The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has unveiled its 2026 list of 18 musical nominees to be honored and inducted later this year in Los Angeles.
The inductees were announced during an episode of “American Idol” on Monday night. As reported by CNN, the ceremony will air this December on ABC and Disney+.
To be eligible for nomination, an artist must wait 25 years after the release of their first recording.
Annually, 500 rock experts cast their ballots, determining who earns the distinct privilege of being immortalized in the ranks of music history.
This year’s standouts
This year’s highlights include the likes of Phil Collins, Billy Idol and Wu-Tang Clan.
In 2010, Collins earned his first Hall of Fame induction as a member of Genesis, alongside band mates Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Steve Hackett.
The 2026 honor recognizes his outstanding solo career, defined by hits like “In the Air Tonight” and “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now),” as well as his iconic work on the soundtracks for Disney’s “Tarzan” and “Brother Bear.”
Idol, who’s now 70 years old, is set to be inducted with his longtime guitarist Steve Stevens.
“Idol expressed gratitude for how he’s handled his career and never expected major success. ‘I was doing it for the love in the first place,’ he said,” People magazine wrote.
His greatest hits include “Rebel Yell,” “White Wedding” and “Dancing with Myself.”
As for Wu-Tang Clan, their nomination signifies the Rock Hall’s ongoing effort to expand its horizons to include hip-hop acts like the Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z, both of whom were inducted within the last six years.
The full list, with four different categories, is below:
Performer category
- Phil Collins
- Billy Idol
- Iron Maiden
- Joy Division/New Order
- Oasis
- Sade
- Luther Vandross
- Wu-Tang Clan
Early influence award
- Celia Cruz
- Fela Kuti
- Queen Latifah
- MC Lyte
- Gram Parsons
Musical excellence award
- Linda Creed
- Arif Mardin
- Jimmy Miller
- Rick Rubin
Ahmet Ertegun award
- Ed Sullivan