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 welcome an unprecedented number of British artists, including Oasis, heavy metal icons Iron Maiden, and the smooth jazz ensemble Sade. The list of six acts, out of eight inductees, features Manchester’s Joy Division and New Order, which are being recognized as a single entity, as well as Phil Collins and rocker Billy Idol. The previous highest count of British inductees in a single year was five, achieved in 2019 with Radiohead, The Cure, Def Leppard, Roxy Music, and The Zombies. Notably, 2021 saw no British entries at all.
Inductees Revealed
The 2026 honourees were announced during an episode of ABC’s *American Idol*, with presenter Ryan Seacrest and judge Lionel Richie sharing the news. Richie, a Hall of Fame inductee in 2022 for his solo work, joined the ceremony, though his band The Commodores have never been recognized. The choice of the show as a platform for the announcement raised eyebrows, especially since Joy Division, known for their somber sound, was among the names read out.
Liam Gallagher’s Reaction
Before the induction, Liam Gallagher had expressed skepticism, dismissing the Hall of Fame as “some geriatric in a cowboy hat.” However, he later tweeted: “Reverse psychology vibes in the area, Oasis RNR hall of farmers, I mean famers.” A fan quipped: “Not too good for it after all x,” prompting Gallagher to reply: “Nope.” When asked about his acceptance speech, he added: “Well I’ll obv bring a box of chocolates and flowers and apologise to the organisers for my ignorance.” He later shared: “I wanna thank all the people who voted for us it’s a real honour ever since I was a little kid and singing in the shower I’d dream about 1 day being in the RnR hall of tame it’s true what they say anything is possible if you have a dream LG x.”
While Gallagher initially resisted the honor, the band’s inclusion marks a significant milestone. Joy Division, now rebranded as New Order, will be celebrated together for their legacy. The group’s transformation into New Order led to major US success, including a recording contract with Quincy Jones and performances at the Hollywood Bowl. This recognition on *American Idol* isn’t their first unexpected connection to US television; in 1993, they performed on *Top of the Pops* while filming *Baywatch*, featuring a cameo by David Hasselhoff.
Historical Context
More than two decades after becoming eligible for the Hall of Fame, Iron Maiden are finally inducted. The band first received nominations in 2021 and again in 2023. Their frontman, Bruce Dickinson, has been vocal about his reservations, criticizing the Hall of Fame during an Australian spoken word tour: “It’s run by a bunch of sanctimonious Americans who wouldn’t know rock’n’roll if it hit them in the face,” he said. Dickinson also noted: “We need to stop taking Prozac and start drinking beer.” He reiterated his stance in a 2023 *Telegraph* interview: “I don’t want to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, because we’re not dead yet!”
Billy Idol, whose hits include “White Wedding” and the US chart-topper “Mony Mony,” is also joining the ranks. Phil Collins, previously honored in 2010 as part of Genesis, completes the list. Sade, the band led by singer Sade Adu, stands out for their American success. Adu, born in Nigeria but raised in the UK since age four, is the first British Black woman inducted into the Hall. Their acclaimed tracks like “Your Love is King” and “Smooth Operator” have cemented their global appeal.
Legacy and Impact
Oasis, who also originated from Manchester, will be inducted the year after their largest US tour. The event saw both nights at the 90,000-capacity Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California, sell out. Noel Gallagher, in a 2017 interview with *Rolling Stone*, admitted to visiting the Cleveland museum but joked: “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 won’t be doing it.” Despite his earlier doubts, Gallagher’s band now holds a place in the Hall, reflecting their enduring influence.