Iron Maiden, Phil Collins, Oasis, Wu-Tang Clan, Billy Idol, P!nk, Jeff Buckley, The Black Crowes, INXS, Joy Division/New Order, and more have been named as part of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame nominee list for the class of 2026. Others in the finalists list of 17 names of stars include Sade, Lauren Hill, Maria Carey,  New Edition, Shakira, Melissa Etheridge, and Luther Vandross to round out the class. Ten of this year’s hopefuls are on the ballot for the first time (nominees must have released their first commercial recordings at least 25 years prior). This year’s inductees, voted on by more than 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals, will be announced in April, along with inductees in three special committee categories: Musical influence, musical excellence and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award. Oddly, the Rock Hall has still not co-signed some of the greatest Rock Metal bands of the last 35 years, with even a cursory nomination, including Alice In Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Linkin Park, System of A Down, Korn, or Deftones, to name a just few. Fans can vote every day until the fan vote closes in late March or early April, but the fan vote only counts for 1% of the voting numbers, so it is not much of an impact for hopefuls. Continue reading →