Rock Hall 2026 Inductees: Collins, Oasis, Sade and Wu-Tang Lead Class
Rock Hall 2026 Inductees: Collins, Oasis, Sade and Wu-Tang Lead Class
The Rock Hall’s 2026 class features Phil Collins, Oasis, Sade, Wu-Tang Clan, Iron Maiden, Billy Idol, Queen Latifah, Luther Vandross and more, with a November LA ceremony.
Music’s Rock Hall class of 2026 spans rock, pop, metal, hip-hop, soul and beyond. The hall announced a diverse lineup: Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Billy Idol, Queen Latifah, Oasis, Sade, Joy Division/New Order, Wu-Tang Clan and the late Luther Vandross. To be eligible, artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years prior, and the nominees were voted on by more than 1,200 artists, historians and music-industry professionals. The induction will be held on 14 November at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Collins, who is already in the Hall as a member of Genesis, has earned eight Grammys and remains known for hits like In the Air Tonight and One More Night. Sade, the soul-jazz vocalist behind Smooth Operator and The Sweetest Taboo, is also among the honorees. The Wu-Tang Clan, hailed as rap innovators since their 1993 debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), brings hip-hop’s enduring influence to the class. Joy Division/New Order, sharing most members and synonymous with Manchester’s post-punk era, join Oasis, the Britpop giants who defined a generation with songs like Wonderwall and Don’t Look Back in Anger. Iron Maiden represents heavy metal’s enduring appeal, while Billy Idol adds a punky pop edge. Luther Vandross, who sold more than 25 million albums and had hits like Here and Now and Any Love, is honored posthumously. Vandross’s death in 2005 left a lasting imprint on R&B and pop, inspiring later artists including Kendrick Lamar and SZA.
The list also signals that this year’s ballot wasn’t a slam dunk for everyone. Names that missed out include Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, INXS, Melissa Etheridge, Jeff Buckley, Pink, New Edition and Shakira. The Hall’s celebratory roster this year nods to a wide spectrum of sounds, including the Manchester-connected talents and a crossover roster that spans rock, metal, soul and hip-hop. The announcement, made during an airing of American Idol, underscores how the Rock Hall continues to reflect evolving tastes while honoring foundational artists who helped shape modern music. The 2026 ceremony promises a night of cross-genre tributes and a reminder that the industry’s storytellers come from many corners of the soundscape.
