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 a historic milestone for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with six British artists set to join its esteemed ranks. Among them are iconic acts like Oasis, heavy metal pioneers Iron Maiden, and the smooth jazz group Sade. The eight inductees include Manchester’s Joy Division and New Order, treated as a single entity, Phil Collins (previously honored in 2010 as part of Genesis), and the rock icon Billy Idol.

In its 40-year history, the Hall has only once inducted more than five British acts in a single year. The previous record was broken in 2019, when Radiohead, The Cure, Def Leppard, Roxy Music, and The Zombies were celebrated. A stark contrast occurred in 2021, when no British artists were recognized at all. The 2026 class features acts that became eligible 25 years after their first commercial release.

Unexpected Announcement on American Idol

The list of inductees was revealed during an episode of ABC’s *American Idol*, hosted by Ryan Seacrest and judged by Lionel Richie. Notably, Richie himself was inducted into the Hall in 2022 for his solo career, though his band The Commodores remain uninducted. The choice of venue sparked curiosity, as one of the honored acts was Joy Division—a famously somber Manchester post-punk band. The remaining members of Joy Division later formed New Order, and the Hall is recognizing both groups together.

Oasis and Their American Connection

Oasis, hailing from the same city as Joy Division, are being inducted the year after their largest U.S. tour. The event saw their performances sell out two nights at the 90,000-capacity Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. However, Liam Gallagher has expressed reluctance to attend the ceremony in November, dismissing it as “some geriatric in a cowboy hat.” Noel Gallagher, meanwhile, visited the Hall of Fame in Cleveland in 2017, acknowledging the honor but joking that it “won’t be happening” for him.

“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 said.

Sade’s Historic Achievement

Sade, led by singer Sade Adu, stands out as the first British Black woman inducted into the Hall. Their success in the U.S. far surpasses their UK chart performance, with their 2010 album *Soldier of Love* debuting at number one and selling 500,000 copies in its first week. Adu, born in Nigeria but raised in the UK from age four, is celebrated for hits like “Your Love is King,” “Smooth Operator,” and “Sweetest Taboo.”

Iron Maiden’s Long-Awaited Induction

Iron Maiden, who first entered the Hall’s consideration in 2021, will finally be inducted after being re-nominated in 2023. Frontman Bruce Dickinson has openly critiqued the process, calling it “run by a bunch of sanctimonious Americans who wouldn’t know rock’n’roll if it hit them in the face.” In 2023, he told the *Telegraph*, “I don’t want to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, because we’re not dead yet!”

Billy Idol and the Non-British Acts

Billy Idol, known for tracks like “White Wedding” and “Rebel Yell,” is joining the Hall after a prior nomination. Unlike Oasis and Iron Maiden, he has publicly embraced the honor, stating, “You really get a chance to thank your fans. That’s what I like about it.” He previously performed at the ceremony in 2022, supporting Ozzy Osbourne. The two non-British acts in this year’s class are the late soul singer Luther Vandross and the hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan.