Phil Collins, Wu-Tang Clan, Billy Idol and Queen Latifah were among the artists inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. U2 opened the night with a surprise set, while Oasis, Sade and Iron Maiden left their seats empty.
What We Know
The Class of 2026 counted 18 inductees, with Joy Division and New Order honored together. The ceremony ran without an announced lineup, and the first surprise came before any trophy was handed out: U2, already Hall of Famers since 2005, took the stage with “Silencio,” a track from their brand-new album Carnaval de Luz, surrounded by performers dressed as riot police. They followed it with “Pride (In the Name of Love).”
Phil Collins, now a two-time inductee after first entering with Genesis, was there in person. Using crutches and visibly moved, he walked out before Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker had even finished his induction speech. Cynthia Erivo then sang “In the Air Tonight” while Barker played the song’s famous drum break, with Collins watching from the side of the stage.
Chris Rock inducted Wu-Tang Clan, who delivered a medley backed by a jazz band that included “C.R.E.A.M.” and the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s “Shimmy Shimmy Ya.” Megan Thee Stallion introduced Queen Latifah, and Remy Ma presented MC Lyte. Both women accepted in person and shared the stage for a joint medley that featured “U.N.I.T.Y.” and “Ruffneck.”
Oprah Winfrey honored Luther Vandross, and Usher sang a medley of his songs, including “Here and Now” and “So Amazing.” Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal of No Doubt inducted Billy Idol and his guitarist Steve Stevens. Idol played “White Wedding,” then brought Stefani back for “Eyes Without a Face.” Thanking his fans, he said: “this moment is truly as much for you as it is for me.”
Who Didn’t Show Up
Several of the biggest names were absent. Oasis, led by the famously feuding Noel and Liam Gallagher, did not appear; Bob Odenkirk gave the induction, and Stephen Wilson Jr. played an acoustic “Wonderwall.” Sade also skipped the night, with Andra Day inducting her and Sienna Spiro singing “Smooth Operator.”
Iron Maiden were on tour in Australia. Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo, John 5, Brad Wilk and St. Vincent covered “The Trooper,” with Jack Black adding harmonies. For Joy Division and New Order, only Peter Hook attended. He played bass alongside Deftones and Lauren Mayberry of CHVRCHES on “Love Will Tear Us Apart” and “Bizarre Love Triangle,” and told the room: “Music is eternal, fans are eternal and we are eternally grateful.”
Background
The Early Influence category honored Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Gram Parsons, Celia Cruz and Fela Kuti. According to the Associated Press, Kuti is the first African-born solo artist in the Rock Hall, and Cruz is the first inductee who sang mainly in Spanish. Parsons was celebrated through a video montage, after a separate tribute earlier in the week at the Troubadour with Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Crow and Elvis Costello.
Producer Rick Rubin, songwriter Linda Creed, Arif Mardin and Jimmy Miller received the Musical Excellence Award, and TV host Ed Sullivan was given the Ahmet Ertegun Award for bringing acts like the Beatles and Elvis Presley to American living rooms. The Red Hot Chili Peppers paid tribute to Rubin by playing “Give It Away” in long white beards, and Neil Young praised him for protecting artists’ creative space. Rubin’s acceptance was short: “Can’t kill rock and roll!” Aerosmith and Run-D.M.C. closed the show with “Walk This Way,” a track Rubin produced.
For a look at who was expected before the show, read our Rock Hall 2026 preview.
What’s Next
Fans who were not in Los Angeles will not have to wait long. A three-hour primetime special airs on ABC on Dec. 8 from 8 to 11 p.m. ET, and it will stream on Disney+ and Hulu the following day.
Sources
- Associated Press (via Yahoo) – A look at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2026 inductees
- SPIN (via Yahoo) – 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction: The Highlights
- Consequence – U2 Deliver Surprise Performance at 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame