Let’s Rock
Variety has passed along the seventeen nominees for this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Despite being the “Rock & Roll” Hall of Fame, the organization more so encompasses all popular musical acts. The nominees for 2026 have the widest variety of artists that have ever been assembled — from Jeff Buckley to the Wu-Tang Clan. Additionally, it had recently made the news that Wu-Tang Clan co-founder, Oliver “Power” Grant, had passed away at 52. Grant was the manager for the rap group and was instrumental in their business blueprints. Grant would invest in the group alongside Mitchell “Divine” Diggs, as they became one of the more significant acts in the rap game.
The Nominees
And now for the nominations. The nominees for the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame include:
- The Black Crowes
- Jeff Buckley
- Mariah Carey
- Phil Collins
- Melissa Etheridge
- Lauryn Hill
- Billy Idol
- INXS
- Iron Maiden
- Joy Division/New Order
- New Edition
- Oasis
- Pink
- Sade
- Shakira
- Luther Vandross
- Wu-Tang Clan
This will be the first time on the ballot for Jeff Buckley, Phil Collins (a previous inductee with Genesis), Melissa Etheridge, Lauryn Hill, INXS, New Edition, Pink, Shakira, Luther Vandross and the Wu-Tang Clan. Meanwhile, Black Crowes, Mariah Carey, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis and Sade have previously been featured on past ballots in an effort to be elected into the Hall of Fame.
Black Crowes, Carey, Idol, Joy Division/New Order and Oasis are being nominated for an immediate repeat since last year. However, Carey, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order and Oasis have been on past ballots for a total of three times. Black Crowes, Idol and Sade have all been nominated once before.
Pink is the only artist on the list who is being nominated for her first year. She had made a splash on the music scene in the R&B genre back in 2000 with her album, Can’t Take Me Home. Eventually in her career, she would emigrate over to a more rock sound, but she would remain a pop artist with multiple hits on the Top 40 charts.
So, what do you think of this year’s nominees? Who would you like to see get in? Who are you shocked isn’t already in?
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