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, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is set to honor an unprecedented number of British musicians. Among the inductees are Oasis, the heavy metal icons Iron Maiden, and the smooth jazz artist Sade. The six British acts selected from a total of eight include Manchester-based Joy Division and New Order, which are being recognized as a single entity. Phil Collins, previously honored in 2010 as part of Genesis, and the rock pioneer Billy Idol also join the list.

Historic Milestone for British Representation

The Hall of Fame’s 40-year history has seen a peak in British inductees this year, surpassing the prior record of five set in 2019. That year, Radiohead, The Cure, Def Leppard, Roxy Music, and The Zombies were celebrated. In contrast, 2021 marked the first time no British acts were included. This year’s selections reflect a significant shift, with a diverse range of artists making the cut.

Eligibility and Unlikely Announcements

Acts become eligible for induction 25 years after their debut commercial release. The 2026 honorees were revealed during an episode of ABC’s *American Idol*, with Ryan Seacrest and judge Lionel Richie presenting the names. Richie, a solo inductee in 2022, noted the unconventional setting, as one of the celebrated acts was Joy Division, a famously somber Manchester post-punk band. The Hall of Fame is recognizing both Joy Division and their successor, New Order, together.

“Joy Division and New Order are being honored as one act, which is a unique way to acknowledge their shared legacy.”

New Order’s rise to US fame was fueled by their collaboration with Quincy Jones and performances at the Hollywood Bowl. This announcement on *American Idol* isn’t their first unexpected connection to American television. In 1993, they appeared on *Top of the Pops* while filming *Baywatch*, featuring a cameo by David Hasselhoff.

Artists’ Perspectives on the Honor

Oasis, hailing from the same Manchester scene as Joy Division, are set to be inducted the year after their largest US tour. The band filled two nights at the Rose Bowl, a stadium with a capacity of 90,000. However, Liam Gallagher has expressed skepticism, stating in 2017 that he would not attend the November ceremony in Los Angeles. “I don’t be doing it,” he said, though he acknowledged the museum’s value after visiting it.

“I know what it is (the Hall of Fame). I know what it entails and it won’t be happening, ok? They showed me all these exhibits of Oasis stuff. It’s a great place, but I don’t be doing it,” Gallagher remarked.

Meanwhile, Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden has criticized the Hall of Fame, calling it “run by a bunch of sanctimonious Americans who wouldn’t know rock’n’roll if it hit them in the face.” He also joked in 2023: “I don’t want to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, because we’re not dead yet!” Iron Maiden, first nominated in 2021, finally join the ranks after repeated consideration.

“It’s run by a bunch of sanctimonious Americans who wouldn’t know rock’n’roll if it hit them in the face,” Dickinson said during an Australian spoken word tour.

Billy Idol, known for hits like *White Wedding* and *Rebel Yell*, has welcomed the induction. “You really get a chance to thank your fans,” he told *Ultimate Classic Rock*. “That’s what I like about it. You know, you get a chance to really thank everybody who supported you through thick and thin. So that’s an incredible honor,” he added. Idol previously performed at the 2022 ceremony, singing *No More Tears* when Ozzy Osbourne was honored.

A Historic First for Sade

Sade, led by singer Sade Adu, is the first British Black woman to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Born in Nigeria but raised in the UK, Adu’s most recent album *Soldier of Love* reached number one in the US in 2010, selling half a million copies in its debut week. The band’s iconic tracks, such as *Your Love is King* and *Sweetest Taboo*, have solidified their global appeal.

Non-British Honorees

The two non-British inductees this year are the late soul legend Luther Vandross and the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. Vandross, who passed away in 2005, and Wu-Tang Clan complete the list, adding international diversity to the Hall of Fame’s 2026 class.