Always a point of contention for rock fans, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame revealed its inductees for the Class of 2026. Surprisingly, the list is actually geared more towards the rock artists who were up for nomination.
Metal legends Iron Maiden are going in, along with Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Oasis, Joy Division/New Order, Sade, Luther Vandross and Wu Tang Clan. Celia Cruz, Fela Kuti, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Gram Parsons will be presented with the Early Influence Award; Philly Soul songwriter Linda Creed, producer Arif Mardin, producer Jimmy Miller and Rick Rubin will be honored with the Musical Excellence Award; and Ed Sullivan will be given the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood issued a statement on behalf of the band saying: “We’d like to thank the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for including us (and former members who were all part of our story) in the 2026 roll call of inductees. Iron Maiden have 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 recognized and honored for any achievements within the music industry too!”
Smallwood continued: “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 visiting the Americas and beyond. 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! See you all, somewhere on tour.”
Members of Maiden being inducted are singer Bruce Dickinson, bassist Steve Harris, drummer Nicko McBrain, and guitarists Adrian Smith, Dave Murray and Janick Gers, along with former guitarist Dennis Stratton, former singers Paul Di’Anno and Blaze Bayley, and former drummer Clive Burr.
Rock or rock oriented artists who were up for nomination this year that didn’t get in include The Black Crowes, Jeff Buckley, INXS and Melissa Etheridge.
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