What to know about our 2026 Rock Hall dream ceremony
- Event date The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 14 in Los Angeles.
- Phil Collins Our imagined opening pairs “In the Air Tonight” and “Sussudio” with a possible guest drummer.
- Cross-generational performances The wish list brings artists including Yungblud, Miley Cyrus and Paul McCartney together with Rock Hall inductees.
- Speculative lineup These imagined performances and presenters are predictions, not confirmed bookings or insider information.
This article sketches one possible version of the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, from its performances to its induction tributes. Read our speculative lineup and compare the imagined pairings with the artists and songs mentioned below; none of the proposed appearances is confirmed here.
The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for Los Angeles on Saturday, Nov. 14. The inductees are known, but the ceremony’s performers and presenters have not been disclosed in the information available to us.
This is an editorial wish list, not a report based on insider information. The imagined lineup draws on artists’ musical connections, previous performances and public expressions of admiration, while acknowledging that some ideas may be unlikely.
How could Phil Collins open the ceremony?
A dramatic return by Phil Collins could give the ceremony a memorable opening, beginning with “In the Air Tonight” and continuing with “Sussudio.” This is an imagined scenario, not a confirmed performance.
Our proposed opening pairs Collins’s music with a guest drummer if he chooses to perform.
Picture the Peacock Theater going dark after a pre-recorded video montage, then a spotlight revealing Collins as the opening of “In the Air Tonight” begins. The song’s famous drum fill could raise the energy, while “Sussudio,” Collins’s 1985 hit, would provide a more upbeat second number.
Collins has offered differing signals about performing at the Hall. He said in May that he had turned down an offer, but later expressed a desire to return to the stage. Given the health issues mentioned in the source article, a full drumming performance may be demanding; our speculative version would have Dave Grohl or Chad Smith behind the kit.
READ MORE: Top 10 Phil Collins-Era Genesis Songs
We would have Peter Gabriel, whom Collins replaced as Genesis lead singer, induct him. The pairing would reflect their shared band history and Collins’s status as a two-time inductee, like Gabriel.
Which younger artists could join Billy Idol?
Billy Idol could connect generations of rock and pop with imagined duets featuring Yungblud and Miley Cyrus. Both artists have performed with Idol before, making them natural choices for this speculative pairing.
Our proposed segment builds on those earlier collaborations and their musical connection to Idol.
First, Yungblud could join Idol for “White Wedding.” The two performed the song together at a 2025 festival, and Yungblud has expressed admiration for Idol.
READ MORE: Billy Idol Albums Ranked
Next, Cyrus could join Idol for “Rebel Yell.” They have performed the track together, and also teamed up on “Night Crawling” for Cyrus’s 2020 album Plastic Hearts. Cyrus has spoken through her work about her rock influences, which makes the imagined duet a fit for this cross-generational segment.
For the induction speech, we would choose Billy Joe Armstrong, frontman of Green Day and a 2015 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Armstrong and Idol appeared in the documentary Billy Idol Should Be Dead, and the musicians recently shared a Los Angeles stage for a tribute to the Ramones.
Could Joy Division and New Order reunite with Peter Hook?
A reunion with bassist Peter Hook would be a fitting way to mark the combined induction of Joy Division and New Order. Our imagined set pairs “Love Will Tear Us Apart” with “Blue Monday.”
Hook’s reunion would bring the former bandmates together for songs from both groups.
Hook left New Order nearly 20 years ago, and the group later reunited without him. He was a major creative contributor and songwriter in both bands, which is why we think his presence would give the induction added significance. The source article says Hook is expected to attend, though not all of his former bandmates are expected to be there.
For the induction speech, we would pick Keanu Reeves, a longtime fan of the groups. In a 2022 interview with Stephen Colbert, Reeves named “Love Will Tear Us Apart” as his favorite song. He has also introduced Hook in concert and been spotted dancing at his shows.
What could a Rick Rubin-inspired all-star jam include?
A tribute to producer Rick Rubin could showcase his work across rock, pop and hip-hop. Our imagined all-star jam links some of his notable collaborators and songs associated with his production career.
The proposed set moves across genres to reflect Rubin’s broad range of collaborations.
READ MORE: 32 Hit Albums Produced by Rick Rubin
Jay-Z could start with “99 Problems,” followed by the Red Hot Chili Peppers playing “Give It Away Now.” The imagined guest list could also include Run-D.M.C., System of a Down and Public Enemy.
For a finale, Jimmy Page could play alongside surviving members of the Beastie Boys. The group sampled Led Zeppelin on its Rubin-produced debut album, Licensed to Ill, creating a direct musical link for the proposed collaboration.
Who could induct Oasis if the Gallagher brothers are absent?
