2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Recap: Best Moments

U2 crashed the Rock Corridor ceremony, opening the present with a shock two-song set a day after releasing their new album, Carnaval De Luz. The band wasn’t on the invoice — they have been inducted again in 2005, their first yr of eligibility — however they kicked off the evening with “Silencio,” the album’s second single, joined by a line of performers dressed as riot police and carrying shields, then closed with 1984’s “Satisfaction (Within the Title of Love).” The twofer from the Corridor of Fame vets set the tone for a night of legends solely.

Attempting to match Luther Vandross’ velvety vocals is a thankless job, however Usher was up for the problem, paying tribute to the late R&B legend with a easy medley of “So Superb,” “By no means Too A lot” and “Right here and Now,” a prime 10 Billboard Sizzling 100 hit in 1990. He nailed the heat of Luther’s voice, however Usher additionally made certain to go away in his personal signature dance strikes for “By no means Too A lot” to make it his personal.

Oprah Winfrey, Vandross’ good friend and fan, nodded to the swag Usher channeled for the efficiency in her induction speech, saying, “The New York Instances known as him the King of the Soul Ballad. He was praised by critics because the Pavarotti of Pop. Each are so true, however I believe maybe extra correct was when Luther was named the highest artist that individuals made like to.”

Neither Sade the singer nor her namesake band have been within the constructing for his or her Rock Corridor induction, however the Nigerian-British icon loomed giant thanks partially to an intro bundle that included a really complimentary Drake interview, with the Canadian rapper praising her “haunting” music and declaring: “There are not any unhealthy Sade songs.”

Working example: The band’s 1985 prime 5 Sizzling 100 hit “Easy Operator,” which rising British star Sienna Spiro lined after an introduction from fellow Sade superfan Andra Day. “There’ll solely be one Sade,” Day mentioned — however fellow Londoner Spiro introduced her personal powerhouse vocals to the tune to honor the absent famous person.

In some of the hanging performances of the evening, Cynthia Erivo lined “Within the Air Tonight” in honor of inductee Phil Collins — who was beforehand inducted into the Rock Corridor as a part of Genesis — and Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker joined her for some of the iconic drum breaks in all of pop music. It was an ideal illustration of the ability of Collins’ profession, between the wonderful, haunting songwriting and the drum-forward manufacturing, and Erivo and Barker have been an electrical pair.

Barker additionally gave a speech in tribute to Collins, saying of his balancing act between taking part in in Genesis and his solo profession: “He wasn’t simply profitable at each; he was one of many finest at each.”

In his personal speech, Collins additionally put the drums middle stage, noting, “I grew up desirous to play drums. Every thing else has been a contented accident.”

Chris Rock gave a note-perfect introduction to Wu-Tang Clan, declaring: “Wu-Tang didn’t go away Staten Island; they took it with them.” He additionally added to their many catchphrases when he mentioned, “Wu-Tang is for the youngsters, Wu-Tang is without end, and now Wu-Tang is within the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame.”

All 9 residing members attended the ceremony, with the group paying tribute to late rapper Ol’ Soiled Bastard all through. RZA had the lengthiest speech of the group, whereas Technique Man saved it mild by saying, “I wish to thank all people that believed in us, together with the Corridor of Fame. And for everyone that didn’t, you’ll be able to kiss my inducted a–.”

The group additionally took the stage for a medley that included “C.R.E.A.M.” and “Wu‐Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta F’ Wit,” in addition to ODB’s son Younger Soiled Bastard taking up for his dad on “Shimmy Shimmy Ya.”

A variety of headlines forward of Saturday’s ceremony centered on who wasn’t going to be in attendance, together with the beforehand warring, now-touring-again Gallagher brothers. However Higher Name Saul star Bob Odenkirk wasn’t too shocked by the information that Oasis had opted out.

“Anyone stunned they didn’t present up?” Odenkirk requested the group, instantly including, “They didn’t wish to be right here! It might have been out of character if that they had. I might’ve nervous about them.”

In his intro, Odenkirk mentioned he listened to their music to get pumped up earlier than taking part in Breaking Unhealthy legal professional Saul Goodman. “I performed Oasis songs daily earlier than stepping on set. … If I wanted that injection of swagger, power, moxie, I wanted a dose of Viagra for the ego.”

In Oasis’ absence, Stephen Wilson Jr. put a country-rock spin on their 1995 smash “Wonderwall.”

