- Eight artists inducted in the Performer category: Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan.
- Phil Collins becomes a two-time inductee (following Genesis in 2010), while Wu-Tang Clan and Luther Vandross are inducted on their first nomination.
- The ceremony will take place on November 14, 2026 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, airing in December on ABC and Disney+.
- Notable snubs include Mariah Carey (third nomination), Lauryn Hill, New Edition (despite winning the fan vote), and Shakira.
Weâve been following Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions at Woodbrass for years, and every class brings its share of surprises. The class of 2026 is no exceptionâseeing Iron Maiden and the Wu-Tang Clan inducted in the same year certainly means something. On April 13, Ryan Seacrest and Lionel Richie revealed the eight inductees live on American Idol. From heavy metal to hip-hop, from Britpop to soul: letâs break it down.
The eight inductees in the class of 2026
Of the 17 nominees announced in February, eight crossed the finish line, selected by a panel of more than 1,200 artists, historians, and industry professionals:
- Phil Collins â two-time inductee (already in the Hall with Genesis since 2010)
- Billy Idol â punk/new wave icon, second nomination
- Iron Maiden â heavy metal pioneers, third nomination
- Joy Division / New Order â from post-punk to electronic music, third nomination
- Oasis â kings of Britpop, third attempt
- Sade â sophisticated smooth jazz/R&B, second nomination
- Luther Vandross â soul legend, first nomination (posthumously)
- Wu-Tang Clan â hip-hop collective, first nomination
Oasis: from âFuck the Rock Hallâ to induction
Oasisâs induction may be the sweetest part of this class. In 2024, during their first nomination, Liam Gallagher said on X that the Rock Hall was âfull of BUMBACLARTS.â The following year, he called the institution something âfor WANKERS.â But the Gallagher brothersâ reunion and their triumphant 2025 world tour have apparently softened their stanceâLiam is said to have changed his tune.
To be eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an artist must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before the year of nomination. The term ârock and rollâ is interpreted broadly: hip-hop, soul, pop, metal, and electronic music all have their place.
Iron Maiden: metal finally gets the recognition it deserves
Iron Maidenâs induction sends a powerful message. Steve Harrisâs band wrote the rulebook for modern heavy metal: epic tours, an iconic mascot (Eddie), and 17 studio albums that remain benchmarks. In 2023, Bruce Dickinson called the Hall of Fame âa load of nonsenseââhe wouldnât be the first to change his mind after being inducted.
The induction includes nine members, including the late Clive Burr and Paul DiâAnno.
The induction of Joy Division and New Order as a single entity is the third of its kind in Rock Hall history, following Parliament/Funkadelic (1997) and The Small Faces/The Faces (2012).
Phil Collins, Wu-Tang, and the rest: top of the class
Phil Collins joins the circle of two-time inductees. Retired since 2022 for health reasons, his presence at the ceremony remains uncertain, but the tribute is well deserved for an artist who has sold more than 150 million records.
The Wu-Tang Clan, currently on its farewell tour, enters on its first nomination. The collective redefined the rules of hip-hop in the â90s with Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). On the R&B side, Luther Vandross, who passed away in 2005, finally receives recognition from the Hallâa long-awaited posthumous induction.
The major omissions and the New Edition controversy
Where there are inductees, there are snubs. Among the nine artists who didnât make the cut: Mariah Carey (third unsuccessful bid), Lauryn Hill, Shakira, P!NK, Jeff Buckley, and INXS. The most debated case remains New Edition: winner of the fan vote with more than one million votes⊠yet not selected. A reminder that the fan vote is not decisive.
A ceremony to watch on November 14
The 2026 induction ceremony will be recorded on November 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, then broadcast in December on ABC and Disney+. Beyond the Performers, ten figures will also be honored, including Queen Latifah and MC Lyte (Early Influence), Rick Rubin (Musical Excellence), and Ed Sullivan (Ahmet Ertegun Award).
This class confirms a long-term trend: the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is no longer strictly about rock. From metal to hip-hop, from post-punk to soul, the institution embraces the diversity of popular music. With Liam Gallagher and Bruce Dickinson on the list, it promises to be a memorable evening.
Sources
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame â Official announcement of the 2026 inductees
- Rolling Stone â Oasis, Wu-Tang Clan, Phil Collins, Iron Maiden Lead Rock Hall 2026 Class
- Billboard â Rock Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Revealed
- NME â Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2026: Oasis, Wu-Tang Clan, New Order and more inducted
- NPR â Rock & Roll Hall of Fameâs class of 2026 includes Phil Collins, Oasis and Sade
