2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees: A Diverse Lineup of Music Legends
The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees include a diverse range of artists such as Phil Collins, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, INXS, Iron Maiden, Luther Vandross, and Shakira. The list of 17 performer nominees also features Melissa Etheridge, Jeff Buckley, Pink, New Edition, Sade, and the Wu-Tang Clan. Billy Idol and Joy Division/New Order return to the nominations this year, along with The Black Crowes and Oasis.
Phil Collins, known for hits like “In the Air Tonight” and “One More Night,” has won eight Grammys, while Lauryn Hill's “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” was the first hip-hop album to win the Grammy for album of the year in 1999. Mariah Carey has had 19 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, and Sade is recognized for soft rock hits like “Smooth Operator” and “The Sweetest Taboo.” The Wu-Tang Clan made waves with their debut album “Enter the Wu-Tang” in 1993.
INXS dominated the late 1980s charts with hits like “Need You Tonight” and “Devil Inside,” while Melissa Etheridge is known for songs like “Come to My Window” and “I’m the Only One.” Iron Maiden played a significant role in the new wave of British heavy metal with albums like “The Number of the Beast.” New Edition and Shakira have also left their mark on the music industry, with hits like “Cool It Now” and “Candy Girl” for New Edition and a blend of Latin music with rock and pop for Shakira. Pink has achieved four No. 1 songs and three No. 1 albums, including “The Truth About Love.”
Ten of the 17 nominees are on the ballot for the first time, including Jeff Buckley, Luther Vandross, and the Wu-Tang Clan. Vandross, who passed away in 2005, sold over 25 million albums and had hits like “Here and Now” and “Any Love,” while Buckley, who died in 1997, received critical acclaim for his debut album “Grace.”
The 2026 inductees will be announced in April, along with inductees in special committee categories like Musical Influence, Musical Excellence, and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award. Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they are eligible for induction. The nominees will be voted on by a panel of over 1,200 artists, historians, and music industry professionals. Last year's inductees included Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Soundgarden, Joe Cocker, Salt-N-Pepa, The White Stripes, Carol Kaye, Nicky Hopkins, Lenny Waronker, Thom Bell, and Warren Zevon.
The diverse list of nominees for the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame recognizes the ever-evolving faces and sounds of rock and roll and its enduring impact on youth culture.