Oasis among record number of Brits entering Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Oasis among record number of Brits entering Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

This year marks a milestone for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as a historic number of British artists will be honored. Among them are Oasis, the iconic Manchester band, alongside heavy metal pioneers Iron Maiden and Sade. The list also features Joy Division and New Order, who are being recognized as a single act, as well as Phil Collins and Billy Idol. This brings the total to six British inductees out of eight, surpassing the previous record of five set in 2019 when Radiohead, The Cure, Def Leppard, Roxy Music, and The Zombies were celebrated.

The 2026 class includes acts that became eligible 25 years after their debut commercial release. The names were revealed during an episode of ABC’s American Idol, presented by Ryan Seacrest and judge Lionel Richie. Richie, who joined the Hall of Fame in 2022 for his solo career, added a unique twist to the announcement. The choice of the show as a venue sparked curiosity, especially since Joy Division—a famously somber Manchester post-punk group—was among the honorees. The band’s surviving members later formed New Order, and the Hall of Fame is acknowledging both entities together. New Order’s success in the U.S., including their collaboration with Quincy Jones and performances at the Hollywood Bowl, underscores their enduring influence.

Phil Collins, a former Genesis member, was previously inducted in 2010. Billy Idol, known for hits like White Wedding and Rebel Yell, is set to join the ranks after prior nominations. His enthusiasm for the honor contrasts with the ambivalence of Oasis’ Liam Gallagher, who has expressed reluctance to attend the ceremony in Los Angeles. In 2017, Gallagher told a representative of the Hall of Fame, “I don’t be doing it,” despite visiting the Cleveland museum. He humorously remarked, “I certainly think I do,” when asked about the band’s worthiness.

“I don’t want to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, because we’re not dead yet!”

Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, who has criticized the Hall of Fame for years, noted during an Australian spoken word tour, “It’s run by a bunch of sanctimonious Americans who wouldn’t know rock’n’roll if it hit them in the face.” The band, first nominated in 2021 and again in 2023, will finally receive their long-awaited recognition. Meanwhile, Sade, fronted by singer Sade Adu, is making history as the first British Black woman inducted into the Hall of Fame. Adu, born in Nigeria but raised in the UK, achieved U.S. chart success with albums like Soldier of Love, which topped the charts in 2010.

Other inductees include the late soul legend Luther Vandross and the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. The inclusion of these non-British acts highlights the Hall of Fame’s global reach. For Billy Idol, the honor represents a chance to express gratitude to his fans, a sentiment he shared with Ultimate Classic Rock: “You really get a chance to thank your fans. That’s what I like about it.” He previously performed at the ceremony, singing No More Tears during Ozzy Osbourne’s induction in 2022.

The 2026 class cements the UK’s prominent role in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with six acts joining the ranks of those honored for their contributions to music. This year’s selections reflect both legacy and resilience, bridging decades of influence and contemporary recognition.