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NEW YORK (AP) — The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is set to welcome an eclectic group of new inductees this year, including Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Billy Idol, Queen Latifah, Oasis, Sade, and Joy Division/New Order. Making the lineup even more exciting are first-time nominees Wu-Tang Clan and the late Luther Vandross.
The announcement unfolded during Monday night’s episode of “American Idol.” To be considered for this prestigious honor, artists need to have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years ago. The selection process involves over 1,200 votes from artists, historians, and music industry experts.
Phil Collins, known for his solo successes like “In the Air Tonight” and “One More Night,” joins the Hall of Fame for his individual work, having already been inducted as part of Genesis. His career boasts eight Grammy Awards, including the 1985 Album of the Year for “No Jacket Required.” Collins was inducted on his first nomination.
Sade, another nominee from 2024, enchanted audiences with hits like “Smooth Operator” and “The Sweetest Taboo,” blending soul and jazz with soft rock. The innovative rap group Wu-Tang Clan revolutionized the genre with their 1993 debut album, “Enter the Wu-Tang.”
Iron Maiden, previously nominated twice, made waves in the British heavy metal scene with their legendary album “The Number of the Beast.” Meanwhile, Luther Vandross, who passed away in 2005, left a lasting legacy with over 25 million albums sold and hits like “Here and Now” and “Any Love,” influencing contemporary artists such as Kendrick Lamar and SZA.
This year, the hall will open its arms to the sounds of Manchester, England, inducting post-punk pioneers Joy Division and New Order — which shared most of the same members — as well as Britpop’s recently reunited Oasis, made up of Noel and Liam Gallagher. Idol, also English, has brought a punky sneer to pop with songs like “White Wedding” and “Rebel Yell.”
The induction will be held Nov. 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. A TV presentation will air in December on ABC and Disney+. Next year, the ceremony will return to the hall’s home of Cleveland.
Those nominated this year but who came up short for the class of 2026 include Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, INXS, Melissa Etheridge, Jeff Buckley, Pink, New Edition and Shakira.
In addition to the performer category, inductees entering the hall can arrive under three special committee categories: early influence, musical excellence and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award.
The early influence award this year will honor Queen Latifah, Cuban singer Celia Cruz, Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, rapper MC Lyte and country rocker Gram Parsons. The musical excellence will honor songwriter Linda Creed and producers Arif Mardin, Jimmy Miller and Rick Rubin.
More than 50 years after his death, Ed Sullivan, the legendary host of his self-titled appointment-viewing TV show, will go into the hall with the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award. It’s a recognition of how important his Sunday night stage became as a launchpad for nearly every musical icon of the 1950s and ’60s and of how his show helped break racial barriers in American entertainment.
Last year, Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Soundgarden, Joe Cocker, Salt-N-Pepa, The White Stripes, Carol Kaye, Nicky Hopkins, Lenny Waronker, Thom Bell and Warren Zevon all were inducted.