Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Reveals Class of 2026 Inductees: Discover the Icons Joining Music’s Elite

Broadcasted live during Monday night’s episode of “American Idol,” the announcement created a buzz as the Rock Hall in Cleveland finally revealed the 18 honorees set to be celebrated. Joining the aforementioned icons are influential artists like Sade, Luther Vandross, and Queen Latifah, marking a significant moment in music history.

The official induction ceremony will take place later this year on Saturday, November 14, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. This event will be recorded and subsequently aired for fans to enjoy on ABC and Disney+ in December, allowing a broader audience to witness the recognition of these legendary musicians.

To be eligible for induction, artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years prior. This year’s nominees were carefully selected through a voting process involving over 1,200 artists, historians, and music industry professionals, ensuring a thorough and diverse selection.

Curious about who made it to this elite group? Dive into the story below to discover the full list of this year’s rock ‘n’ roll royalty and find out which nominees will have to wait for another opportunity to be inducted.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s class of 2026 is being inducted within the following categories:

This category includes artists who have created music with originality, impact and influence that changed the course of rock ‘n’ roll.

• Phil Collins (first-time nominee as a solo artist, previously inducted as a member of Genesis in 2010)
• Billy Idol
• Iron Maiden
• Joy Division/New Order
• Oasis
• Sade
• Luther Vandross (first-time nominee)
• Wu-Tang Clan (first-time nominee)

This category includes artists whose music and performance style have directly influenced, inspired and evolved rock ‘n’ roll and music impacting culture.

• Celia Cruz
• Fela Kuti
• Queen Latifah
• MC Lyte
• Gram Parsons

This category is for artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence have had a dramatic impact on music.

• Linda Creed
• Arif Mardin
• Jimmy Miller   
• Rick Rubin

This category includes non-performing industry professionals who have had a major influence on the creative development and growth of rock ‘n’ roll and music that has impacted culture.

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.

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.

You can read bios about each of the performer inductees below. NOTE: Each of the following bios was provided by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is included here in part.

With a career spanning over 50 years, Phil Collins – a drummer, singer, songwriter, producer and rock ‘n’ roll icon – is one of the most commercially successful artists of all time, selling more than 150 million records worldwide as both a solo artist and a member of Genesis. Collins first rose to prominence behind the drum kit, but his distinctive voice and emotionally direct songwriting made him a global star. While he started in progressive rock, he embraced pop, R&B, and soul – skillfully bridging genres with an instinct for melody and feel.

Billy Idol brought the look and sound of punk rock to the masses. A seminal figure of the London scene, Idol became a household name in America in the 1980s through heavy radio airplay and continuous rotation on MTV. Idol’s signature sound – rock ‘n’ roll with a crooner’s soul – created some of the most enduring hits of the 1980s and beyond. His distinctive vocals, charisma, and iconic look – platinum hair, black leather, and signature sneer – made him the perfect artist for the video age. Inductees include: Billy Idol, Steve Stevens

Iron Maiden created the blueprint for how heavy metal bands should look, sound, and tour. Throughout the 1980s, the British group released seven high-octane albums that solidified them as one of rock ‘n’ roll’s biggest bands. With a blistering assault of guitars, driving rhythm section, and soaring vocals, Iron Maiden can switch gears at a moment’s notice to take audiences on an expressive, atmospheric journey. Inductees include: Clive Burr, Paul Di’Anno, Bruce Dickinson, Janick Gers, Steve Harris, Nicko McBrain, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Dennis Stratton.

Joy Division and New Order were postpunk pioneers and electronic dance-floor innovators, inspiring thousands of bands and becoming a beacon for millions of listeners. Spearheading the late 1970s Manchester music scene, their story is a remarkable tale of revolution, metamorphosis, and influence. Their dark and droning transmissions “Love Will Tear Us Apart” and “Blue Monday” were foundational to both dance music and alternative rock, and they still resonate deeply with outsiders and adventurous souls. They were innovative musicians who created something revolutionary and massively influential – not once, but twice. Inductees include: Ian Curtis, Gillian Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, Bernard Sumner.

Oasis are one of the most successful and influential acts of all time. Exploding out of the 1990s U.K. music scene, they reclaimed big, brash, hook-filled rock ‘n’ roll with their anthemic sound, cool swagger, expertly crafted lyrics, and electrifying live performances – eventually selling over a hundred million records. Their songs have become England’s go-to anthems, sung in unison by fans at sporting events and social gatherings and inspiring countless bands including the Killers and Arctic Monkeys. Inductees include: Gem Archer, Paul Arthurs, Andy Bell, Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Tony McCarroll.

With a career spanning four decades, Sade have blended jazz, soul, and R&B to create a sound that’s all their own – laid-back rhythms, elegant arrangements, melodic saxophone lines, and, of course, the smooth, sultry, mesmerizing vocals of their lead singer Sade Adu. As the musical landscape around them changed, Sade’s music has endured – their songs of love, life, and loss resonate with listeners on a deeply personal level. Sade’s six studio albums have sold over fifty million copies, earned countless critical accolades, and built an extremely loyal fanbase. Inductees include: Sade Adu, Paul Spencer Denman, Andrew Hale, Stuart Matthewman.

Luther Vandross was the defining voice of his generation. Responsible for the era’s most enduring love songs, he crafted our soundtrack and gave us words to express our love, our vulnerability and our joy. With unparalleled vocals, raw emotion, and unmatched charm, Vandross captured the essence of love’s power like no one else. Few could match his creative prowess as a songwriter, producer and arranger. Equally impressive, he was an unrivaled interpreter, with his “velvet voice” consistently breathing new life into classic songs. From 1981 to 1996, Vandross amassed a staggering 11 consecutive platinum albums and 26 Top Ten R&B singles, making him one of the most consistent hitmakers of all time.

Wu-Tang Clan fundamentally redefined what a hip-hop group could be – a collective of rappers, a modern pop culture mythology, an artistic brand, and a musical powerhouse. They created a movement that has sent shockwaves through the worlds of music, fashion, and film. Their sound has influenced the beats and rhymes of a legion of artists from JAY-Z and Nas to Pusha T and Odd Future. Inductees include: RZA, GZA, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, U-God, Masta Killa, Cappadonna.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.