Iron Maiden headlines Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2026
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has revealed its Class of 2026, inducting a wide range of artistes across multiple categories. The ceremony will take place on November 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. It will air on ABC in December and stream on Disney+.
This year’s Performer inductees are Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Wu-Tang Clan, Sade, and the late Luther Vandross.
Iron Maiden, one of heavy metal’s most enduring acts, debuted in 1980 and has been recording and touring ever since. Their induction ends one of the longest waits in the Hall’s history. Band manager Rod Smallwood shared a statement on behalf of the group following the announcement.
“We’d like to thank the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for including us in the 2026 roll call of inductees,” the statement read. “Iron Maiden has always been about our relationship with our fans above anything else, including awards and industry accolades. However, having said that, it’s always nice to be recognised and honoured for any achievements within the music industry too.”
The statement also noted the timing of the induction. “It also seems appropriate for the band to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year as we continue our 50th anniversary celebrations with our Run For Your Lives World Tour,” it continued. “We would also like to congratulate our fellow 2026 inductees and extend our gratitude as ever to our fans for their loyalty, perseverance and support for over 50 years now.”
Notably, Iron Maiden will be on tour in Australia when the ceremony takes place, with shows scheduled in Melbourne on 13 November and Sydney on 15 November.
However, Phil Collins joins the Hall for the second time, having previously been inducted as a member of Genesis in 2010. His solo career produced iconic hits such as “In the Air Tonight”, “Against All Odds”, and “Take Me Home”. Collins first stepped up as Genesis’s lead vocalist in 1975 following Peter Gabriel’s departure.
Billy Idol, who rose to fame with solo hits “White Wedding” and “Eyes Without a Face” after his punk band Generation X disbanded, is also among this year’s inductees. Manchester band Joy Division/New Order, known for “Love Will Tear Us Apart” and “Blue Monday”, join the Hall alongside British rock giants Oasis, whose album “What’s the Story Morning Glory?” sold over 100 million records worldwide. Soul group Sade, celebrated for the hit “Smooth Operator”, and hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan, whose 1993 debut Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) reshaped the genre, round out the performer category.
Luther Vandross, who died in 2005, receives the honour posthumously. He found fame as both a backing vocalist and solo artiste, crossing over to the pop charts with songs like “Here and Now”.
The Early Influence Award goes to the late Celia Cruz, Gram Parsons, Fela Kuti, Queen Latifah, and MC Lyte. The Musical Excellence Award is presented to producers Arif Mardin, Jimmy Miller, and Rick Rubin, as well as songwriter Linda Creed. The Ahmet Ertegun Award has been given to the late television host Ed Sullivan.
“Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is music’s highest honour,” said Hall of Fame Chairman John Sykes. “We look forward to celebrating these remarkable artistes at this year’s ceremony — it’s going to be an unforgettable night.”
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