The house was packed for the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday evening (November 14). The event — which took place at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater — saw the induction of 18 honorees.
The performer category included: Wu-Tang Clan, Luther Vandross, Sade, Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, and Oasis.
Honored with the Early Influence Award was: MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Celia Cruz, Gram Parsons, and Fela Kuti. Rick Rubin, Linda Creed, Arif Mardin, and Jimmy Miller received the Musical Excellence Award.
Finally, Ed Sullivan received the Ahmet Ertegun Award. The honor is given to nonperforming industry professionals who had a major influence on music. Sullivan was credited for having a profound impact on Rock & Roll and American culture via his weekly ‘Ed Sullivan Show.’ The program featured and platformed over 10,000 artists, who were able to perform and reach a national audience.
2026 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame: Remy Ma And Megan Thee Stallion Pay Tribute To MC Lyte & Queen Latifah
While honoring MC Lyte, fellow female rapper Remy Ma introduced her and later performed a tribute. Then, Megan Thee Stallion inducted Queen Latifah and honored her with a tribute performance, joined by Remy.
2026 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame: Usher & Oprah Honor Luther Vandross
Then, while paying tribute to the late R&B legend Luther Vandross, Usher shared a smooth medley hits like, “So Amazing,” “Never Too Much” and “Here and Now.” Later, Oprah Winfrey took the stage as a friend and fan of Vandross and acknowledged Usher’s swag and continued to honor the late singer.
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2026 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame: Chris Rock Inducts Wu-Tang Clan
Later, Drake, joined by Sienna Spiro, gave Sade her flowers, and Cynthia Erivo and Travis Barker honored Phil Collins. Additionally, Chris Rock inducted Wu-Tang Clan. During his speech, Rock said, “Wu-Tang didn’t leave Staten Island; they took it with them. He added, “Wu-Tang is for the children, Wu-Tang is forever, and now Wu-Tang is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.”
10 members accepted the induction (Masta Killa, Allah Mathematics, Method Man, U-God, RZA, GZA, Raekwon, Cappadonna, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck). During their speech, they paid tribute to fellow member and late rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
Group creator RZA had the lengthiest speech of the group, while Method Man kept it light by saying, “I want to thank everybody that believed in us, including the Hall of Fame. And for everybody that didn’t, you can kiss my inducted a**.”
Finally, Wu-Tang took the stage to perform a medley of hits like “C.R.E.A.M.” and “Wu‐Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta F’ Wit.” Additionally, ODB’s son Young Dirty Bastard hopped in for his dad on “Shimmy Shimmy Ya.”