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 the highest number of British acts ever inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with six names on the list including Oasis, Iron Maiden, and Sade. Manchester’s Joy Division and New Order, recognized as a single entity, are also among the honorees. Alongside them, Phil Collins—previously celebrated in 2010 as part of Genesis—and rocker Billy Idol complete the roster of eight inductees.
Previously, the most British acts inducted in a single year was five, achieved in 2019 with Radiohead, The Cure, Def Leppard, Roxy Music, and The Zombies. A stark contrast occurred in 2021, when no British acts were celebrated at all. The 2026 inductees were revealed during an episode of ABC’s *American Idol*, presented by Ryan Seacrest and judge Lionel Richie. Richie, himself inducted in 2022 for his solo career, was a familiar face at the ceremony.
Eligibility for the Hall of Fame requires at least 25 years since an act’s first commercial release. This year’s honorees, announced in a surprising setting, include Joy Division—known for their brooding, post-punk sound. The band’s legacy lives on through their subsequent group, New Order, who gained widespread acclaim in the US under Quincy Jones’ guidance. Their 1993 appearance on *Top of the Pops* even featured a cameo by David Hasselhoff, blending pop culture and music history.
Oasis, another Manchester-based act, joins the list after a monumental US tour. The band sold out two nights at the Rose Bowl in California, a feat that underscores their international appeal. Despite their success, Liam Gallagher has expressed reluctance about the ceremony, stating in 2017:
“I don’t be doing it,” he said, “because they’re just some geriatric in a cowboy hat.”
Noel Gallagher, meanwhile, admitted to visiting the Hall of Fame in Cleveland, where he remarked:
“I certainly think I do.”
Sade, led by singer Sade Adu, stands out as the first British Black woman inducted. Her US achievements, such as the 2010 album *Soldier of Love* reaching number one and selling 500,000 copies in its debut week, highlight her global impact. Adu, born in Nigeria, spent her childhood in the UK. The band’s iconic tracks like “Your Love is King” and “Smooth Operator” cement their status in music history.
Iron Maiden, a heavy metal staple, finally gain recognition after over two decades of eligibility. Their 2021 and 2023 nominations culminated in this year’s induction. However, singer Bruce Dickinson has criticized the Hall of Fame, claiming it’s “run by a bunch of sanctimonious Americans who wouldn’t know rock’n’roll if it hit them in the face.” He reiterated this sentiment in 2023, stating,
“I don’t want to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, because we’re not dead yet!”
Billy Idol, with hits like “White Wedding” and “Rebel Yell,” has publicly embraced the honor. He shared his thoughts with *Ultimate Classic Rock*, saying,
“You get a chance to thank your fans. That’s what I like about it.”
Idol previously performed at the ceremony, lending his voice to Ozzy Osbourne’s induction in 2022.
The final two inductees are non-British: late soul legend Luther Vandross and the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. Their inclusion adds diversity to the 2026 class, alongside the notable British acts.
