Record British Inductions into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
A record six British performers are set to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year. Among those voted in are Oasis, heavy metal pioneers Iron Maiden, and the band Sade.
The six British acts, out of a total of eight inductees, also include Manchester's Joy Division and New Order (honoured as a single entity), Phil Collins (previously inducted in 2010 as a member of Genesis), and rocker Billy Idol.
In the 40-year history of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the previous record for British acts inducted in a single year was five, achieved in 2019 when Radiohead, The Cure, Def Leppard, Roxy Music, and The Zombies were honoured.
As recently as 2021, there were no British inductees.
Acts become eligible for induction 25 years after their first commercial release.
Liam Gallagher's Reaction to Oasis Induction
Liam Gallagher had previously dismissed the Hall of Fame, stating he was uninterested in receiving an award from "some geriatric in a cowboy hat."
However, on Tuesday, he posted on X:
"Reverse psychology vibes in the area, Oasis RNR hall of farmers, I mean famers."
A fan replied: "Not too good for it after all x," to which Gallagher responded:
"Nope."
When asked what he would say in his acceptance speech, Gallagher added:
"Well I'll obv bring a box of chocolates and flowers and apologise to the organisers for my ignorance."
He later posted:
"I wanna thank all the people who voted for us it's a real honour ever since I was a little kid and singing in the shower I'd dream about 1 day being in the RnR hall of tame it's true what they say anything is possible if you have a dream LG x."
Announcement on American Idol
The 2026 honourees were announced during an episode of ABC's American Idol by presenter Ryan Seacrest and judge Lionel Richie. Richie himself was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 for his solo work, although his band The Commodores have not been inducted.
The choice of American Idol as the platform for the announcement was somewhat unexpected, given that one of the honoured acts was the famously somber Manchester post-punk band Joy Division.
The remaining members of Joy Division formed the band New Order, and the Hall of Fame is inducting them together.
New Order achieved significant success in the US, having been signed by Quincy Jones and performing at the Hollywood Bowl.
The announcement on American Idol is not their first unusual connection to US television. In 1993, for Top of the Pops, they performed their hit "Regret" from the set of Baywatch, which featured a cameo from David Hasselhoff.
Oasis' Induction Following Major US Tour
Oasis, also from Manchester, are being inducted the year after completing their largest US tour, which included two sold-out nights at the 90,000-capacity Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California.
Noel Gallagher told Rolling Stone magazine in 2017 that he had accepted an invitation from a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame representative to visit the museum in Cleveland, Ohio.
He said:
"I know what it is (the Hall of Fame). I know what it entails and it won't be happening, ok? They showed me all these exhibits of Oasis stuff. It's a great place, but I won't be doing it."
When asked if the band deserved to be inducted, he joked:
"I certainly think I do."
Sade's US Success and Historic Induction
Sade, fronted by singer Sade Adu, has achieved greater success in the US than in the UK; their most recent album, Soldier of Love, was a US number one in 2010, selling half a million copies in its first week.
Adu was born in Nigeria but grew up in the UK from age four. She is the first British black woman to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The group is best known for hits such as "Your Love is King," "Smooth Operator," and "Sweetest Taboo."
Iron Maiden's Long-Awaited Induction
Iron Maiden, eligible for over 20 years, are finally being inducted after nominations in 2021 and 2023.
Their singer Bruce Dickinson has been critical of the Hall of Fame, stating during a spoken word tour in Australia:
"It's run by a bunch of sanctimonious Americans who wouldn't know rock'n'roll if it hit them in the face,"adding they needed
"to stop taking Prozac and start drinking beer."
He reiterated in 2023 to the Telegraph:
"I don't want to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, because we're not dead yet!"
Billy Idol's Enthusiastic Induction
Billy Idol, known for hits like "White Wedding" and the US number one "Mony Mony," is also being inducted after a previous nomination.
Unlike Oasis and Iron Maiden, Idol has expressed enthusiasm about being included. He told Ultimate Classic Rock:
"You really get a chance to thank your fans. That's what I like about it. You know, you get a chance to really thank everybody who supported you through thick and thin. So that's an incredible honour."
He appeared on American Idol, performing "Rebel Yell" with judge Carrie Underwood. It was then announced that he and his longtime collaborator, guitarist Steve Stevens, had been inducted.
Speaking to Billboard, Idol said:
"I can't believe it... it's just been fantastic, being part of this musical revolution we really believed in and to be pushing the culture along.
It's been really fun, and a dream come true. And then this is just icing on the cake, just... wow, what an honour! I almost can't put it into words. To be able to have your peers vote you in and that, it's pretty special."
Phil Collins' Individual Recognition
Phil Collins expressed pleasure at his individual induction, posting on Instagram:
"Obviously I'm pleased and honoured to be inducted. It wraps up what has been a wonderful life in music."
Other Inductees
The two non-British acts inducted this year are the late soul singer Luther Vandross, who passed away in 2005, and the hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan.
British Absences and Controversies
The Beatles were the first British band inducted in 1988, the first year they were eligible. George Harrison and Ringo Starr attended the ceremony, but Paul McCartney did not, issuing a statement:
"After 20 years, the Beatles still have some business differences, which I had hoped would have been settled by now. Unfortunately, they haven't been, so I would feel like a complete hypocrite waving and smiling with them at a fake reunion."
Pink Floyd's internal conflicts peaked in 1996 when David Gilmour held up their Hall of Fame trophy on stage, saying:
"I'll have to grab a couple more of these for our two band members who have started playing different tunes. Roger (Waters) and Syd (Barrett). We'll take a couple of these home."
In the same year, David Bowie did not attend his induction, leaving Madonna to accept on his behalf. Madonna thanked him
"wherever you are."
In 2006, Johnny Lydon of The Sex Pistols sent a handwritten letter declining attendance, stating:
"Were (sic) not your monkey"and describing the museum as
"urine in wine."
In 2018, Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler missed his band's induction. Bass player John Illsley told Billboard:
"It just didn't appeal to him. He's got his reasons, which he really doesn't want to share with me which is unusual because we've shared most things over the years."
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Voting Process
The nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame are selected by a group of approximately 40 industry professionals, including inductees, academics, and journalists with expertise and passion for music.
This year, there were 17 nominees.
Once the nominees are determined, ballots are sent to over 1,200 voters, including every living inductee, who vote on which nominees should be inducted.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony will be held on 14 November at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, the venue scheduled to host the 2029 Oscars.
