Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Billy Idol, Queen Latifah, Oasis, Sade, and Joy Division/New Order are set to join the prestigious Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, alongside newcomers Wu-Tang Clan and the late Luther Vandross. The official announcement was made during the recent episode of American Idol. To be eligible for induction, artists must have released their debut commercial recording at least 25 years prior. The nominees were selected through a voting process involving over 1,200 industry professionals, historians, and artists.
Phil Collins, known for his soft rock style, has already been honored in the Hall as a member of Genesis. With hits like In the Air Tonight and One More Night, Collins, a recipient of eight Grammys, including the prestigious album of the year award in 1985 for No Jacket Required, secured his induction in his first appearance on the ballot.
Sade, the soul-jazz vocalist, recognized for tracks such as Smooth Operator and The Sweetest Taboo, was also nominated in 2024. The Wu-Tang Clan, known for their groundbreaking 1993 album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), have been lauded as rap pioneers.
Iron Maiden, a pivotal force in the new wave of British heavy metal with iconic albums like The Number of the Beast, received their second nomination. Luther Vandross, a highly successful artist who sold over 25 million albums and produced hits like Here and Now and Any Love, passed away in 2005 and inspired the song Luther by Kendrick Lamar and SZA.
This year’s induction will celebrate the musical contributions of Manchester, England, by welcoming post-punk innovators Joy Division and New Order, as well as the recently reunited Britpop sensation Oasis led by Noel and Liam Gallagher. Billy Idol, known for infusing a punk edge into pop with songs like White Wedding and Rebel Yell, adds to the diverse lineup.
The induction ceremony is scheduled for November 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with a televised broadcast set for December on ABC and Disney+. Next year, the ceremony will return to its traditional venue in Cleveland.
Apart from the performer category, inductees will be recognized in three special committee categories: early influence, musical excellence, and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award. This year, Queen Latifah, Celia Cruz, Fela Kuti, MC Lyte, and Gram Parsons will be honored with the early influence award. The musical excellence category will pay tribute to songwriter Linda Creed and producers Arif Mardin, Jimmy Miller, and Rick Rubin. The legendary TV host Ed Sullivan will be posthumously awarded the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award for his significant impact on music and breaking racial barriers in American entertainment.
Several notable artists who were nominated but did not make it into the class of 2026 include Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, INXS, Melissa Etheridge, Jeff Buckley, Pink, New Edition, and Shakira. Last year’s inductees included Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Soundgarden, Salt-N-Pepa, The White Stripes, Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Carol Kaye, Nicky Hopkins, Lenny Waronker, Thom Bell, and Warren Zevon.