The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has named its 2026 inductees, bringing together artists from rock, hip-hop, punk and global music scenes. The announcement, reported by Reuters, features a mix of long-established acts and influential pioneers recognised for their lasting impact on modern music.
Among the headline names are Britpop band Oasis, who made it in after multiple nominations in recent years, and hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, widely credited with reshaping rap through their collective style and influence. Phil Collins is also being inducted as a solo artist, more than a decade after entering the Hall of Fame with Genesis in 2010.
The list also includes Iron Maiden, Luther Vandross, Sade, Billy Idol, and Joy Division, the post-punk group whose legacy continued through New Order. It’s a line-up that reflects how broad the Hall’s definition of influence has become, spanning mainstream rock, soul, punk and alternative music.
In the ‘Early Influence’ category, the Hall is recognising artists who helped shape the foundations of later genres.
That includes Celia Cruz, Fela Kuti, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte and Gram Parsons. Separately, songwriter Linda Creed and producers Arif Mardin, Jimmy Miller and Rick Rubin are being honoured in the ‘Musical Excellence’ category for their work behind some of music’s most important recordings. TV host Ed Sullivan will also receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award for his role in bringing rock and roll to wider audiences.
To be eligible for induction, artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before nomination. This year’s ceremony takes place on November 14 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, with a broadcast set to air in December on ABC and Disney+.