With Queen Latifah and MC Lyte each being inducted into the Rock Corridor in the identical yr, it solely made sense that their paths would overlap, similar to they’ve within the music trade as pioneers of hip-hop.

MC Lyte was inducted first, with an introduction from fellow feminine MC Remy Ma, whereas Megan Thee Stallion inducted Queen later within the evening (with a crown fittingly positioned atop her head). Each ladies shouted one another out of their speeches — they usually additionally shouted out their respective sororities, to huge whoops from the group. And at last, they took the stage collectively for a medley of their hits (together with Meg and Remy), proving that U-N-I-T-Y all the time goes a great distance in lifting different ladies up within the traditionally male-dominated style.

“Thanks to my sisters within the identify of hip-hop,” Queen mentioned throughout her speech. “Thanks, MC Lyte. If it wasn’t for Lyte, I don’t know if I might have identified this was actually doable. However after I heard Lyte rap, I used to be like, ‘Yo, what’s that? I wish to try this!’ … After which we met, and we simply hit it off like sisters. We simply had a lot enjoyable doing this factor we love.”

Identical to his unpredictable profession, Rick Rubin additionally had some of the surprising tributes of the evening. It began with a 10-minute-plus monologue/stand-up routine from Neil Younger as he led the group by means of Rubin’s winding work historical past and was book-ended by a speech that made up for the rock legend’s verbosity.

“You may’t kill rock & roll,” Rubin succinctly acknowledged after which rapidly left the mic.

Nevertheless it was a pair of musical performances that have been the actual Rubin highlights. First, the Crimson Sizzling Chilli Peppers — all hysterically carrying Rubin’s signature lengthy hair-and-beard combo — hit the stage to carry out “Give It Away,” from the Rubin-produced 1991 basic album Blood Sugar Intercourse Magik. Then the present ended with Aerosmith and Run-DMC becoming a member of forces for the Rubin brainchild “Stroll This Method.” The pair of musically powerful-yet-slightly offbeat units set simply the correct tone for honoring the yogi producer.

You may’t have fun New Order with out first celebrating the band’s origins as Pleasure Division, which is why the Rock Corridor made the weird transfer of giving a two-fold honor to the group fronted by singer Ian Curtis after which the band that rose after his premature dying with the remaining members.

That two-fold honor was on excellent show Saturday evening due to a efficiency that included bassist Peter Hook jamming with Deftones’ Chino Moreno and CHVRCHES’ Lauren Mayberry for Pleasure Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Aside” and New Order’s “Weird Love Triangle.”

As Trent Reznor mentioned whereas introducing them, “There are solely two kinds of folks on this world: Those that already know simply how influential Pleasure Division and New Order are, and people whose favourite bands — akin to U2, Radiohead, The Remedy, The Killers, Nirvana, Depeche Mode — how completely different they might sound if Pleasure Division and New Order by no means existed.”

Presenter Jack Black let everybody know early in his speech that Iron Maiden wouldn’t be within the constructing for the Rock Corridor ceremony (“They aren’t even right here tonight as a result of they’re rocking a world tour as they’ve been for the final 50 years!” he mentioned proudly), however the metal-loving actor got here bearing unhealthy information/excellent news. As a result of performing 1983’s “The Trooper” of their stead can be “a supergroup the likes of which have by no means been seen.”

“I’m speaking about guitar god John 5. I’m speaking about Brad Will from Rage Towards the Machine. I’m speaking about Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo of Metallica. And on lead vocals, we obtained St. Vincent!”

Black then mashed up all their names for this supergroup title: “Give it up for the St. Rage-a-tallica 5!”

The onerous rock showcase didn’t disappoint, with St. Vincent taking the lead and superfan Black even chiming in for some harmonies.

As the ultimate inductee of the evening, Billy Idol had a strong showcase, between an intro from No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal, a solo efficiency of “Insurgent Yell” in addition to a Stefani duet on “Eyes With out a Face,” and a 10-minute-plus speech shared together with his longtime guitarist and songwriting collaborator Steve Stevens.

And it was the enjoyment of Idol’s speech that ended the night on a excessive observe, with him imparting knowledge to the subsequent potential honorees. “To all of the younger folks on the market … now it’s your flip. Go make the inconceivable doable. Discover out who you’re and be it.”

Oh, and one very last thing: “Now I’m going to get together with the Wu-Tang Clan!”