Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducts 2026 class at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater

The Story

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted its 2026 class of 18 musical luminaries at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, marking a ceremony in which artists become eligible for induction 25 years after their first music release.

Luther Vandross, an R&B singer known for love songs and a defining voice of the 1980s and ’90s, was among the 2026 inductees, with key songs including “Never Too Much,” “Dance With My Father” and “I’d Rather.” Vandross was inducted by Oprah Winfrey.

Usher was also inducted, performing a medley of his songs including “Here and Now” and “So Amazing.” MC Lyte, a trailblazing Brooklyn rapper, entered the hall as the recipient of the Early Influence Award, with key songs listed as “Keep on Keepin’ On,” “Cold Rock a Party” and “Ruffneck,” and was inducted by Remy Ma, who accepted the honour in person.

Sade was inducted by Andra Day; the band is described as a prominent British group from the 1980s that blended jazz, R&B and sophisti-pop, led by a Nigerian-born singer who shares the band’s name. Sade did not appear. The 2026 class also included singer Sienna Spiro performing “Smooth Operator” as part of the tribute.

In the non-performer category, the inductees included television host Ed Sullivan, recognized for bringing acts including the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, James Brown and the Doors to American living rooms and for consistently featuring Black artists despite network pressure, with his induction as a recipient of the Ahmet Ertegun Award; he was inducted via video montage.

The class of 18 also featured a range of performers and collaborators, including Phil Collins, who would be inducted later in the evening; Billy Idol, who would also be inducted later and alongside longtime guitarist Steve Stevens. Other inductees named in the 2026 class list included Wu-Tang Clan (inducted with key songs such as “C.R.E.A.M.” and “Protect Ya Neck”); Oasis; Joy Division and New Order in a joint induction; Iron Maiden; Queen Latifah (inducted as an Early Influence Award recipient with key songs including “U.N.I.T.Y.” and “Ladies First”); and Celia Cruz (inducted as an Early Influence Award recipient with key songs including “Vasos Vacíos” and “La Vida Es Un Carnaval”).

Additional inductees included Fela Kútì (entering as a recipient of the Early Influence Award), Gram Parsons (also named as an Early Influence Award recipient), and several music industry figures receiving awards for their work: Rick Rubin, Linda Creed, Arif Mardin, and Jimmy Miller, with each of their specific award categories and described contributions set out as part of the class overview.