Through all categories thirteen artists, two producers, one songwriter, one television host, and one music executive are being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, making 2026 one of its biggest classes. Many long-waiting, deserving artists are finally getting in in some capacity this year.
Performers
After long waits, Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, and Luther Vandross are all heading into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Joining them are Brit-pop domineers Oasis, genre-blending wizards Sade, and hip-hop legends Wu-Tang Clan.
Artists are eligible for the Rock Hall as performers 25 years from their first commercial release. Previously, they were only eligible “after” 25 years (or in their 26th year) because music can be released at any time throughout a given year. This ensured a full 25 years from the first release for all eligible artists for a given year. However, as of 2023 the Hall is now going by the 25th year, as reported by Billboard.
For the Performers category, the Hall voters take into account artists “whose originality, impact, and influence has changed the course of rock & roll.” The only other criterion for induction “include the influence and significance of the artists’ contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll.” Voters (music journalists and historians, industry professionals) look at popularity, longevity, influence, style, technicality, innovation and progression, and more when making their decisions to cast a vote. The artists receiving the most votes are inducted, as long as they were marked off on at least 50% of the returned ballots, which range from 500 to 800 each year.
Award for Musical Excellence
Philadelphia Soul songwriter Linda Creed, Atlantic Records producer and executive Arif Mardin, Rolling Stones producer Jimmy Miller, and Def Jam Recordings co-founder Rick Rubin will be inducted in the Award for Musical Excellence Category. The Musical Excellence Award enshrines artists in the Rock Hall “whose originality and influence have had a dramatic impact on music.” These artists have not been inducted in the performers category. It is unclear if they could still be inducted in that category. It is also unclear if this award is more prestigious than being inducted as a performer.
Ahmet Ertegun Award
Former television host Ed Sullivan will be inducted in the Ahmet Ertegun Award category for bringing rock n’ roll, R&B, and soul artists into the mainstream on his Ed Sullivan Show. The Ahmet Ertegun Award is given to “non-performing industry professionals who have had a major influence on the creative development and growth of rock & roll and music that has impacted culture,” and is usually given to industry leaders (executives, producers, songwriters, etc.), journalists, and other non-performers.
Early Influencers
This year, Queen of Salsa Celia Cruz (the first primarily Spanish-language person enshrined), Afrobeat progenitor Fela Kuti, female hip-hop trailblazer Queen Latifah, hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte, and early folk-rocker Gram Parsons were inducted as early influences. While it’s nice for them to be in the Hall, it would have been better to see them get in as performers. This category is reserved for “artists whose music and performance style have directly influenced, inspired, and evolved rock & roll and music impacting culture.”
To learn more about the people and artists to be inducted on November 8, 2028, read their synopses on the Rock Hall website (scroll down).
The artists on the ballot this year who were not inducted are (in alphabetical order) The Black Crowes, Jeff Buckley, Mariah Carey, Melissa Etheridge, Lauryn Hill, INXS, New Edition, P!NK, and Shakira
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