Just like last year, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame partnered with ABC’s American Idol to reveal their 2026 Rock Hall induction class.

After an opening performance featuring Billy Idol and guitarist Steve Stevens with American Idol judge Carrie Underwood playing “Rebel Yell,” the festivities were underway. This all came during a Top 11 night as the finalist pool for this season dwindles while performing songs from past Rock Hall inductees. Recent Rock Hall inductees Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo served as mentors to the singers for the evening.

Who Are the Members of the 2026 Rock Hall Induction Class in the Performance Category?

This year, 18 acts and individuals will be inducted into the Rock Hall, including eight acts that are part of the Performer Category.

In alphabetical order, the Rock Hall Performer Inductees for 2026 include:

Phil Collins
Billy Idol
Iron Maiden
Joy Division/New Order
Oasis
Sade
Luther Vandross
Wu-Tang Clan

READ MORE: Ex-Iron Maiden Member Quietly Added to Rock Hall Nomination Ballot

Who Else Is Being Inducted into the Rock Hall in 2026?

In recent years, the Rock Hall has expanded its induction categories. Among them is the Early Influence Award.

The Early Influence inductees for 2026 include the “Queen of Salsa,” Latin American superstar Celia Cruz. Afrobeat pioneer and activist Fela Kuti is also being inducted. Female rappers Queen Latifah and MC Lyte are going into the Rock Hall, along with ‘70s folk rock hero Gram Parsons, who completes the list of Early Influence inductees.

Another method of entry into the Rock Hall is through the Musical Excellence Award. Those being inducted through this award include songwriter-producer-backing vocalist Linda Creed, longtime producer and Atlantic and Manhattan Records honcho Arif Mardin, Rolling Stones, Steve Winwood, and Motorhead producer Jimmy Miller, as well as producer-turned-Def Jam and American Records founder and former Columbia Records co-president Rick Rubin.

The final inductee is Ed Sullivan, who will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award. The late ‘60s talk show host played a significant role in introducing many of the era’s biggest music acts to a nationwide audience.

Performer Category:

Phil Collins
Billy Idol
Iron Maiden
Joy Division/New Order
Oasis
Sade
Luther Vandross
Wu-Tang Clan

Early Influence Award:

Celia Cruz
Fela Kuti
Queen Latifah
MC Lyte
Gram Parsons

Musical Excellence Award:

Linda Creed
Arif Mardin
Jimmy Miller
Rick Rubin

Ahmet Ertegun Award:

Ed Sullivan

Which Nominees Did Not Make It into the Rock Hall in 2026?

While eight of the 17 Rock Hall nominees are being inducted, nine nominees will have to wait at least another year (or longer) for induction.

Among those not being inducted is New Edition, who actually led the Rock Hall fan voting. However, since fan votes account for just one vote among all ballots cast, it appears that the voting body outweighed fan wishes this year. New Edition collected over 900,000 fan votes after the initial nominees were announced.

Pink, Shakira, and INXS, who finished third, fourth, and sixth in fan voting respectively, were also left out when inductees were revealed. Others initially nominated but didn’t make the final cut include Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, Melissa Etheridge, The Black Crowes, and Jeff Buckley.

The 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place this fall.

Below, check out our list of acts still waiting that we feel are deserving of a Rock Hall induction.