The class of 2026 Rock Hall inductees includes Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan.
CLEVELAND — There was a push earlier this year from Nancy Wilson of Heart to get radio icon Howard Stern inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the class of 2026.
“I suggest that you all talk about putting him on the special list for this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” Wilson said in an Instagram video back on Feb. 26. “Howard Stern. Let’s go!”
But when the 2026 inductees were announced Monday night, Stern was not included on the list.
HOW STERN COULD BE INDUCTED
So how could Stern be cemented in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame even though he’s not a performer? He would fall under the Ahmet Ertegun Award category, which “includes non-performing industry professionals who have had a major influence on the creative development and growth of rock ‘n’ roll and music that has impacted youth culture.”
The other induction categories include:
- Early Influence Award: This category includes artists whose music and performance style have directly influenced, inspired and evolved rock ‘n’ roll and music impacting culture.
- Musical Excellence Award: This category includes artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.
After she made her plea to the Rock Hall, Stern said he was “quite honored” by Wilson’s comments.
“So thank you, Nancy Wilson. I was very flattered,” he said on his SiriusXM show last month. “To me, it doesn’t matter if I win or not. The fact that someone as hot as Nancy Wilson, who is that great a guitarist, would even know my name is what really matters to me.”
Wilson was inducted into the Rock Hall as a member of Heart with the class of 2013.
And if he’s ever inducted?
“I would be fun because my acceptance speech would be funny,” Stern said last month. “I would at least make it funny. I think it would be good for the television broadcast.”
Stern previously participated in the 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland as he had the honor of inducting Bon Jovi.
MEET THE CLASS OF 2026
So who was picked for induction this year? Here’s all 18 inductees and the category in which they’re being honored:
PERFORMERS
– Phil Collins (first-time nominee as a solo artist, previously inducted as a member of Genesis in 2010)
– Luther Vandross (first-time nominee)
– Wu-Tang Clan (first-time nominee)
EARLY INFLUENCE AWARD
MUSICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD
