Iron Maiden and The Black Crowes Lead Diverse Roster of 2026 Rock Hall Nominees

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame officially announced its Class of 2026 nominees today, February 25, featuring a wide-reaching list of 17 artists spanning heavy metal, Britpop, R&B, and hip-hop.

Heavy metal icons Iron Maiden have returned to the ballot for the third time, while the recently reunited The Black Crowes are vying for induction for the second consecutive year. Notably, 10 of the 17 nominees are appearing on the ballot for the first time.
The 2026 Nominees:

The Black Crowes

Jeff Buckley (First-time nominee)

Mariah Carey

Phil Collins (First-time as solo artist; previously inducted with Genesis)

Melissa Etheridge (First-time nominee)

Lauryn Hill (First-time nominee)

Billy Idol

INXS (First-time nominee)

Iron Maiden

Joy Division/New Order

New Edition (First-time nominee)

Oasis

P!NK (First-time nominee)

Sade

Shakira (First-time nominee)

Luther Vandross (First-time nominee)

Wu-Tang Clan (First-time nominee)

Selection Process: The final inductees will be chosen by a voting body of over 1,200 artists, historians, and industry professionals. Fans can also participate via the "Fan Vote" on the official Rock Hall website.

Announcement: The official Class of 2026 inductees will be revealed in April 2026.

Eligibility: Artists become eligible 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording.

While Iron Maiden has been eligible since 2004, they have famously been snubbed in previous years. Bassist Steve Harris and vocalist Bruce Dickinson have historically expressed indifference toward the institution, with Dickinson famously calling the Hall a "mausoleum." However, their inclusion on the ballot remains a major talking point for metal fans worldwide.