrum himself suffered a serious head injury three years ago.

Hughes, 25, remains in a critical condition in an induced coma after he was struck on the back of the head by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG on Tuesday.

Meldrum is the first non-recording artist to be awarded a place in the ARIA Hall of Fame.

He was flanked by Marcia Hines and John Paul Young on stage during his speech.