Damon Albarn of Blur could turn the old Britpop rivalry into a playful moment by inducting Oasis. The imagined choice nods to Albarn’s expressed respect for the Gallagher brothers.
A former rivalry would provide a clear connection between the inductee, the presenter and the Britpop era.
The Gallagher brothers have said they will not attend the ceremony, according to the source article. Albarn has maintained his admiration for them despite the media’s history of comparing the bands, once saying, “I think Oasis were better!” in a 2023 interview. An appearance would give the rivalry narrative a light-hearted conclusion; Albarn could also be inducted in the future, perhaps for Gorillaz.
READ MORE: Oasis Albums Ranked Worst to Best
With Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher absent, our imagined performance is a single rendition of “Wonderwall” by Paul McCartney. The Gallagher brothers idolized McCartney, even as he once bristled at comparisons between Oasis and the Beatles. McCartney has supported Oasis’s Hall candidacy and attended the band’s 2025 reunion tour, which he praised.
The choice would also carry a historical parallel: McCartney skipped the Beatles induction in 1988, just as the Gallagher brothers are expected to miss their own induction.
Which rock stars could celebrate Iron Maiden?
An all-star tribute could celebrate Iron Maiden even if Bruce Dickinson and most of the band are absent. Our imagined lineup brings together musicians who have advocated for the band’s induction.
The proposed tribute matches guest vocalists and musicians with two Iron Maiden songs.
READ MORE: Iron Maiden Lineup Changes: A Complete Guide
Our hypothetical band puts Tom Morello and Scott Ian on guitar, Lars Ulrich on drums and Duff McKagan on bass. Alice Cooper could sing “The Number of the Beast,” followed by Rob Halford on “The Trooper.”
We would ask James Hetfield of Metallica to deliver the induction speech. Hetfield has praised Iron Maiden as a key metal pioneer and an important early influence on his career.
Who could honor Dolly Parton and Bob Weir?
John Mayer could honor Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir, while Miley Cyrus could pay tribute to Dolly Parton. These imagined choices reflect the artists’ personal and musical connections.
The two proposed tributes connect each honoree with a performer who shared a close relationship with them.
Mayer joined Weir in Dead & Company and performed alongside his musical idol for a decade in the final years of Weir’s life. That shared history makes Mayer our choice for a tribute to the Grateful Dead co-founder.
Cyrus could return for a second performance to celebrate Parton, her godmother, occasional collaborator and close family friend. Cyrus has paid tribute to Parton since her passing and has expressed deep admiration for her.
Which other artists could round out the show?
Olivia Dean, SZA and RZA are among the other artists our speculative lineup could connect with inductees Sade, Queen Latifah and Wu-Tang Clan. The proposed pairings reflect musical style or a publicly stated preference.
These possibilities extend the imagined ceremony across R&B, hip-hop, country and newer pop acts.
Dean could be a fitting partner for Sade, while SZA could perform for Queen Latifah’s induction. Wu-Tang Clan leader RZA has publicly requested that Barack Obama induct the group.
A country performer such as Zac Brown, Chris Stapleton or Kacey Musgraves could honor Gram Parsons, who is receiving the Early Influence Award. The Rock Hall has included country performers in its ceremonies, making each artist a possible fit for the tribute.
The ceremony could also feature younger stars as part of its cross-generational programming. Sabrina Carpenter could suit the show because of her classic-rock upbringing and mainstream popularity, while Olivia Rodrigo has already performed at three induction ceremonies.
This lineup is a set of informed guesses, not a list of announced performers or presenters. The ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, in Los Angeles, and the actual program may differ from these ideas.
Who is included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame gallery?
The gallery title identifies 131 artists who are not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Its description notes that many people have shared thoughts about possible inductions.
The gallery focuses on artists outside the Hall and discussion of potential inductions.
131 Artists Not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Many have shared their thoughts on possible induction.
Gallery Credit: Ultimate Classic Rock Staff
What should readers know about these Rock Hall predictions?
These predictions are hypothetical ideas based on the connections described in the article, not confirmed ceremony details. The listed date, venue and inductee-related context are presented as stated in the source.
The article distinguishes its speculative suggestions from confirmed appearances.
Were the performers confirmed? No. The proposed performers, presenters and tributes are imagined possibilities, not confirmed bookings.
When and where is the ceremony scheduled? The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 14 in Los Angeles.
Why suggest a Peter Hook reunion? Hook was a major creative contributor and songwriter in Joy Division and New Order, making a reunion a meaningful choice for their combined induction.
Who could induct Oasis in this imagined lineup? Damon Albarn of Blur is the proposed presenter, as a playful reference to the bands’ Britpop rivalry and his expressed admiration for Oasis.
Which imagined tribute honors Bob Weir? The article proposes John Mayer because Mayer performed with Weir in Dead & Company for a decade.
